On The Subject Of Fellowship

[Michael37]

Fellowship. It's there on my list of ways to worship God in obedience to His Word as follows.

1. Fellowship
2. Stewardship
3. Discipleship
4. Leadership
5. Evangelism
6. Intercession
7. Rest 

I've had my moments in fellowship. You don't always know what you're going to get, either in person or online. 

Fellowship has its ups and downs so I have to remind myself to take the good with the bad.

I believe Christians should fellowship to promote their spiritual life and growth, or as the Bible puts it, to edify one another.

Recently I accompanied my wife to a home fellowship hosted by her ladies group who periodically invite husbands along. I prayed beforehand for God's grace to help me enjoy the pleasantness and endure the unpleasantness of this occasion, and thankfully my prayers were answered.

It was extremely pleasant to once again engage in Christ-centred-discussion with the husband of the host lady, but quite unpleasant to be constantly interrupted by "the program" and "the formalities" in ways that were dismissive of our mutual exchange. 

A trivial, frivolous YouTube video clip had to be played which parodied evangelism and Christian culture. Because it had amused this lady is was placed on her agenda, but I for one was not edified by it.  Graciously I said nothing.

Two of the woman in the group use the odd swear word from time to time. I have made the Scriptural position known and given the matter to the Lord.

The understanding is that these periodic home fellowships when the husbands come are social occasions rather than for Bible Studies and Teaching, so there is always a game of some description. 

I'm a martyr to my wife sometimes, but I much prefer the Bible Study and Teaching fellowships to the social occasions.

Any comments?   

[Starise]

I'm glad you had a good time regardless. 

Some people are more social creatures than others. I can handle a gathering like that for maybe a few hours. If I haven't found anyone to talk with that wants to discuss something other than the weather I begin to get bored. Or if I'm with someone I have absolutely nothing in common with. We can still enjoy a meal and words to edify together. Not the same though as someone who connects with me in both interests and the word. With those gatherings the time gets away before I realize it. We have friends we get together with usually more in the Summer than winter. We don't attend the same church but still get along very well.

I have seen the Lord through many people at my church. They are so warm and genuine. Feels like home even though we don't often meet.

[Who me]

I find the easiest way to fellowship with other Christian men is through joining them on a church work night.

We have, covid permitting, a first Monday in the month work night when those routine problems in a well used church building get dealt with.

This is coupled with a summer week's worth of work evenings and if there are enough people durring the day.

When bigger projects get tackled, like repainting the walls, or sanding down and varnishing the floor etc.

 

I find these are great for working at a routine task with a couple of other men and to get to know them as we work together.

 

Sitting in someone front room with a cup of tea and trying to talk to someone for thre hours of socialising .. ugh no thanks.

[Michael37]

4 hours ago, Starise said:

I'm glad you had a good time regardless. 

Some people are more social creatures than others. I can handle a gathering like that for maybe a few hours. If I haven't found anyone to talk with that wants to discuss something other than the weather I begin to get bored. Or if I'm with someone I have absolutely nothing in common with. We can still enjoy a meal and words to edify together. Not the same though as someone who connects with me in both interests and the word. With those gatherings the time gets away before I realize it. We have friends we get together with usually more in the Summer than winter. We don't attend the same church but still get along very well.

I have seen the Lord through many people at my church. They are so warm and genuine. Feels like home even though we don't often meet.

Thanks for your comment, Starise.

It's encouraging to get word of warm and friendly fellowship. Something that happens in groups that meet regularly is that people come and go. There is this element of mobility in the body of Christ with some relationships being short term in contrast to those that are decades in the making. Quite often I will meet someone for the first time and discover that we have friends or acquaintances in common. 

Online fellowship is interesting. A while back I would get up in the morning knowing I could interact online @Neighbor or @BeauJangles

or with other regulars on Worthy whose circumstances have changed to rare, endangered, or extinct. Praise God for His blessings in season and out of season.

[Michael37]

3 hours ago, Who me said:

Sitting in someone front room with a cup of tea and trying to talk to someone for thre hours of socialising .. ugh no thanks.

 I have been known to fall asleep in some evening Bible Study groups. After a long day of hard labour, a rushed dinner, travelling across the city picking up group members, and then listening to someone reading a long passage or giving a prepared teaching I am easily lulled into snooze mode.

Yes, Who me. It's a good idea to set boundaries of how often we have fellowship and how long we are prepared to socialise for.