One of the things that I prize and hold as incredibly important in the life of our church is fellowship. Fellowship, as I am sure many of you are aware, was one of the things that the early church was committed to. In Acts 2:42 we read, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” The early church devoted themselves (gave themselves) to fellowship, and we should too. Fellowship is important for so many reasons, not least of which is that it allows us to build relationships among our body so that we may, in the words of our church’s covenant, “walk together in brotherly love…exercise and affectionate care and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.”

In one sense, in order for any of that good spiritual work to be done, there must be preexisting and meaningful fellowship. This is one of the many reasons why the elders of our congregation encourage fellowship in several forms – fellowship right after church downstairs (in the Fellowship Hall of all places!), fellowship around the dinner table in our homes, fellowship before and after small groups, fellowship while serving in nursery together, fellowship while washing the dishes after a church event, fellowship over lunch, fellowship over coffee (or tea for the weaker brother – I kid! I kid!). Fellowship is important for the development of our relationships within the life of the church, and frankly, it may be that we don’t value fellowship quite as much as we should.

It is my prayer that we would devote ourselves to fellowship much like the early church did. It will take work, but the work is worth it. Lasting meaningful friendships in the church are worth it. Spirit-filled conversations are worth it. The fruit of fellowship is worth it. I cherish the time of fellowship that I have with you, and I am grateful for the fellowship that we have in Christ.