That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3
For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
Fellowship is sharing with one another. It is the unique ability to become personally tied to Christ as a family by becoming brothers and sisters in Christ. Through fellowship, we work as a team under the leadership and empowerment of God.
Fellowship is a way to glorify God and accomplish far more than we can accomplish individually.
We were created by God to work together, serve together, encourage and support each other, and to have fun in the process. If we go off on our own, life is a lot more challenging because we do what the world wants us to do. We need close friends that hold us to high standards and keep us accountable because the people we spend time with are powerful forces that affect our relationship with God.
The Fellowship Ministry, a new ministry at the Rock that started about six months ago, provides a great way to get into fellowship with God and one another. The purposes of the ministry are to develop community, get people connected with others, get people involved in the church and the community, and have fun. In the past six months, the Fellowship Ministry coordinated BBQs and bonfires, went to a Padres game, watched the Miramar Air Show, and helped the homeless at the Rock Church and San Diego Rescue Mission's Thanksgiving Banquet. There are about 250 people involved in this ministry, members of the Rock as well as friends and members of other churches.
The Fellowship Ministry now has the opportunity to invite even more people to enjoy fellowship in a larger capacity at the new location of the Rock Church. Starting at the end of February, the Fellowship Ministry will sponsor a monthly event in the sanctuary of the Rock Church. The events will be fun social gatherings that offer opportunities to meet one another, get connected, and introduce friends to Christ. Information tables will be set-up in the sanctuary during the events to provide information about other ministries, serving opportunities, small groups, etc.
The vision of the Fellowship Ministry is to have over 1,000 people involved in the ministry. This ministry will play a vital role in the Rock's mission to engage every segment of society as a motivated army of believers in Jesus Christ, and to evangelize San Diego.
Scott Urquhart, head of the Fellowship Ministry, says one focus is "about bringing the unsaved to the saved, and the saved to see different serving opportunities."
The call of God is for us to go out into the world and be the salt and the light. There are everyday opportunities for us to do this through fellowship in all areas of our lives. The Fellowship Ministry provides just one of those opportunities.
Are you taking advantage of everyday opportunities for fellowship? Ask yourself these questions:
John 13:35 says By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Fellowship is when we are living with love for one another, accepting one another, and encouraging one another to grow closer to God. It is this kind of love and friendship that is needed for a church to grow and be a powerful force for God. When we demonstrate this kind of friendship and fellowship toward one another, we'll see good things happen; we'll see miracles.
In Christ's body we're connected to each other, after all Ephesians 4:24-25
If you are interested in finding out more about the Fellowship Ministry's upcoming activities, email Scott Urquhart at surquhart7@yahoo.com to be added to the email list for announcements.