Visions of Fellowship

"And they devoted themselves to the Apostle's teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers." Acts 2:42

"I think, therefore I am." Most of us at one time or another have heard this famous saying by Rene Descartes (1596-1650). It was part of his Discourse on the Method and Principles of Philosophy
in which he was trying to decide if there was a way of knowing that could prove his own existence. His conclusion was that because he could think, then he is a "thinking thing" and thus existed. While this kind of thinking may seem a bit obtuse today (philosophy has moved in many new directions) it shows us quite clearly how the European world had taken a dramatic turn toward individualism.

The kind of thinking about radical individualism that Descartes (as well as those who preceded and followed him) offered permeates our society. We see this in the movies (John Wayne), television (the Lone Ranger), and in society (the many people who talk about how they pulled themselves up by their own boot-straps). We speak about rugged individualism and the pioneer spirit. The rationale is that we are completely independent and do not need anyone else. This idea has also infected the church. We see ourselves as persons who do not necessarily have to be connected to the body in which we worship.

"I exist in relationships, therefore I am." These are the words of Japanese theologian Seiichi Yagi. What Yagi is trying to do is to return us to a Biblically based sense of self. The scriptures do not present persons as rugged individualists. Instead persons are portrayed as having life because of what they shared in common. In the opening quote from the Book of Acts the word "fellowship" is used. A better translation of the Greek word is the word "common" as in what we hold in common. The idea is that we are in common because we are one in Christ. We are all part of the very body of Jesus therefore we are one. We exist in the fullest sense of being human not because we can think but because we are part of the very life and love of God and one another in Jesus.

How might that help us think differently? First it can help us to rethink "fellowship." Often we have seen fellowship as simply hanging out at church over a cup of coffee. While that kind of hanging out is sharing something (time, space and coffee) in common, what if we were to see "fellowship" as something more, such as truly knowing and caring for one another? Second I hope it helps us rethink our relationship with church, that we are indeed a common body in which each of us and our gifts make a significant difference. It would remind us that each of us is a necessary part of the whole. We are needed here.

(How to; I would like to challenge you this week to an experiment. At church, while you are in your pew, spot someone you do not know. Begin by introducing yourself during the greeting time or as you leave. Then the next week when you see those people (or person) make sure you say hello and inquire about their lives. Next begin praying for them. Then in the weeks ahead deepen that budding friendship and then do it again with someone else. In other words get connected with those with whom you live in common.)

John