Fellows on a Ship

I picture if a bunch of fellows were on a ship together (especially a small ship) there would be a plethora of secret handshakes, jokes, chest bumps and various bodily noises (not stereotyping at all).

What I'm trying to get at is, they would form a bond, a fellowship. Purpose Driven Life (PDL) focuses in on experiencing life together. "Fellowship" usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun...real fellowship is more than just showing up at services. It's experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other "one another" commands found in the New Testament." (PDL p. 138)

I remember potluck Sabbaths in the "fellowship hall" at my home church growing up. They were the best, hands down. Even the suspicious Mr. Christoph dandelion leaf casserole and annoyingly constant shortage of Special K loaf made a mark in my memory. My friends and I would stake our claim on a round table and screeched as many metal chairs as we needed across the white tile floor while our parents (mostly moms) ran to and fro looking for that last woven pot holder to make the lengthy line of marker initialed Pyrex dishes complete. Us kids would eat as much (dessert) as we could and hang out as long we could. I could always tell how long we had been at potluck as to what articles of clothing my dad still had on. He would always start potluck with a complete suit and tie. Usually a black suit, white shirt, and a varying shade of red and mildly patterned tie. Most "de-clothed" I ever say him was minus jacket, tie, shirt untucked and top three buttons down (scandalous I know).

I loved the fellowship. As a little kid I needed that fellowship, time to run around with other kids (mostly boys) talk about what games or forts we were going to build after that dreaded "Sabbath nap" we all never took, but said we did, before the sun down game nights could begin. 

Now I need a different type of fellowship. I need an experience. I value the people in my life who I can have those open honest experiences with. It's a bond that doesn't need the "ship show" of chest bumps and arm pit fart noises. "Real fellowship happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives." (PDL p.140)

I've found true fellowship with a small group of people and PDL agrees that small groups are the most  effective way (after all Jesus had 12 disciples). Even though I don't live in the same state as them anymore my fellowship is anchored on the east coast where I have had so many honest experiences and took time to invest in relationships, that even in distance hold strong. I am experiencing that in AZ now. The intentional relationships I'm forming can't be beat. I'm filling my "ship of fellows" with people that will not only lead me, but let me lead, build me up, and keep me grounded. These ship mates bring an authenticity that overflows into every part of my life. It guides and pushes my ship on a one way course to a closer relationship with God. This journey is going to be a great one.