Last Updated on June 24, 2018 by OCF Communications
“We’ll miss you. You know how to neighbor.”
Those words came from neighbors across the street as the moving company was loading our household goods. They used the word “neighbor” as a verb. They also said “You know how to ‘coffee.’”
We would often find that elderly couple sitting on their front porch sipping coffee with a welcoming smile and an extra cup of coffee for anyone passing by. Jean and I would typically stop and visit before continuing on our walks or chores. While there were many in the neighborhood, few took the time or effort to “neighbor.”
This raises a question: “Are we merely in a fellowship or do we ‘fellowship?’”
As a home fellowship leader, I can say unequivocally that “fellowship” is BOTH a noun and a verb. We have a place of “fellowship” (noun). And we have the activity of “fellowship” (verb). Obviously, we need both. Both the noun and the verb can be challenging. Finding someone to host a home fellowship is often challenging. At other times, taking the effort to fellowship can be tough. Fellowship is mostly about listening. This is the rub. We are called by Christ to both extend our hearts to Brothers and Sisters in the faith, but we are also called to be transparent. It’s all a matter of how to love. If we love first, then we listen and we share.