3 Steps to More Active FellowshipDefinition of fellowship:Noun: a community based on shared interest, activity, feeling, experience. So you could say the church is a fellowship because we have the same beliefs, we have the same worship practices [Sabbath, holy days, tithing etc.], we share the same holy spirit, we have gone through trials together. Verb: the interaction that comes about through common cause... sharing, giving, for example the words we say to one another, the time we spend together, or material goods. Today I want to concentrate on fellowship that is active... intentional... mindful... and pleasing to our Father Creator. I have three points: 1) presence 2) communication 3) hospitality. But first…God Designed The ChurchIf we have a problem with the church we actually have a problem with God and the way He has set things up. We can try to wriggle around this dilemma by blaming the people. That way we can let God off the hook, or separate our interaction with Him from our interaction with the church: For example: you might not like being thrown together with this motley crew, you might question how could God allow such a person or people in His church. Maybe you don't like the people in charge are doing things. We might want to walk away or distance ourselves… but our interaction with God cannot be separated from the church. God designed His way of life... his truth... to function within the context of and assembly, an ecclesia, a church, a fellowship. At one time that meant an assembly of people called to be a nation [Israel]. In this present age it means an assembly, an ecclesia, a church,  composed of people called from all different backgrounds and ancestries. A family of people who are not blood related... who share the same beliefs and ideals... who can offer help and encouragement to one another as we grow into the fullness of Christ. God has designed the church to accommodate flaws. What He is interested in is how you deal with these problems… not that we all reach nirvana in the church. The church is not your "destination" it is a road.  Fellowship is part of how you get on down the road! Get a FREE copy of The Church Jesus Built... discover what the bible really says about the church Jesus would leave behind! Keep Reading »