July 24, 2006 - True Fellowship

Send To Printer
True Fellowship

By Christy Stenger
July 24, 2006

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42).

The word “fellowship” means friendly relationship or companionship, community of interest, or an association of persons having similar interests.

My husband is in the Air Force and we have moved many times. We are thankful for all the many great preachers and ministries we have sat under. We are also thankful for the many friends that we have made over the years, but we do see a big change that needs to take place in the church.

Looking at the meaning of the word “fellowship” and what God’s Word says about it teaches us many things. It shows us how we are to treat each other, since we are one body. We are also to spend time with each other more--not just at church services (see Acts 2:42-47). They did more than just show up at a building together to have church. The Apostles were in each others’ homes eating together and spending time getting to know each other. We, as a whole, do not do as they did. Our lives are too busy. As you know, these are the end times, and the Lord will soon be here again to take us home to our reward. This is the time that we desperately need fellowship, friendship, and time with each other.

I usually dread moving because I will leave someone that I have gotten to know. I also know the cycle for us will start again—1. We move and find a church that the Lord wants us to attend. 2. We receive a friendly greeting by most in the church. 3. We are then left feeling lonely and longing for friendship.

Fellowship for military members is not lacking in overseas locations; it is here in the U.S. churches. Overseas, we rely on each other more. We are truly family, spending time with each other often as the Apostles did. If we didn't, we wouldn't survive. There’s sometimes a language barrier that makes being overseas all the harder, but fellowship is the key to success.

We have seen people avoid getting too close to us. It’s not because they are not Christians and don't treat us well. It’s because, if they get close to us, they will be sad when we move. They will lose a close friend and someone they love deeply. This does not just happen to military members. It is happening to new converts and even people who have been in a church for years.

When we see people—especially new converts—lonely and having no friends, why don't we invite them over to dinner or game night? Invite them over to watch a preaching video or to share Thanksgiving dinner with your family.

Just maybe the reason so many leave the church has nothing to do with the world, our standards, or the preaching. It could be there’s little concern for others. It could be someone is so lonely and dying inside for friendship that they go to a different church—that may not teach truth—to fill their need for fellowship.

We need to think of others more and be sensitive to what is going on around us. Is not the church’s purpose to reach out to others? We so need each other. Invest yourself in someone, and you will not be let down. God will mightily bless you for caring about someone and forgetting about yourself. You will also find a friend that will last a lifetime, even if they move away.

ninetyandnine.com

-----

Christy Stenger is the mother of three children and wife of an officer in the US Air Force working on his Ph.D. They attend The Pentecostal Church in Hollister, CA, pastored by Nathan Hurst. She is a native Texan who’ll be moving to Nebraska next year.