Fellowship
We were blessed by Andy and Adam and their families who came from Geneva to preach on Sunday and then to eat with everyone. Afterwards, we played ping pong and they set up a big table out under the walnut tree and played NERTZ. (No idea how it’s spelled.) 8 young ladies from the Pepperdine program were here for worship and 4 stayed for the AGAPE meal (that’s “potluck”, in Greek). And there were three from Bern with us and a couple of visitors from the neighborhood and most of the members.
A good morning, though few of the members stayed for the AGAPE. Wife and I, and I think the kids too, hunger for fellowship. Except for a few notable exceptions, and praise God for those people, our local church does not always express that same hunger.
How do we, without ignoring the work of God, stimulate the Body’s members to greater fellowship? Any ideas? I ask, because for me fellowship has always been a natural thing… A part of being a Christian.
But now I’m stumped…
A good morning, though few of the members stayed for the AGAPE. Wife and I, and I think the kids too, hunger for fellowship. Except for a few notable exceptions, and praise God for those people, our local church does not always express that same hunger.
How do we, without ignoring the work of God, stimulate the Body’s members to greater fellowship? Any ideas? I ask, because for me fellowship has always been a natural thing… A part of being a Christian.
But now I’m stumped…
September 18th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
You may have already tried this, but I find I get on a more personal level with people when I have had them in my home, a few at a time, for a meal. People open up and share themselves in a setting like this more so, I think, than in a fellowship atmosphere of a larger group or within the confines of a church building, per se. Once I’ve had this experience with them, I feel closer to them when I see them in the larger gatherings. Doris and I have been at our present congregation, which is small, for between 2 and 3 years. We are trying to work our way through the membership and have everybody for a meal in our home, two or three couples at a time, or four or five individuals.
The other thing I thought of was a good, rip-roaring sermon about how fellowship really isn’t an option for the church?
September 18th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
I’ve always been somewhat amazed at those who so desire fellowship, but never open their homes to others and seldom become involved in other opportunities to enjoy fellowship. Sounds like you open your home often but have little reciprocation. I don’t have an answer other than enjoy to the fullest what you do have because it’s very sweet to the Spirit.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Sometimes I think it depends on who you are good friends with or what your family is doing. It is a lot more encouraging to participate when you got close friends and family members that are participating too. I know you should go for God, but that is not always the case for everyone. Sometimes people make the decision on whether or not to go, based on who is and isn’t there. Sometimes a sermon on how fellowship benefits your growth as a Christian, can be helpful. Continue to pray for these members…God will lead you.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I understand the desire and dilemma you face. It’s one thing to desire fellowship and its quite another to make it possible (as has been mentioned). We often comment if one of the problems stems from that fact that people’s dance cards seem to be full and some are not that much interested in adding to their cards.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Greg took my point. The answers to your questions probably go down to what causes human nature.
I know for me, a time of ping-pong and nertz would do it for me.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:25 am
As we have tried to encourage this through the years here, we find that making time ourselves, and then talking about how good it was afterwards, gets some interested for the next time. After the next time, more of us are able to share about what went on and how good it was (leaving others to wonder what they are missing). No condemnation about not going, just expressing that it is great. Some people have simply never experienced real fellowship.
but you knew that.
This approach takes a while