Church is people. Plain and simple.
But I think something is missing from many churches. Seems as though several local churches have become local institutions. Some are academic institutions, some are social institutions, some are just existing. I think that people are missing out on something. I think men in the Church are missing out on something. The bottom line for the Church is people. Plain and simple. The top goal for the Church is to glorify God, and this is done when the Church realizes that it's about people. Ministry is people.
And men are people. But many men are missing. Some are there, but still missing.
I’m convinced that God has created something very special for His people that is very often misunderstood. I believe Christian men are missing this. I believe this special thing attracts men, and it keeps men. It upholds men—enabling us to stand up tall when emotions are down. It ties a tight bond around us that is permanent. Its bond is strong and thick. It protects. It never yields. It never fails.
Its pillars are togetherness, not separateness; godly love, not hate; edification, not tearing down; individuality and unity, not legalism, nor division. It is deep, not shallow. Purposeful, not accidental. Mostly hard to accomplish, not easy. But its foundation is the Savior, and its finishing touches are maximized joy! Its name is Fellowship. And we must have it, for without it, we will die.
Christian men are dying. Slowly, but surely.
Fellowship is misunderstood in many churches. I've witnessed it. Planned fellowship within a local church tends to involve casual discussions regarding day-to-day events, some prayer time, and the study of doctrine. Are these things wrong? No, but I don't believe this is fellowship. I don’t believe folks intend to keep fellowship in its shallow state. I’m convinced that we haven’t been taught the true meaning of biblical fellowship, nor have we been shown what it looks like. It is my opinion that there is a lack of biblical fellowship, and Christian church-going men are suffering the consequences. iMetochoi Ministries exists to challenge Christian men to become partakers of Christ together. This involves biblical fellowship. It belongs in the family and in the Church. We must declare God’s view of fellowship from His word and show its brilliant colors in the ministries of our churches.
Our New Testament English word fellowship comes from the Greek word koinonia. In its basic form, the word means “the act or condition of sharing something in common.”[1] It is translated in various passages as contributing (giving), sharing, participation, and fellowship. So the word has with it the connotation of giving toward someone the thing(s) they need, whether it be experiences, undertakings, or possessions.
Probably the most famous passage that deals with fellowship is in 1 John 1,
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John made his point that his letter was about fellowship. This wasn’t ordinary fellowship—but fellowship with him and the other apostles and with God. According to John, he was in deep, intimate fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Notice the pattern in verse one: we have heard, …seen …, …looked upon …, handled. Each word used becomes more intense. John and the other apostles heard the life (Jesus), they saw Him, they looked upon (literally, gazed intensely), and their hands have actually touched Him. No wonder these apostles have such an intense, intimate fellowship with God! They grew closer and closer to Jesus as they spent time with Him. They watched with awe the many miracles Jesus performed. Their eyes gazed upon Him at His transfiguration! They were glued to Him at His resurrection! They touched His glorified body! They witnessed His ascension! All the while, they grew more in love with their Savior—they became intensely connected emotionally, spiritual, and mentally.
The principle I get out of this pattern is that fellowship occurs when we grow closer to the individual with whom we already have a relationship. There is the aspect of quality time spent with this individual. The purpose of this time is to give to one another, share with one another, and participate in the lives of one another.
Yet, notice that in verse 3, John uses only two of the four words from verse 1, seen and heard. The reason is obvious when understanding John’s main point—fellowship. Only the apostles spent time with Jesus, i.e., gazed intensely upon Him. Only the apostles were close enough and intimate enough to touch Him. I can only imagine that when John wrote that part he thought of times when he laid his head on the chest of His Messiah! No one can explain moments like that. No one else had experiences like these. Only the apostles.
I believe John experienced biblical fellowship with Jesus because Jesus made it His priority to get into the life of John and the other disciples. Fellowship takes initiative. It makes people a priority.
I believe Christian men crave true, biblical fellowship. I'm one of them. It is my opinion that when we grasp the fact that ministry is people, we would pursue biblical fellowship. I think fellowship motivates men to be a part of church life. It gives them a connection, a sense of belonging and acceptance, and it brings healing, warmth, depth, and wholeness to individuals within the body. Biblical fellowship is not passive, but active. It takes initiative. If Bob is an uninvolved member of his church, George doesn’t wait for Bob to come to him for fellowship, George goes to Bob. The love of Christ takes first initiative (1 John 4:10).
A wise man once said, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” I’m convinced Christian men are missing out on true, biblical fellowship. Men need to get into the lives of each other. We need to know that we all struggle with the same things--different degrees of it, but the same things. We need each other. We need fellowship.
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2 comments:
I couldn't agree more. There is something to be said for learning from example. And I think the last supper in that upper room was an excellent example of what men should be doing; getting together in true fellowship. I can't imagine just how much would not have been taught, just how much would have been lost if that last fellowship of men did not take place. It is something we must actively choose to do.
So, Scott, help me out. How do we get guys to be more open with each other? What can we do to encourage Christian men that we can't and shouldn't try to live this life on our own?
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