Acts 2:42 describes essential activity among those who found themselves part of the nascent church immediately after the monumental Day of Pentecost described in Acts 2: “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.”
No doubt you heard preaching on this episode, and have probably preached about it yourself. I want to point out to you the advantages of one of the four principles listed in this verse—fellowship.
Of all the definitions I have heard to describe the concept of fellowship, I like this one the best: Fellowship is two fellows in the same ship. Although fellowship and friendship are not exactly the same, they do have characteristics that overlap. I want to share with you my perspective on why fellowship is so important, especially for ministers.
As you have probably experienced, it is unlikely that you will find peers among those you pastor. You will be able to fellowship and be on friendly terms with them, but you will not be able to develop friendships with them as most people understand the term. What this means is that pastors and ministers must cast a wider net to interact with people who have similar responsibilities and interests without compromising confidentiality or other ethical considerations.
Another reason fellowship with other ministers is important is that ministers need the same kind of affirmation and confirmation as anyone else. People sometimes forget that ministers are more than men and women who have a call of God on their life to proclaim the gospel message. They have to accomplish the same tasks, encounter the same difficulties, overcome the same obstacles, and deal with the same delays as everyone else. As I have often said, ministers are fallible human beings fulfilling a divine calling. It can be very helpful to share stories about not just ministry, but about life with others who have a similar set of responsibilities. Sometimes our calling demands we deal with things alone with God. There are other times when it can be very helpful to explain a frustration or failure with someone who knows and understands, since they have experienced it themselves.
Another reason for fellowship is to be able to turn to trusted partners in prayer. When an obstacle is too big to move by yourself, agreement in prayer can multiply your effectiveness. Someone who is faithful in prayer and in keeping confidences is an invaluable help in any walk of life, but especially in ministry.
Ministry involves more than its share of tangled problems and complicated circumstances that defy resolution. Fellowship can bring you in contact with those who have gone through or dealt with the same or similar situations. They can share insights or answers to perplexing problems, or testify about how God miraculously provided them with a breakthrough that will encourage your faith. Since God is no respecter of persons, He will do for you what He did for them.
Fellowship also affords you access to doors of opportunity that you might have never found without making the acquaintance of those you may have otherwise never met. The world emphasizes the concept of networking, but God does more than that. He will supernaturally arrange for you to meet and interact with people who know more than you know. Many times, they will be willing to share their knowledge or insights with you. You may receive a revelation, gain a new point of view, or see an answer that eluded you before. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
Finally, fellowship can provide a sense of refreshing and restoration that often comes from a change of perspective. One of the reasons people take vacations is to experience something different from their usual routine. This often enables them to relax, take a break from their usual responsibilities, and have an opportunity to reconnect with family members and friends without their ordinary constraints. Fellowship with others doesn’t have to be as elaborate as a trip to an exotic location, but it can provide the same sense of recovery and relief, if just for a brief period of time. Jesus led His disciples in intense periods of ministry punctuated by seasons of retreat in quieter, more intimate surroundings. We should seek to do the same.
You have undoubtedly heard that DCM 2024 is approaching, from July 5-7. Among other benefits, we can take that opportunity to experience fellowship with one another in an atmosphere charged with expectancy. I look forward to seeing you there!
