Religious surveys conducted by organizations like the Barna group and others have shown that the “more friendships a person has in a congregation, the less likely they are to become inactive or leave.”
I recently read one survey of over 400 people who were asked why they left the church. More than 75% responded, “I didn’t feel anyone cared whether I was there or not.”
Fellowship is one of the five important components found in the first century church (Acts 2:42-47). The Jerusalem Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Fellowship is community. Communion. And comradeship. The word, as used in the Bible. speaks to our divine association with God. And with each other. It is joint-participation. Partnership. And commonality in Christ.
Fellowship fuels our zeal by mutual encouragement, spiritual edification, and sharing together the joy of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the depth of our love for God and one another.
The author of Hebrews exhorted, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”
The admonition to “stir up” is rendered, “stimulate,” “encourage,” or “spur one another on,” is in other translations. It speaks to providing the necessary motivation, impetus, or fuel to accomplish God’s work. The mutual stimulus is fellowship in action.
Fellowship is…
…contributing to the needs of the saints. (Rom 12:13).
…practicing hospitality (Ac 2:46).
….sharing your faith (Phile 6).
….mutual participation during the Communion service as minds collectively focus on Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor 10:16-17).
…enjoying divine association with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (1 Cor 1:9; 2 Cor 13:14).
…walking together in the light of the Lord and receiving cleansing from our sins (1 John 1:7).
…weeping with those that weep; and rejoicing with those that rejoice (Rom 12:15).
…sharing in the suffering of Christ together, while knowing we will be partakers together of His glory (1 Pet 5:1).
…bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-2).
…using our talents, gifts, and abilities to build up the collective Body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:12-16).
…caring about our brothers sisters needs, hurts, and challenges (1 Cor. 12:25-26).
…practicing the 59 “one another” commands in the Bible which builds relationships, emphasizes mutual actions, and creates a unique tie that binds us together.
When we fully engage in fellowship we fuel our zeal for the Lord and matters pertaining to the Kingdom. Fellowship facilitates our spiritual growth and development. Provides accountability. Offers a supportive environment. Strengthens spiritual bonds. Fosters good will and unity. Deepens our faith. Fortifies our hope. And enlarges our love.
God has called us not just to believe, but to belong. To belong to Him. To belong to the Body. To belong to the Family. To belong to one another.
Isolation and estrangement will eventually dampen, if not totally extinguish our flame. But fellowship keeps the flame burning. Burning bright. Burning hot. Burning strong.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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