If you know Reade Hall at all you would know the irony in the title of this article because it is the honors hall at Valdosta State. There is a wide spectrum of wonderful people who call this place home and because they are all so intelligent they LOVE to challenge everything. Their are residents who are on fire for Christ and others' who love to debate every little aspect of Christianity.I have fallen in love with each and every one of the residents' that reside there because of their intentionality with me. Even though I am just one of several front desk workers, this tiny little hall will forever have a place in my heart. I feel like this is how everyone should feel walking into a place of worship with this sense of unity and a feeling of home.
You are not just a number when you are apart of the Reade Hall community it's like you have suddenly become their new brother or sister. I feel like sometimes churches get so focused on the numbers and growth, but forget that the heart of their numbers boils down to the people. When you are just chilling in the lobby it doesn't matter who's sitting there with you, the conversation will just flow and instantly you'll be talking about their best friends' wedding or the same professor you guys had together. That is why small groups are so highly encouraged in Christian settings because they make people feel valued and important when surrounded by hundreds of strange faces in such a vastly larger church. Valdosta is a campus of over twelve thousand students, but you wouldn't know that when you are sitting in Reade hall because they have a way making you feel like the elite students on campus. They take the time to get know your heart and if you return the favor, soon enough they will find a way to always be there for you. They'll surprise you about remembering something you were struggling with and having a smile on their face every time they realize you are there. The church should be aware of their congregation struggles and they shouldn't have to find out two weeks later from an old information card. The worst is when the pastor finds out through a Facebook post, the people of a church should feel so comfortable to share their struggles openly with the place that should accept them the most. Just like every time I walk into Reade hall, the genuineness of simply the greeters at a church or campus ministry should be pouring out of those who are serving as soon as someone walks through the doors. A church should never become too big that the pastor does intentionally get to speak to newcomers every week. If a campus of such an ample amount of students can create a hall with such tight knit community, then surely a group of common believers can come together as one.
The accountability that these people have for me after just them seeing me a couple hours each week is relevant in my daily life. For example, if you spend enough time with a group of people they will begin to know the depths of your heart and struggles. As many residents were aware last semester I was lucky if I went to bed before 3 am and that reflected through my grades even if I was up studying those nights. So this semester I have attempted to go to bed earlier, which is really awesome when I walk into Reade around 12 am after a desk shift in another hall and they are on my case about being asleep. That is just the surface of how much support these wonderful people give me to be successful in life. The late night Jesus talks and just advice about life will never be forgotten. This is how anyone should be about church, I know at the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) on campus we are encouraged to find accountability partners. These are the people in our life who basically tell us when we need to get our crap together, but encourage us when we are actually acting right. Just imagine if a whole church congregation was each others' accountability partners? If the church as a whole had a time where people openly admitted each others' successes and failures like on stage, but there was no judgment just pure encouragement for them to get closer to Christ. Imagine how many lives would be changed if people were more open about our their daily struggles with their church family.
The willingness of these residents to expand their knowledge, whether it be through a heated debate or reading new material is beyond all belief. As Christians sometimes people are satisfied with where they are at in life because when they compare themselves to others' they feel as though they are okay. As a Christian, we need to constantly be challenging each other because when you begin to accept a lukewarm walk with Christ that is when you are hindering yourself. Read the bible, watch YouTube videos of sermons, and at the end of the day never stop challenging your relationship with Christ. Be like the Reade Hall residents, I am not saying you have to constantly question your walk of faith, but JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOUR SINS why would you not want to live more for him. Challenge yourself in ways you never thought before simply because don't ever be satisfied with where you are at now in reality there is always room for improvement.
There are believers who are living their life fully for Christ, but I wrote this article for those who don't always reflect their life the same everywhere they go or aren't on fire for Christ like they need to be. So I am not saying Christians need to be like Reade Hall, but create a foundation that welcomes change and always be willing to stand up for what you believe in.