Made to Belong

Five Practices for Cultivating Community in a Disconnected World

By: David Kim

Narrated by: David Kim

Read by the author.

Author and pastor David Kim shares his experiences with loneliness as a Korean American immigrant and delivers compelling research about belonging that includes the revolutionary five anchors for developing meaningful relationships.

Even though we are connected more than ever--through social media, video calls and texts, and advanced travel opportunities--we're also drowning in loneliness and isolation. As discipleship pastor of WestGate Church in Silicon Valley, David Kim decided to research the reasons why--and uncovered surprising answers.

When Kim moved to America from South Korea as a child, he experienced isolation during his school years. Differences in language, food, and culture spiked an immense desire for an accepting, supportive community. As an adult, he read widely about belonging, and in his survey of more than 1,300 Christians, he discovered that the number-one struggle shared by them is loneliness. Left to ourselves, Kim says, we naturally drift away from God and others, and we begin to believe the lies of the enemy:

• You are all alone. No one else feels this way.
• No one cares about you. How could they?
• God has abandoned you. You were just imagining things before.

In Made to Belong, Kim combats those lies with the incredible hope found in the revolutionary Five Practices for Meaningful Connection:

• Priority: People first, no regrets.
• Chemistry: What, you too?
• Vulnerability: Dangerously safe.
• Empathy: I hear and see you.
• Accountability: I can't carry it, but I can carry you.

True belonging takes intentional effort, but Kim reminds us that we are made to belong--to each other and to Jesus. Through sound wisdom from the Bible, proven research from the social sciences and his own data, and examples from his pastoral ministry and moving personal anecdotes, Kim shows us that we are uniquely designed by God to belong to one another for our flourishing.

Accompanying diagrams and reflection questions are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

I would give 100 stars to this book if I could. This book is a precious gift to me from my Heavenly Father through pastor David

Pastor David is bringing to the surface what I needed to hear and understand about my past experiences with rejection and failures in building meaningful relationships with others. I love everything about this book. It sets me free. I hope with this knowledge God can use me as His vessel to build strong meaningful connections with others and to help others to be and to find true friends. Highly recommend this book to anyone!

MUST READ! Pastors, Leaders, Parents, People

This is a much needed book for the church today. David Kim puts on paper what we’ve all felt but didn’t know how to articulate. As a husband, father of 5 young children, pastor, business owner, and landlord….this book speaks to every aspect of my life. I wish I could buy a copy for every Christian. Thanks for writing this book David. I wish I could buy you lunch and pick your brain too. Be blessed!

Very Timely

This was a very timely read for me in a season where I am needing to rebuild and cultivate healthy community. I am grateful for the principles and guidelines the author details and will be re-reading in order to incorporate them into my journey.