Community as Fellowship

In Christian circles, we speak often of being in community with one another. Although there are many different kinds of communities of which we can be a part, I like the notion of community as a "fellowship." The dictionary defines a "fellowship" as a community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience. Let's break down this definition:

Community describes our connections to one another. We are not a collection of separate individuals each working at cross purposes to one another. Rather, we are a people bound together by a common purpose, the realization of God in our lives and world. In particular, we seek this realization through devotion to the way of Jesus, recognizing the power of God in his story and actions. This common purpose provides the foundation upon which we can build a fellowship of faith.

Interest is concern. The interest that shapes a group into a fellowship is a shared concern for one another and the world. Along with concern comes appreciation. The more time we spend together, the more we appreciate each other. Out of appreciation comes a deeper concern for the welfare, happiness, and development of others.

Activity defines fellowship for most of us. When we do things together, the bonds between us grow stronger. When we sit at table together or work side-by-side, we forge strong ties of trust and friendship. Because actions often speak louder than words, shared activity helps us know one another better than we might have, otherwise.

Feeling is vital for true fellowship. We must not only be interested in one another and spend time doing things together, but we must learn to feel for one another, as well. We feel love and compassion. We feel each others' hurts and sadness. We feel the joys that make life worth living. Through our fellowship, we give ourselves space to laugh and cry together. Without sincere feelings for one another, we cannot be an effective community.

Experience sums up just about everything that has been said, so far. Our lives are defined by experiences built upon other experiences. Experience is the pulling together of interests, activities, and feelings in a way that makes us who we are. Without the sharing of experience, we have nothing between us.

Fellowship is both "what we do" and "who we are." In the sharing of our lives, we discover riches of strength, support, vision, hope, and faith that we would never find, otherwise. To live in fellowship is to live life to its fullest.