Oddy, J: Christian Fellowship

What is fellowship? What makes Christian fellowship unique? Is fellowship more than mere social activities? Many American Christians today are unaware of the biblical and spiritually rich concept of fellowship. Perhaps the cultural tides of individualism and consumerism have weakened the Christian experience of fellowship in the Western world. Possibly a lack of biblical teaching of this prominent theme of the early church could be another factor for its scarcity in today s church. Whatever the influences or factors, many are not experiencing a vibrant Christian life that is thriving in genuine, authentic fellowship. Through a theological study of the Greek word koinonia, the author suggests that fellowship, namely, Christian fellowship, is a spiritual experience grounded in the Trinity that is expressed spiritually and practically among Christians, especially in a local church setting. In fact, Christian fellowship is of utmost importance for the Christian community for spiritual health and effective witness.