{"id":2922,"date":"2010-05-27T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2010-05-27T12:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=2922"},"modified":"2022-11-21T16:29:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-21T21:29:32","slug":"fellowship-in-high-tech-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/fellowship-in-high-tech-world.htm","title":{"rendered":"Church Fellowship Ideas in a High Tech, Low Touch World"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HoldingIn a previous post we looked at possible causes for the decline of true fellowship<\/a> in the church.\u00a0\u00a0Lets consider the question with which the post ended. — In light of the possible causes for its decline … like living in what has been called a high tech, low touch world<\/strong><\/span>, what can be done to restore true fellowship?<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul consistently encouraged churches to “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26).\u00a0 He was literally asking them to demonstrate their fellowship through an act of affection, not simply through words.\u00a0 That is hard to do on social networks, over the phone, texting, or through e-mail.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can we foster true fellowship in a high tech, low touch world?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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  1. I recently read something stating that today’s high tech generation may be starting to have difficulty relating to one another in person.\u00a0 If that is so, encourage them to start by simply greeting one another.\u00a0 If the “holy kiss” (sign of affection could also be a hug or handshake) pushes you too far, what about a simple welcoming gesture like saying hello, nod of the head, meeting of eyes, a smile?\u00a0 … Try doing it with everyone who crosses your path.\u00a0 See what a difference it makes.\u00a0 And, leaders need to be setting an example in this.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. T<\/span>each on the one another passages<\/a> in such a practical way that people see that there is no substitute for face-to-face fellowship.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. Don’t compete with technology.\u00a0 Use it but don’t rely on it.\u00a0 Encourage the use of e-mail, texting,\u00a0and social media to stay in touch but help people see that it is only a stepping stone, a complimentary or supplementary means to enhance true fellowship.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. While people are together, make the most of that time relationally.\u00a0 Make sure Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, etc. are trained to know how to strengthen relationships among group members.\u00a0\u00a0 Don’t expect it to happen naturally.\u00a0 Though Hebrews 10:24 was written prior to communication technology, the need to plan for it to happen was encouraged back then<\/span> — “And let us consider how<\/strong><\/span><\/em> we may spur one another on …”\u00a0 How much more we need to be deliberate about this today!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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          1. Encourage small groups to add a fun activity and\/or outreach effort into their agenda, perhaps quarterly.\u00a0 Fun activities give us opportunity to simply enjoy each other’s presence. We need to do more of that!\u00a0 Outreach activities give us opportunity to work\/serve with others side by side. While technology might get us connected, it will only go so far! We can’t too easily do these things through email, social media, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            (The last two points were based on some comments from someone following MinTools.com on Facebook<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            In a previous post we looked at possible causes for the decline of true fellowship in the church. Lets consider the question with which the post ended. — In light of the possible causes for its decline … like living in what has been called a high tech, low touch world, what can be done to restore true fellowship? . . . Continue reading Church Fellowship Ideas in a High Tech, Low Touch World<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fellowship-unity"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t