Fellowship Ministry

“And they devoted themselves … to the Fellowship …. 

All the believers were together and had everything in common …. 

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Acts 2:42-47

Purpose

The fellowship ministry of the church is devoted to the continuous work uniting the church body in harmony (Rom 12:16; Phil 2:2) and in the love toward one another (John 13:35; Rom 12:10; 1 Thess 3:12; 4:9; 1 Pet 1:22; 4:8; 1 John 4:7, 10-11) for the purpose of building each other up (1 Thess 5:11), spurring each other on (Heb 10:24), striving together for the faith of the Gospel (Phil 1:27), and other such purposes given in the scriptures.

Church Member Responsibilities:

Though not every member is given by the Spirit the gift of hospitality (Rom 12:13), every member is to be in fellowship with one another (Heb 10:25).  Thus, as the members of the first church “devoted themselves” to the fellowship ministry, members of this church shall devote themselves to the fellowship as a participant or as a facilitator of fellowship so bearing the Spiritual gift of hospitality. 

Lead Team

This team will consist of church members who are spiritually gifted for this ministry (Hospitality, Mercy, etc.).  The team will also consist of the the appointed deacon(s), who may be a lead team member, but at the least function(s) as a helper and observer.  The pastor shall function as the elder/overseer of this team (1 Peter 5:1-5).

Areas of Assignment for the Fellowship Ministry

1)   Monthly fellowships

a.    Fellowship meals

b.    Fellowship events (Christmas lights, Superbowl parties, etc.)

2)   Community Group Hosting

3)   Breaking bread fellowship groups

4)   Conduct quarterly or as-needed meetings to evaluate current fellowship activities, determine and address specific needs in the ministry, and plan future worship activities.  The appointed deacon will then present the evaluations at the next deacon’s meeting.  The leader of this team will then present their scheduled activities at the next ministry council.

Procedure:

Appropriately gifted church members may volunteer for or be recruited to the lead team of the fellowship ministry.  Each member who does so shall commit to a one-year term that is renewable at the end of each year of ministry.

The lead team shall designate one member to be the team leader.  The team leader shall commit to a one-year term.  The team leader is responsible for organizing and conducting the quarterly or as-needed meetings and serves as a representative of the fellowship ministry on the ministry council.