The Fellowship

A Gladstone Community House

          I was with my family to the Gladstone Community again this evening. The Community is a fellowship of Christian believers who live together in different houses in the local neighbourhood of Mariemont. They practice the 'common purse' idea, and each contribute as he or she is able, and each is fully covered and receives the same sum in pocket money.They own businesses, like home repair and lawn care, and are planning for a coffee shop. They run an orphanage here in town, and also in a mission abroad. They provide housing for widows and young families. They take in foster care children, and they have a nice set-up for individuals with a troubled past. There is a lot of time for fellowship, for common meals and common time for worship, for bible study, discussion groups, teaching sessions...and friendship. Most of the participants are single young people in their mid to late 20ties, and early 30ties.

At Mariemont Community Church

          In church today we listened to the testimony and story of Brother Hussein, a former Muslim who had come to faith in Jesus and who had been in Christian ministry for many years. He shared how Jesus had revealed himself to him, like in a vision, and he had become a new being in Christ. He shared about the power and work of the Holy Spirit in his witness to Muslims. I was touched by the deep and sincere love this brother had for people, and how he reached out and shared the news about Jesus.

          Before the message there was time for communion, for prayer around the sharing of bread and grape juice. They sought each other out, prayed together, confessed sins to each other, and ate the communion bread, dipped in the juice, together. It was a time of catharsis, a time for forgiveness.

          After the message, there was time for prayer. Huddled together in groups of three or four, we prayed for the people in the Muslim world, some we knew, some we included in the general prayer. We prayed for the Christians who live among Muslims in the Middle East, and for their persecutors. A dim buzz was heard in the sanctuary, the sound of people praying softly.

          Then there was time for more song and worship. Strong arms in the air, lifting 'holy hands' to God. Some were on their knees, in a stance of adoration. The whole group of people sang in unison at the end, with all guitars and drums, keyboard and base resting, and the the last chapter of the book of Revelation was read out loud, as a final benediction. And the congregation voiced the "Come" two times.

          Form and content are influencing each other. The form of the worship service opens or closes expressions. In this context, there was room for people to exercise their spiritual gifts of different sorts.The gifts of the Holy Spirit have a function in building up the community of believers, to strengthen their faith in God, to encourage them in the daily life with God, to instruct them in the things of God.

          Personally I like to make the motions of the cross over my body, in Orthodox fashion, because it tells me that I belong to Christ from my mind to my belly, through my heart, and in my soul. I sneaked the motions in, but it felt a bit foreign. I thought about the way we share communion at home, and I cherish coming to the altar ring, kneeling, being in quiet prayer and confession, receiving the elements, hearing the comforting words of absolution... God is there, and we worship in in different forms.

Gladstone Community Welcome

           I have wondered, though, if we give ample opportunity for people to exercise their spiritual gifts. How do we encourage each other in the faith? When is there room for words of wisdom, for sharing knowledge, for caring for each other, for prophesy, for miracles (?!)... Are we captured in the rational way of thinking, of striving to be scientific in our outlook? Do we seek honour from men rather than from God?

           And what about volunteering time, effort, money, etc.? Some are contributing, but why are we not all doing that? What sort of volunteering am I thinking of? Now, let's talk. I do not intend to define the fellowship; that must be found in community with each other.