FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship is one of those words we don't use so much anymore.  These days it's reserved more for the funding one gets to do research and to sponsor studies of various kinds - a 'fellowship.'

That the word itself has fallen out of common usage, however, doesn't mean we shouldn't have it; it just means other words that mean the same thing may have successfully replaced it.

But the concept, idea and importance lives.

'Fellowship' means people hanging out and getting to know each other.  Kind of like family.  And because you're part of a family means you're going to occasionally drive each other crazy.

Am I right?

Don't answer that.

But it's called ... life.  Fellowship.

So let me reduce your expectations about 'fellowship' as it exists within the local church.  We use the word 'life' or 'community' more often today -- but no matter the word you want to use, it doesn't mean perfect, reconciled relationships where we all wear matching sweatshirts and ride on tandem bikes on the way to Bible study while singing songs from The Sound of Music.

It means -- I'm going to tick you off and you're going to tick me off on occasion.  And if we kill each other in the process at least we'll see each other in heaven one day.

But often 'fellowship' -- community -- friendship -- gets broken.  Then what?

I'll tell you the easiest way to build or restore a friendship with somebody:  have a meal together and pray together.

The easiest way to build or restore friendship is to have a meal together and pray together.

Let's say you're married and not having a real good time right now.  It happens.  I'm saying -- eat together and pray together -- because God blesses those kinds of connecting moments.  That won't solve everything, I sure do know that, but I've found two things happen with many couples when they're having problems -- they've stopped eating together and they aren't praying together.

This works with a friendship as well.

Eat together;  pray with one another.  This is a path toward working things out relationally.

Try it.

Invite them over for a meal.  It will be one of the hardest things you've ever been asked to do, but this isn't lightweight community you're called to live.  It isn't Cracker Jack Felllowship that's been modeled for us by Jesus.

Estranged family member, strained friendship, a neighbor, a co-worker -- have a meal.  If they're vegan, cook vegan.  If they like meat, kill something.  Whatever it is, serve them, welcome them, practice hospitality, move healing forward.

Ask God for His help.  You can do this.

And be blessed.