Category Archives: Fellowship – Unity

Koinonia is church life that is a sharing of what we have in common, relating with one another in fellowship – unity – love based on who we are in Christ.

Does True Fellowship Need to be Restored in the Church?

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True Fellowship with One Another
If we sense a need to restore true fellowship in the church, it suggests the decline of true fellowship.  Hence, to restore true fellowship start by considering what might be leading to its decline.

Reasons Fellowship May be on the Decline

We live in a high tech, low touch world.  Could this lead to the decline of true fellowship?

Wait, you might say, because of the Internet and cell phones, you are more in touch with people than you ever have been.  I know that is true for me.

The question is, how deep do these contacts go?  How much do they enable you to live out the “one another” passages of Scripture which certainly are a big part of true fellowship?

We live in a world where so many people seem to be doing life on the fast track.  Could this lead to the decline of true fellowship?

But, you might say, life IS demanding.  You barely have time to invest into your own family.  How do we live out Hebrews 10:25 which says “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing …”

The bottom line is who is in control of you.  Is it your schedule, the expectations of others, or the Lord?  Would God lead you in ways that violate His Word?

We live in a stress-filled world with all its economic woes, crime, natural disasters, and many other anxiety producing events personally or globally experienced.  Could this lead to the decline of true fellowship?

Hold on, you might say, you have enough concerns of your own.  How are you supposed to take on other people’s problems?

The reality is that the closer we get to the Day of the Lord, the more we will experience these kind of events.  Hebrews 10:25 says that we should meet together and “encourage one another” but do it “all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

We live in a world with corruption and self-centered politics everywhere, including in the church.  Could this lead to the decline of true fellowship?

Of course, you might say, you are disillusioned with the institutional church.  You expect these kinds of attitudes and ambitions in the world, but shouldn’t the church be different?  If the church is no different, why bother?

The truth is, despite all its flaws, the Church is still the beloved Bride of Christ.  To hold in contempt something He loves and designed to be His means of working to advance His kingdom today, is to be out of line with Him.  First, let’s make sure to distinguish between the “institutionalized” church and the living organism which is His true Church.  Second, let’s remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12).  Because of the tremendous impact of true fellowship, especially as we “see the Day approaching,” Satan will piggy back on any other possible cause for the decline of true fellowship.

Restoring True Fellowship in the Church

In light of the possible causes for its decline, how do we restore true fellowship?  — Topics for more posts which you’ll find if you scroll down to related posts. Also, here are some additional articles and resources on the MinTools.com site about fellowship:

True Body Life Results in Fellowship

The Church’s Purpose to Love People Is Expressed Through Fellowship

Resources to Help with Fellowship

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Does Communion Equal Communion?

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On the first Sunday of October some will celebrate World Communion Day.  Yet, the ordinance of communion depicts one of the many differences among Christendom.

Not all churches celebrate communion the same way.  Some use a single cup and some provide a small plastic cup for everyone.  Some use a loaf of bread and others small wafers.  Some pass the elements while some have people come forward.  And that is just methodology.   Theological differences exist among churches in the ordinance of communion as well as how often communion should be served.

What Makes Communion Equal Communion … Fellowship, True Unity

At minimum, communion provides a remembrance of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.  Let’s get to the bottom line of communion, the work of Jesus on the cross, and find our commonality in Him.  When we do, communion equals communion, not just with God but also with one another.

With all the liberal and immoral influences in the world around us, as Christians we need to lay aside our differences and come together with one voice in Christ to be that salt and light so desperately needed.  We can do that when we remember that it is who we are “in Him,” because of what He did on the cross, that really matters. Then, differences don’t have to divide. We fellowship with one another, in true unity, because of Him, not because we believe exactly the same on all matters.

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