Admittedly, it has been a bit since my last post.  I am happy to report that during this time, I have finished my tax preparation for my accountant.  Now that I have that behind me, I can refocus once again.

To recap where we were, we are looking at the three legs of the Tripod For Church Success.  (In your head, imagine that last part being read by the guy who does the movie preview voice overs.  It will sound much more dramatic)

The second leg in the Tripod of Church Success is the leg of fellowship. I honestly believe it is one of the most underdeveloped legs in the American church, and this underdevelopment has had a powerful impact on the impotency of the church.

What is fellowship? Let’s first look at what it is not. Some erroneously believe it is one and the same with church membership. If you are a member, you are part of the fellowship. Others believe that showing up at church every time the doors are open equates to fellowship. People are sometimes admonished regarding their church absences that they should not be forsaking the fellowship of believers. Thus equating attendance with fellowship.

Let’s take a moment to honestly look at our individual church experiences. I can name multiple ‘members’ of different churches who were recluses. They are members, but to most in the church they are strangers. Many who attend church every time the doors are open are the same. As soon as they are open at the end of service, they are the first to bolt out the door, and you best not be in their path, because you will probably get run over.

So, after all that, what is fellowship?

  1. Fellowship is deliberate and takes time. It is more than just the hey how are you that typically takes place after church service.
  2. Fellowship is the vehicle by which we are drawn close to each other to care for each other and to hold each other accountable. I cannot care for you well if I barely know you, and I cannot hold you accountable or you hold me accountable if we do not have a relationship deep enough to allow and survive such interaction.
  3. Fellowship is sweet. When God’s people fellowship, they should feel like they are in the sweetest place on earth (even sweeter than Hershey, Pa). When we fellowship we are acting as God’s family and therein lies the sweetness.
  4. Fellowship involves openness. If I am in a relationship with you, and I am not open with you, I can never feel close to you. Why? Because without openness, I never really know if you accept me for me. Think about your relationships. The more open you are with someone, the closer you will feel to them.
  5. Fellowship is God’s design. This is why we are admonished not to forsake it. The question is, are you willing to risk your time, your heart, and your agenda to truly experience God’s best for you?

So what is our leg challenge for this week?

As individuals, we need to evaluate how much true fellowship we are getting. Are we building relationships with our brothers and sisters to a level beyond casual. Some of us are great at this, some may need some work. Only you can tell. Maybe it is time clear some spots in our schedule God’s relational agenda.

As churches, I think there is a temptation to overlook the degree of importance this has in the life of a believer. I think it is time to consider having church functions that do not include a Bible study. One where fellowship is the top priority. Christians dedicate a lot of time to the functions of the church, and I believe the church needs to do a better job of deliberately creating environments for the third leg to develop. Some people will not do something unless the church has a function to do it in. Realizing this, we need to meet people where they are, and use this wonderful aspect of Christian living to take them to the next level.  The church needs to treat fellowship on equal status with doctrinal learning, and not like a red headed step child.

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