Going Wider in Fellowship

“The church exists primarily for two closely correlated purposes: to worship God and to work for his kingdom in the world ... The church also exists for a third purpose, which serves the other two: to encourage one another, to build one another up in faith, to pray with and for one another, to learn from one another and teach one another, and to set one another examples to follow, challenges to take up, and urgent tasks to perform. This is all part of what is known loosely as fellowship.”

This quotation from New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright gets to the heart of the third aspect of our church vision: Going Wider in Fellowship.

The witness of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation is clear that God has always been concerned about our relationships and connection. From Adam and Even in the garden to the great gathering around the throne in Heaven, we were created to be in community. When we survey the New Testament, we recognize that Jesus calls us to be in relationship with one another and the church, at her finest, functions best when we are in community.

For FBC going wider in fellowship has two facets. First, we are joined together in worship, discipleship, service, and evangelism for the expressed purpose of strengthening each other--as iron sharpens iron--for work in the kingdom of God and lifting the name of Jesus. Second, going wider in fellowship is about being joined together for joy, delight and sorrow. This happens when we eat together, play together, cry together, and celebrate together. Part of this will require that we expand our understanding of “together” so that we connect with brothers and sisters beyond our usual circle. And I believe that when we go wider in fellowship as a body that we will be better for it individually and corporately to the glory of God!

Growing in Christ,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah