Fellowship Thoughts

WED., NOV. 10, 1993, 10:24 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM HALL

Fellowship is an important part of the Christian experience here in the earth. It does have quite a variety of forms, which seem proper or improper for certain churches and denominations. You have returned from a meeting where much fellowship “stuff” was listed and discussed. You enjoy the fellowship opportunities you have, and you take advantage of many of these, but, rightly, you did not volunteer to take on any organizational or convening responsibilities. It was somewhat difficult, but I want to assure you now, as I did as you started the walk back to this place, that you acted as I would have you. It is natural for you to feel embarrassed that you don’t volunteer, but just trust that I will guide you into what I would have you do… and not do.

In your church, and generally in your middle-of-the-spectrum denomination, there is no great “gap” between the feeling in your worship service and the times of just fellowship. It is easy to move from one to the other… and this can include this Wednesday morning group, which easily combines Bible study with the fellowship around a breakfast table.

You experienced the contrast recently that is part of Michael’s and Wendy’s Orthodox church. There you experienced stark contrast between the feeling of the service and the time of fellowship afterward. Being one with a minimal appreciation of high liturgy the transition to socializing… or even passing the peace in the sanctuary… was not an easy, natural one. You saw that it seemed to be easy for the regular members and worshippers, so it was evident that adaptation to this contrast is quite possible and expected.

Your church has the challenge of developing more ways of involving more folks in fellowship events. It is a truth, but surprising to you, that some people are reluctant to enter in to fellowship experiences… and have to be urged, personally. You needn’t try to understand and appreciate the diverse reasons behind such behaviors. You needn’t actively be a part of actively organizing such happenings, BUT I do want you to be present at many and actively greet and “fellowship with” a variety of persons. Sometimes, as at the convention, you shall spend time with one or a few persons… or you may circulate more freely, without long, serious encounters. Each has merit.

The one exception could be a “talent show” that you might organize and direct, sometime in the Spring. You can do this quite well, and many people appreciate an evening of enjoyment and laughter. You might include some sorts of “audience participation,” as well as the more normal forms of entertainment. This is a suggestion, but one I do want you to consider.

A church fellowship is, and should be, different from secular times of socializing. Now they aren’t so different from socializing with colleagues who are readers of Our Ruminations, for the very sharing of these writing and reading experiences generates a spiritual power that can be greater than that generate by common faith and worship experiences. For this does make a difference. What makes a difference? When you share times of worship and study of Me, My Word, and My Way, then fellowship has a different quality to it. There is something mystically real about worship and Scriptural experiences that are shared that does energize fellowship between and among such “sharers.” You could feel this at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s… your fellowship feelings were not as natural and free-flowing because it was hard for you to appreciate and participate in the worship service that preceded fellowship time. Because of your long relationship with Michael, including many experiences, it is not easy to appreciate him in the high priestly liturgical role. There is a dissonance that is just there.