What is fellowship?

American Heritage Dictionary - fellowship

• The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.
• The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms.
• A close association of friends or equals sharing similar interests.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Fellowship
(1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job 22:21; John 17:3); agreement with his designs (Amos 3:2); mutual affection (Rom. 8: 38, 39); enjoyment of his presence (Ps. 4:6); conformity to his image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of his felicity (1 John 1:3, 4; Eph. 3:14-21).
(2.) Of saints with one another, in duties (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:17, 18); in ordinances (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:46); in grace, love, joy, etc. (Mal. 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:4); mutual interest, spiritual and temporal (Rom. 12:4, 13; Heb. 13:16); in sufferings (Rom. 15:1, 2; Gal. 6:1, 2; Rom. 12:15; and in glory (Rev. 7:9).

I was thinking this morning, after our trip to Frankie’s Fun Park, last night with our students about the term fellowship and what it means in our lives. I went to the internet and brought back the definitions that you read at the beginning of this post. What the world sees as fellowship is very close to the biblical form of fellowship, yet it comes up short of what God, in His word, says fellowship is. Everyone seeks some form of fellowship in life, we all want to be accepted and feel a part of something bigger than we are. Yet, worldly fellowship can become very excusive in its make-up – excusive organizations, country clubs, groups, etc. What we, as followers of Christ, need to always keep in mind is that our fellowship needs to be inclusive. We need to be seeking out new people for our fellowship everyday. If we become exclusive, we are no better than the world around us. We need to be constantly aware of the people around us. If we quit noticing the new people that seek a place in our fellowship we fail at what God has called us to do, which is reach the world around us. We need to guard ourselves from becoming “Holy Huddles” or “S.M.O.T.S. (secret meetings of the saints)” – both terms borrowed from the book “Purpose Driven Youth Ministry” by Doug Fields. I totally understand that we all have our best friends and want to spend time with them, but my prayer is that no one will ever leave our group feeling like they were not made to feel welcome and a part of something they wanted to return to. None of us would ever want to come to an event and not be noticed. I’ve done that in churches in the past and when I left I never wanted to return. We have the greatest students in the world, but if we are to fulfill God’s vision for our group we need to be inclusive.
I realize that this is spring break week, but most of you will talk to your friends from school this week. Invite them to come this weekend to the 8:30 am service. I’ve already seen some of what we will experience this Sunday morning. You do not want to miss this Sunday. Keep praying about this weekend, we are praying for 200+ in that service. I really want to have to bring out chairs. The excitement is building.
Until next time, keep up the good fight and keep your eyes on Jesus.