seeking truth about the purpose of fellowship

[Guest Unworthy Servant]

Greetings in the Name of Christ our Lord and Savior:

Today I am compelled by the power of the Holy Spirit to ask a question for the Bride of Christ in this age. I have shared this same question with several other sites that I share with, but I am going to all of the sites with this one because of it's importance to all of us.

Many have gotton into the worship habits created by our social structure that provides programs and musical worship to us during our visit together in a church building. We listen to a sermon being preached, but are we really doing what Christ asked of us as fellowship with one another and with Him?

I look back to see the reactions of the disciples to many of the things that Christ told them while He was among them to see that they just didn't get it.

Then I look at the activity of the church at Antioch to find no resemblance to what we do today as a body in Christ. I really don't think it is because of cultural differences, but a sliding away from the foundations of our original purpose and faith in Christ. From what I can tell the church was built around the theme of family and took care of those in every way who were a part of that family as needed. I found that their main purpose was to produce fruit of the Spirit in their lives during the week and then come together to celebrate the outcome of their work in a service by sharing both their successes and failures. They bonded and knitted together because they preferred one another over the world around them. I didn't find a lot of special activity other than their faith at work, the example of that faith worked out in the lives of mentors they had in the Spirit of God among them. These mentors were people who by example of their lives helped others to grow in Christ.

I have looked around for a body of believers who still conducted their lives in that way only to be disappointed over and over again. I would like to get your input on this subject as the Bride of Christ at this site. For years now I have fellowshiped and worked among churches from all over, and I have yet to find what I consider to be the true felloship of the church played out in lives.

What do you think? May you richly bless God through your life in Him;

The Unworthy Servant

[nebula]

Other than "Yup, I've been feeling the same way," I don't have a whole lot extra to say.

[Guest LadyC]

i once had a bible that answered that question. it stated very simply:

worship is for God's edification

fellowship is for OUR OWN edification (emphasis mine)

it also listed the purpose of many other aspects of our daily walk, but i can't remember what all it said. i do agree with the above, however. we don't grow as Christians without being edified through fellowship. nor do we draw closer to the Lord without edifying Him through worship.

[Adstar]

Hello unworthy servant

In a way I find these boards perform a function closest to what your ideal fellowship description. I certainly have never found it within a "church" of course we are not all united here in faith but some are brothers and sisters and find fellowship here close to the ideal.

I see fellowship as people of the faith coming together sharing their experiences in life helping each other with advice and sharing insights into the Word. I suppose the only thing missing here is that we do not break bread and share it in memory of The Messiah Jesus. I wonder could that be organized?

Anyway I hope you gain understanding and ideas unworthy servant :il:

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[OneAccord]

That would be something, Adstar, and online communion, think about it!!!

Anyway, about the post, ditto for me. Frankly, the fellowship at the churches has been pretty lame at best. The whole program is not set up for one-anothering, it seems more a spectator sport, aside from the good corporate praise and worship I've experienced.

I crave it at a family level too, holding each other's babies, morning coffee, hanging out on the porch, jumpstarting each other's cars, that sort of thing.

I have lived communally in the past many times and I have tasted real fellowship in those days, the church has never come anywhere near it, and it's been a major disappointment to me.

Ditto to Adstar's post too, without WorthyBoards I'd be awfully lonely.

[Hvnly1Rose]

I see fellowship as people of the faith coming together sharing their experiences in life helping each other with advice and sharing insights into the Word. I suppose the only thing missing here is that we do not break bread and share it in memory of The Messiah Jesus. I wonder could that be organized?

Anyway I hope you gain understanding and ideas unworthy servant  :il:

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

Sounds great!

DATE & TIME?

:lightbulb: :lightbulb: :lightbulb: :lightbulb:

[WayneB]

I was looking for a place to express my appreciation for Worthy Boards and the fellowship I have witnessed and the kindnesses I have felt.

I have a job in which I'm at full speed or I am idle...not much in between. I read the "One Minute Manager" years ago and I put it into practice. I am that One Manager Manager with some amount of time during the average day to read or study. At night, I have little interest in television so I either waste my time or I read. Now I have Worthy Boards to add to my experience.

Worthy Boards has given me the opportunity to fellowship with the Body of Christ and grow in understanding. I have only one complaint though. I would like to read more about y'all (southern term) when you post your positions on doctrine or whatever. I know very little about most of you but I have recently read about Cats mission work. Praise God for your service! Do not be concerned about boasting. I, and nor should anyone else, accuse anyone of boasting when they express what the Lord has done through them. I would like to read more about your ministries, mission work, and so on. The doctrinal debates are OK but mix in your personal experience.

George, I read your testimony but it was hard to follow since the posts were out of order. Your experience with the stanist is fascinating. Thank you!

God Bless all,

Wayne

[Hvnly1Rose]

I understand totally. Been very difficult finding a church, looking for past 4 years for one that truely lives up to the one we went to in Florida. And that was a church of over 15,000 people. Go figure.

We had a small group within the large metropolitan church and we would get together regularly and even have communion outside of the once a month in church. So I can see how it would be feesable for us to have it on here.

:bright: :bright: :bright:

[Guest Unworthy Servant]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus:

In noticing that many of you have had the same problems in trying to find the kind of fellowship that scripture speaks of as a community I have been looking at different possibilities through the work in the internet that we could hook up with one another in that way. I have not figured out about the communion Idea altogether, but the fellowship certainly could be done.

There is a new program called my Flock that is made for church communities which help those who are into cyber communications stay connected as a church body. All though it caters mainly to already existing local churches I am sure that it could be adapted to work as a cyber church community as well.

This could afford many to minister and witness bringing others into the presence of Christ from all over the globe,and without them even having to move from their local congregations to do it. I don't know about you but the thought of beginning a fellowship that is truthful to the original concepts of Christ's purpose for the church excites me. Let me know what you think.

May you richly bless God through your life in Him;

The Unworthy Servant

[His son]

I would also like to suggest that you all look for a Morning Star congregation in your area if they have one. They are the closest I have found to the original. They have a web page to begin your search with. And we all know that anything is possible with The Lord.