More than Fellowship

Fellowship - living in relationship with others - is a vital part of church life. We cannot escape the social dimension of church involvement.

Nor should we attempt to escape it. Those who call themselves Christian, yet cut themselves off from spiritual community, do not understand how spiritual growth and spiritual vitality are inseparably linked to spiritual friends. They become like a glowing ember removed from the fire. Without the heat from the fire and the other embers, the isolated ember gradually loses its flame and dies out. Our spiritual health is inseparably linked to our involvement in Christian community. But, then, attempting to go-it-alone is nothing new. The writer of the book of Hebrews exhorted his readers, "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some," 10:24-25. The New Testament bears no record of a Lone Ranger Christian.

But what kind of fellowship nurtures spiritual growth, vitality, and health?

Back in the dark ages when I was growing up, church was the center of our social life as teens. Oh, we dated and went to the movies (at a drive-in theater, no less!), but our fellowship with a larger group was with our church group, generally in church-related or church-sponsored activities. (I was blessed to be a part of a strong, vibrant youth group.)

Our experience was not that uncommon. Before the advent of the automobile, Sunday was a day of community fellowship built around morning worship at 11, a covered dish meal, and an afternoon service that ended in time to get back home to do the chores before dark. (Starting morning worship at 11 allowed the chores to get done while a covered dish dinner was prepared.) As more people drove cars, that schedule shifted to morning and evening worship, but still the social dimension was key.

The social dimension of church life is evident today in adult Sunday School classes. Some attend Sunday School and skip worship because (I would guess) of the social dimension of the class (and/or their dislike of the preacher!). Classes have seasonal parties and covered dish dinners and game days. Many (most?) Christian people have few non-Christian friends because their social circle is through their church involvement.

While this pattern was true during the era of Christendom, it is not as true today. More options exist today for social relationships that don't involve a Sunday or meeting in a church building. One of the primary options today is our kids' activities and sporting events. These events bring us together on a regular basis with the same people and a common interest. These social relationships become our circle of friends.

The social dimension of church life that I have described in these four paragraphs is not the kind of fellowship that fosters spiritual growth, vitality, and health. It allows us to build friendships and social networks, but it does not automatically translate into spiritual development.

The New Testament word that is commonly translated as fellowship carried the idea of sharing - sharing life, sharing the spiritual journey, sharing one's struggles and victories, sharing one's failures and successes. Acts 2:42, 44-47 describe a spiritual community intentionally built (devoted themselves) around learning the ways of God that Jesus taught (the apostles' teachings), seeking to live out those teachings in Christian community (fellowship - compare Acts 2:44-47), sharing everyday life together (breaking of bread), and praying with/for one another (the prayers). This fellowship went beyond social relationships to spiritual friendships. These early believers supported one another in their efforts to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus.  (See Acts 4:23-31 for an example of the kind of sharing and praying together that the early church experienced.) The kind of fellowship these early Christ-followers experienced fosters spiritual growth, spiritual vitality, and spiritual health.

In last week's blog (More Than Sunday School, February 4, 2019), I spoke of moving beyond religious education to a focus on spiritual formation. Spiritual formation that results in the transformation of heart and mind is the result of seeking to put into practice what we are learning. Study that does not include an intentional effort to live into the truths we are learning does not produce spiritual growth, vitality, or health. More study, information, content, and input is not what is needed. Growing as a disciple requires us to put into practice what Jesus taught. (See Acts 10:1 - 11:18 for a case study of spiritual growth, based on the experience of Peter.) The kind of fellowship described in Acts 2 and 4 provides a vital resource to such growth. Sharing our spiritual journey with a small group of trusted spiritual friends who pray with and for us is the kind of fellowship that leads to spiritual growth, spiritual vitality, and spiritual health.

Which makes me wonder: can our institutional, religious education based approach to church life actually be a barrier to such fellowship and the spiritual growth it fosters?

It seems to me the emerging church is rediscovering the rich fellowship of home-based groups of spiritual friends focused on learning and living the ways of God that Jesus taught.