Christian living Quote by Philip Yancey
““Family is the one human institution we have no choice over. We get in simply by being born, and as a result we are involuntarily thrown together with a menagerie of strange and unlike people. Church calls for another step: to voluntarily choose to band together with a strange menagerie because of a common bond in Jesus Christ. I have found that such a community more resembles a family than any other human institution. Henri Nouwen once defined a community as “a place where the person you least want to live with always lives.” His definition applies equally to the group that gathers each Thanksgiving and the group that congregates each Sunday morning. (p. 64-65, Church: Why Bother?)””
About This Quote
Source Book: Church: Why Bother?, 2005
Family is an involuntary bond; church invites voluntary community based on shared faith, resembling a chosen family.
In simple terms: Family is given; church offers a chosen family through faith.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate intentional, faith‑based community.
Themes
family
faith
community
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
theological
social
When to use this quote
- church groups
- family gatherings
- small groups
- online faith forums
Key Concepts
voluntary association
spiritual belonging
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a faith community feel like family?
- How can churches foster genuine belonging?
A Different Perspective
Voluntary bonds may not replace deep familial ties.
