Page 54 - Finding Jesus with Good News report A5 WEB

Losing friends

It’s important to recognise that it really does cost
people to become Christians, even in a pluralistic,
liberal society like the UK. Various recent studies
have revealed that for most Christians, non-
Christian friends and colleagues respond to their
faith with ‘positive indifference’ or ‘warm apathy’.
While this was the case for some participants,
many reported negative responses to their
newfound faith, and shared examples of ruptures
in relationships. For some, this was the result of
lifestyle changes. Because they were no longer
drinking heavily, or their values and priorities had
changed, it created distance with existing friends.
This led to a mutual distancing and then a drifting
apart. For others, it was more drastic. A few shared
how friends or family members had reacted badly
to the news of their conversion, and some had
been totally dropped or excluded by them.
It’s clear from these patterns of experience
that as people come to faith, they need
considerable support from Christian friends and
faith communities, and we heard repeatedly
how valuable it was when it was received. This
might be support to help them develop spiritual
practices of their own, ongoing support as they
wrestle with questions, grace and patience for the
sometimes bumpy early days of discipleship, and
a community that will embrace them, particularly
if they experience hostility and rejection.

54 Finding Jesus