Series of Seven: Fellowship

Ask any person who grew up in the Baptist (or likely Methodist) Church the first word that comes to mind when told the word “fellowship”, and they’ll tell you “potluck”.  And that’s true, often fellowship is done around the table.  That’s the reason why most “Fellowship Halls” are primarily used for eating.  However, there are many other ways to fellowship that don’t involve mystery casseroles, deviled eggs, and trays of ham biscuits.

Acts 2:42 stated that the new converts (this was even before the Apostle Paul) “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  In fact, fellowship comes from the roots “feolaga” meaning “one who shares with another” and “sciepe” meaning “condition of being”, both Old English.  Therefore, to fellowship means “the condition of sharing with another”, which seems a pretty apt description.  To piggyback off the passage from Acts, fellowship happens in the midst of learning from the apostles, partaking of the Eucharist (which is a sacrament!), and praying together.  All of these things involve togetherness and intermingling of people.  Luckily, as an extrovert, I’ve never had much problem with fellowship, as I love being around people.  Meeting new people is actually one of my favorite things to do!  However, I do realize that for introverts, it can be more difficult.  Luckily, with the advent of social media, it is now easier to fellowship “not in person”, for those who may feel uncomfortable in “live” social settings”.  From chat groups to sharing Instagrams to blogging (hey!), all people can come together to fellowship in many ways.

Today, there are many ways we can fellowship.  Obviously, we can fellowship at the proverbial potluck dinner.  We can also fellowship in small group study.  Some of the best part of studying in smaller groups doesn’t necessarily come from studying scripture or a famous theologian, but from connecting with each other.  In fellowship, you learn each others joys and pains, fears and doubts, hopes and dreams.  It is something you cannot get in mere solitary reflection nor in large worship settings.  Additionally, fellowship can transpire into further things, such as grabbing food or going on a hike with someone that you may have gotten to know.  You may not even be discussing anything particularly “Jesusy”, but just because you aren’t, that doesn’t mean you aren’t fellowshipping.  People can also fellowship by serving together, but I’ll get to that at a later date!

So, go forth and fellowship!

Musings Into a Series on A New Set of Seven

Seven is a very important number in the Christian faith.  The world was created in seven parts (often seen as “days”).  There are seven sacraments in the Catholic and Orthodox faiths.  The seven holy days.  The plethora of sevens in Revelation.  It goes on.  So I thought that making a list of seven things Christians should strive to do would be a good thing.  Over the next few days, I’ll (hopefully) write a post on each, but here are all of them…

1. Contemplation
2. Fellowship
3. Worship
4. Study
5. Service
6. Understanding
7. Joy

Now, you may ask, “Where is prayer?  Where is Bible reading?  Where is evangelism?”  I made these as all-encompassing things which would include all things, though in different, broader ways.

Additionally, I believe that all of these things should be done as much as possible, but barring any out-of-the-ordinary predicaments (illness/injury, vacation, overtime work, exam week, etc), each thing should be done a minimum of weekly, some daily.

Also, super glad to be back blogging!