Fellowship

Those who know me, know that I cringe when I hear the words fellowship and church used together in a sentence. So it may surprise you to hear me say, “I want more fellowship…in the church.” In the past I think I recoil when I hear the words church fellowship (tea, banquet, pot-luck, social, fellowship meal, holy huddle, meat and greet, chit-chat and chowder, crafts and conversations, etc.) because I started to feel like I went to seminary to become a church cruise director.

The church calendar is filled with insider meetings to help us feel connected. I know for me growing up the church wasn’t just something I went to on Sunday morning. The week seemed to revolve around the different church activities throughout the week (Sunday School, Sunday evening meetings, bible studies, choir, youth group, committee meetings, socials, etc.). To be honest we didn’t need to make friends with our neighbors because (1) they were heathens and (2) we were never home. As a result I am probably not very good at talking with and reaching out to my neighbors.

Some people feel very safe (comfortable, welcomed, connected etc.) inside the church walls, but we are called to “go make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20). So we have tried to walk this line between our love for church fellowship and our need to do church outreach, but what if I told you fellowship does not mean what you think it means? Could we be taking a word and twisting it to fit our desires?

In Philippians 1 Paul thanks the church for their “partnership in the Gospel” (v. 5). The word partnership is the Greek word koinonia which is where we get our English word fellowship. The Lexham Theological Wordbook translates the word koinonia as fellowship, communion, sharing, and partnership. It defines the word koinonia as “a term that conveys a sense of commonality, solidarity, and shared responsibility among households or individuals.” Think of it this way. At home when the kids are starting to get out of control and you look to your spouse for help (shared responsibility) you are not looking for them to plan a potluck (pot blessing, carry in, Jell-O swap, etc.), you want them to engage in the mission. When we think of fellowship  to we should think of it as more of a shared conviction than an event. A conviction that leads to mutual responsibility and action.

Paul is not thankful for the Philippian church because the have a killer coffee bar. He is thankful that they share in his desire to advance the Gospel. Everyone who knows me knows I don’t need another cookie and I don’t like awkward conversations in the church “fellowship hall.” I do need more fellowship at church though. I need more authentic relationships, partners in advancing the Gospel, friends who are convicted that the Gospel is just as powerful today as it was back in the day. I need (desire) to be a part of a growing community who seek and save the lost. I hope to be encouraged by people who want to reach outside there comfort zones. I desire partners in missions not more donuts, but I also really like donuts.