Defining Moments

Fellowship

Friends and followers are terms that have taken on new meaning with the proliferation of Facebook and Twitter. In a way, the terms have been cheapened a bit since social networking sets the bar so low to qualify as a friend or follower. Masses of people who have little in common, except being formerly acquainted or loosely related to people you actually know, can now call themselves your “friend” or, “follower.” Many, you wouldn’t walk across the street to greet. And having lots of them tends to give some a false sense of importance, no matter how remotely connected they may be to those on their particular lists.

I read an article about a guy who quickly gained 700 friends on Facebook. He decided to invite them all to join him at a local bar for a drink. 60 said they might be there. Sadly, just one—who actually turned out to be a friend of a “friend”—showed up. She soon left and he ended his article with this forlorn conclusion: “700 friends, and I was drinking alone.”

So, what was missing? My guess it that there is a lack of true fellowship in these cyber-communities. Simply having certain things in common with other humans does not produce fellowship. True fellowship stems from things like common commitments; common goals; a common mission; a common vision.  

Those are the same things that make a church a fellowship; those things that serve as unique burdens on the hearts of church members. What is it that we believe God has affirmed in us concerning that which sets us apart from other churches? Why become a part of this body of believers rather than the one around the corner or down the street? Is it something more than the preaching preferences, the musical style and the general feeling that this is home? I think that people choose to be a part of a particular church because they are on the same page concerning things that go beyond those first-impression-type issues. I believe it has to do with fellowship.

One kind of fellowship of believers transcends and crosses over lines between individual churches. Simply being a Christian makes one a part of that fellowship. But, within each church, a special kind of fellowship is built around a common mission and vision to which that local church has committed. How would you describe ours?

This Sunday, I want to talk about fellowship; the fellowship we share as believers in Christ and the fellowship we uniquely share as part of the church we call Living Oaks. As we launch our new series called Light for the Darkest Darkness (a study of 1 John) and as we embark upon a New Year, what better time to peer into the future and catch a glimpse of the direction we believe God is affirming for Living Oaks. What better time to confirm those things that make us a fellowship?

(Also, this Sunday, you’ll be treated to a virtual tour of our new Youth and Children’s Center and our Expanded Celebration Center!)

Oh, and HAPPY 2010!

“That which we have seen and heard we
declare to you, that you also may have fellowship
with us; and truly our fellowship is
with the Father and with His Son Jesus
Christ.”    1 JOHN 1:3 NKJV