Recently, I watched an American documentary about social capital called “Join or Die.” It addressed the decline of participation in clubs, churches, and other organizations in the last few decades and some of the resulting social problems.
Immediately, I thought of Hebrews 10:24-25, in which the writer to the early church says, “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
People need to get together, working towards common goals. People need community.
Obviously, I see a great deal of value in joining a church since I have dedicated my career to it. Although I agree that churches have not always been the safe and inclusive places they claim to be, and that religious wars have been some of the most brutal and senseless conflicts throughout history, there is part of me that can't help feel that recent anti-religious sentiments in the media are part of a concerted effort to disempower common people.
The social scientist Robert Putnam, featured in the documentary, found several interesting things in his studies over the years. One was that joining a church or social club increases your longevity by nearly 50 per cent, statistically speaking. Another was that communities with high social capital, meaning robust club and church participation, had less government corruption and dishonest business problems.
When people are organized and talking to one another, it is harder for politicians and businesses to get away with bad behaviour. When people organize around values, as they do in churches and service clubs, they become empowered to stand up to those who might be abusing their power. Joining might seem a conforming act on the surface, but it can actually be quite subversive.
A final benefit of having a society with high social capital is that people become less polarized and more accepting of diversity. When people talk to a variety of different people, it puts a human face on various social issues that otherwise would seem abstract.
So, if you want to see Canada be strong, help build our social capital and join something! I suggest a church, but service clubs, social clubs, sports leagues, and community music groups are great too. They will improve your mental health, your longevity, your relationships, your country, and if you join us at church, your spiritual well-being.
Join and live!
Robin Pengelly is the pastor of Castlegar United Church.
