FELLOWSHIP OR NETWORKING

What do you understand by the word "fellowship"?  Is it different from friendship? How does it differ from networking?  How do we express fellowship in our churches and between churches?

Following the amazing experiences  on the Day of Pentecost, thousands of new believers in, and followers of Jesus as the Messiah and Saviour "devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  Luke's brief summary leaves us asking questions in the 21st Century.  With over 3,000 new believers how did they undertake the teaching programme?  Does "breaking of bread" refer to shared meals or what we call Communion or Eucharist?

From Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, it would have been more of a meal than a bit of bread and wine.  Prayer is more easily understood.  We know that there were gatherings for prayer both in the temple and in homes.  How often they met and what they prayed is uncertain.  But what did Luke mean by "devoting themselves to... fellowship"?

The Greek word Koinonia that is translated as "fellowship" in English Bibles, is best understood from the context in which it is found.  It becomes clear that this is more than meeting up.  The apostle Paul uses it to describe generous and sacrificial giving, and also as a willingness to suffer for Christ's sake rather than denying him.  So, where we use it to describe meeting up or having refreshments after a service, we are dumbing down the real meaning.  All too often we ask "How are you?" but the response we get may be hardly listened to.

If we do hear someone sharing with us that life is difficult at this time, are we ready to show real fellowship by exploring how we might help a person in need, or at the very least, take a few moments to pray with them?  The sad consequences of a lack of real fellowship is that too often we give or get a dishonest answer to the enquiry, and pretend that there is nothing wrong.

The first believers, showed fellowship by selling surplus property and sharing with one another, calling nothing they possessed as exclusively their own.  The first believers showed fellowship by ensuring that widows were properly cared for with adequate meals.  The first believers collected money on Sundays, not to support a building or even to support a minister, but to give away their money to Christians in other places who were suffering in a famine.  The believers in  Philippi gave up their own comfort to provide resources to help Paul in his mission work.

All of these examples come from places in the New Testament where the work Koinonia is used, which we translate as "fellowship".  Koinonia implies a generous level of commitment to one another within our churches and between churches.

So "fellowship" is more about what goes on seven days a week, and about how we truly express a love for one another that puts others before ourselves.

What then is going on when we come to church on Sundays?  It is doubtful that it is fellowship in the biblical sense, or even the beginning of fellowship.  It might be better described as "networking".  We meet up, we chat, we catch up with the news, but to what does it lead?  Sadly, sometimes it isn't even friendly.  I have heard some people describe going to the local pub as more friendly than their experience of church.  But what might people think if we could only get fellowship right, genuinely love and prefer one others before ourselves?

Here are some suggestions about putting fellowship back into the character of Christianity and church.

• When you ask how someone is, please be sure that you are willing to listen to the answer and then, if there is a need, to do something about it.
• Ensure that people can give an honest answer if things are not so good, because they know they are talking to someone who cares.
• Don't allow someone to sit or stand around on their own when they come to church and while others are grouped in conversation.
• Re-think your financial giving.  Could you go without to help someone in need or to advance the gospel mission?
• Re-think how you use your free time when you are not attending church meetings.  Is there a lonely or isolated person who might appreciate your company, for a few hours, or the offer of a lift to do some shopping?  Is there someone who might appreciate your cooking or baking?
• Try to be more empathetic.

Let's move from networking to fellowship if all we have been doing is networking.  If, on the other hand you are already demonstrating what "devoted to fellowship" means, then that is great.  Please pray that the rest of us will make a better job of it.

May the Lord abundantly bless you.
Barry - 2nd September 2019.

Where Do I Go to Cry?

Some years ago when I was carrying out some research about rural churches I heard a story regarding an Anglican church building in Devon that had been destroyed in a fire.  Apparently it was situated on a hill top some distance from the village.  To replace the medieval building a brand new modern church was erected within the community.  It was built on sloping land and the architects had cleverly used this to develop a split-level building.  They had also done something very creatively regarding natural lighting.  Apparently light enters through windows somewhere in the roof and in such a way that the whole building is bathed in light.

While this splendid building had much to commend it the one negative comment was that the abundance of light meant that there were no dark corners where someone might sit and weep.  I wonder whether this could be a metaphor for the church experience of others and it is that subject I wish to explore a little here.

In all our lives there are times when either our own circumstances, or that of others dear to us, bring deep sorrow.  But Britishness, which afflicts many, means keeping a stiff upper lip and keeping your sorrow private.  People from other cultures may not react the same way.  We will all have seen scenes on the television of people in the middle east and elsewhere where public displays of distress at times of sorrow are the norm.

My question is where do we go at those times of deepest sorrow and how does this relate to Christian fellowship?

It seems to me that there are two different church experiences that are unhelpful.  The first of these is where there is such an emphasis on triumph and joyfulness that to express sadness would almost seem sinful (too  much light and no dark corners).  The other is orderly church where any kind of emotionalism is not wanted.  But surely church, in the sense of a fellowship meeting, is just the place we should be able to go and weep.  Perhaps that already happens at your church but if not you might ask yourself what would happen if someone broke down and wept uncontrollably halfway through next Sunday's service?  Would it be ignored?  Would it be received sympathetically?  Would it be seen as unwelcome?  Would it need to be 'managed' to minimise the disturbance?

One of the most popular contemporary Christian songs is "As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after God". It is a song that evokes worship and thankfulness, but which when we sing it we usually miss the pathos behind these words which come from Psalm 42.  While the psalm opens with these words they are expressed in the context of sorrow, if not great agony.  The psalmist goes on to say, "My tears have been my food day and night..."  Three times in the space of this short psalm the writer speaks of feeling downcast.  In verse seven it seems that the writer is describing waves of deep grief breaking over his soul.  It reminds me of Hannah who was in deep anguish at the temple such that Eli thought she was drunk (See 1 Samuel 1).

I don't suppose any of would want to go to church to have a miserable experience, but I hope that we would all want our church gathering to be a context where people can feel free to weep and be open about the depth of their experiences when going through life's storms.  How else can we truly "Mourn with those who mourn"?

A few years ago a Christian magazine ran an article entitled "The Sunday Lie In".  It pointed out that when we arrive at church and someone asks how we are, we feel obliged to say that everything is fine even when it is far from fine.  Why can't we not be honest in church about our feelings whether they are of joy or deep sadness?

Most regular readers of this blog will be aware that my very good friend and colleague of around forty years was diagnosed earlier in 2014 with an aggressive brain tumour.  Since that time she has remained amazingly positive, buoyed up by her faith.  Her attitude has been so positive that some medical professionals have wondered whether she had fully grasped the terminal nature of her condition.  But this has been a hard week for her.  Even as I write this I know that normally she would not want me to share that with you.  But the God who, as Jesus, wept alongside Martha and Mary at the graveside of their brother takes no pleasure in pretentiousness.

Perhaps the best test of the quality of Christian fellowship is when someone finds the courage to weep in our presence.  Please pray for my friend Monica and for others who face similar situations (you know who you are). Pray too for their Christian friends and church fellowships that we might be all that we should be a places where - if necessary - they can cry.  God is able.

Matters for Praise & Prayer
The trustees of Sunrise Ministries (incorporating Rural Mission Solutions) meet on Monday in London.  Please pray for wisdom.

On Tuesday I fly to Northern Ireland where I will be until Friday as a guest of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church at their Annual Synod.  The NSPCI are a small denomination and in many ways have similar aspects to the Congregational Federation in which I am a minister.  One of my roles within CF is as Chair of Inter-Church Board that has been participating in discussions with the NSPCI.  We have had some precious times of Christian fellowship during these conversations.

The following week contains a Conference on Making and Growing Disciples in the Countryside, which I will have to miss because of other commitments.  Please pray for the conference organisers as they make final preparations for what I hope will be a very special event.

Please pray for my wife, Doreen who had a bad fall and cracked or broke some ribs not long ago.  The fall was probably the consequence of the condition of peripheral neuropathy that affects her balance and walking.  Please pray that she will be safe while I am away over the days of this coming week.

Give thanks for God's gracious provision that has enables us to do so much over the past month.  The 2014 Annual Report and Accounts for Sunrise Ministries comes to the trustees on Monday and will be available soon afterwards.  A small deficit is shown for 2014 but we are grateful for faithful friends and some supportive churches.

Yours gladly in His service,

Barry

It's all about team work

I am posting this a little early as I am unsure that I will be able to write it tomorrow.  This afternoon (Friday) I have to go to hospital for some minor surgery.  Although it is minor and will be dealt with on a Day Surgery Unit it requires a general anaesthetic and I have been advised to take it easy for the following several days.  I have therefore cleared my diary for the whole of next week.

So on this occasion there is not biblical reflection and nothing particularly about my activities so I can stand back and ask for prayer on a wider basis.  So here are some broad outlines and a glimpse into the wider ministry circle.

Congregational Colleagues
Although the Congregational Federation is a relatively small denomination there is so much to be thankful for including the support staff in our offices headed up by our General Secretary, Michael Heaney.  I am especially encouraged by the investment that has been made in encouraging and enabling mission.  So much to thank God for.  But I ask your prayers for two colleagues in ministry, both called Elaine, and both battling serious forms of cancer.

Rural Evangelism Network
Please give thanks for our new committee and pray for us.  I have to arrange a committee meeting soon from which we will be developing an agenda in accordance with decisions of our members.  There are other matters that arise out of REN.

Country Way
This is such a fantastic magazine and it is a privilege to be part of the editorial group.  We started out many years ago as an independent magazine produced collaboratively and REN was one of the partners.  I was the first Chairman of the publishing company and chaired editorial meetings over several years.  During this time we felt that it would be best to gift the magazine to the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) but continue to publish it on a collaborative basis.  The ARC have really carried the work and costs since its beginning.  The current editor is Jill Hopkinson, the national Rural Officer for the Church of England.  Her predecessor and the original editor is Jeremy Martineau.  Both Jill and Jeremy are really great people.  Please give thanks for the editorial team and the success of this fantastic magazine.  Please pray as we are developing an on line version and would love to see the number of subscribers (both printed and on line versions) increase substantially.  It is a key resource for information, ideas and inspiration.

Rural Ministry Colleagues
I have so many good friends and could not possibly mention all buy name, so here are just a few for your prayers.  Simon Martin a staff member at ARC who has been unwell with various issues over recent months.  Jerry Marshall who now heads up the important ministry of the ARC.  Graham Jones who is the Methodist and URC Rural national Officer also based at ARC.  Stephen Cope and Ron Spillards who both recently lost their wives after long periods of illness.

International Congregational Fellowship
Do please look up the website at www.intercong.org.  You can also find us on Facebook.  Four years ago I was appointed as its Communications Officer and I also convene a Structures Commission.  There is not a great deal of work normally but this has intensified as we have a quadrennial international conference 29th July to 2nd August at Brunel University, West London.  Please pray for Val Price and Phaedon Cambouropoulos our Co-Modrators and for Geraint Tudur who will take over the role from the Conference.  Give thanks for all who are working hard behind the scenes to make this a successful event.  Please pray also for enthusiastic and able people who will take over my roles.

Yelvertoft
When Doreen and I left Herstmonceux, East Sussex, we wondered if we would ever find such a wonderful ministry experience.  Ministry at Yelvertoft Congregational Church, though different to Herstmonceux, is an equal blessing.  The whole congregation is like a ministry team, the village has welcomed us and our work, the church has grown spiritually and numerically and we have such good friends in other churches in the village and area. For your prayers we are just starting to establish a new aspect in the life of the church and ask your prayers for wisdom.  Give thanks for those who take some of the services in my place, Gordon Temple, John Harris and Angela Berry.  Gordon will be there this Sunday.

Rural Mission Solutions
Although this is the major part of my ministry I will not write much at this time.  Please pray for my colleague, Monica Cook, still not 100% recovered from her accident during ministry in Malawi recently.  Give thanks for a good team of trustees.  Please pray for the East Midlands Support and Management Team as our Chairperson has now left to take up a new and exciting ministry within the Congregational Federation.  Our prayers go with Suzanne Nockells.  We give God thanks for increased income (much needed) at the start of the year.  Prayer and financial support for all aspects of this ministry is needed and many of our supporters are ageing and have limited income.

YOU!
I firmly believe that all members of the Body of Christ are of equal importance and value.  God has made us to be interdependent.  We need one another.  Some that receive this via email or who look it up on the internet pray earnestly.  Some pray very early in the mornings; others pray late into the night.  Some pray every day; some pray after receiving the news.  However you pray and whatever you are able to do practically to help - you are a vital part of my life and I give God thanks for you.

Barry