Our Fellowship Covenant
Vision
We aim to meet together regularly for the sake of being the body of Christ,[1]
building one another up by the Spirit through the gifts God has given us toward the end of becoming more like Jesus, for His glory and our joy.
Mission
We aim to fulfill our vision through[2]:
Praying for one another at our meetings and throughout the week (All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer…Acts 1:14, Pray without ceasing -1 Thessalonians 5:17. Be anxious for nothing, but through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God - Phil 4:6).
Fellowshipping together: intentionally “going-deep[3]” with another (…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one each other, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near - Heb 10:25).
Giving to the needs of the believers here and abroad[4] (For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints…2 Cor 8:3-4. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worth of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth – 3 John 1:5-8).
Studying the word of God together (…I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one - I John 2:14. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God - Col 3:16).
Confessing our faults and praying for one another (Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed - James 5:16a).
Edifying, exhorting, and encouraging one another - speaking the truth in love[5] (…that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine - Romans 1:12. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… Ephesians 4:15. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another - Proverb 27:17. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing –
1 Thessalonians 5:11. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it - Titus 1:9. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God - Col 3:16).
Weeping and rejoicing together (Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep - Romans 12:15. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice - Phil 4:4).
Bearing one another’s burdens[6] (Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ - Gal 6:2).
Being gracious toward one another (Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly - Proverb 14:29. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention – Proverb 15:18. Know this my brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…James 1:19. Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive - Colossians 3:12-13).
Loving one another (And above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony - Col 3:14. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal 5:14).
Resting in the peace of Christ (And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body - Col 3:15. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus - Phil 4:7. Live in harmony with one another - Romans 12:16a. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone - Philippians 4:5a)
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” Colossians 3:17
Group Scripture Passage
“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together!”
Psalm 34:3
“Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father though him.”
Colossians 3:12-17
Order
We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30 at the Carlson’s home. The following is an example of a typical evening:
After some intentional fellowship[7] with one another, we gather for group prayer and singing. Casey will lead us in a song together and then we pray for an unreached people group along with a missionary family. During this time, one person will take the children into another room to allow for a more focused atmosphere – we all take turns doing this. This portion of the meeting is also used for family updates, scheduling group activities/ministries, and anything else the Lord may want us to hear. Following this, we take a short break and have some dessert while the children are sent to bed, spend time in prayer, and lastly have some study time[8].
Every meeting we will split into separate prayer groups of men and women hoping for deeper intimacy and transparent accountability. Herein everything shared will remain completely confidential, especially between couples[9].
If there happens to be 5th Tuesday of the month, we will decide together how to use this day either as another typical meeting, retreat, service project, or other special event.
Order and formatting of an evening is only to be used as a guide to fruitfulness and staying on task. If there should ever be other needs present among us, those needs would take precedence and would be addressed (i.e. a member of the group coming in with a burden or special word from the Lord).
New Members
We will strive to always be willing to add new members as we feel the Lord leading us and as needs arise.[10] New member candidates should be suggested during the prayer time for discussion and prayer. After a group decision has been made[11] we will either invite the couple to come to a meeting to see if it would be a fit for them, or not invite them.
We recognize that certain chemistry and phase of life is helpful in fulfilling our mission, though not essential. Therefore, we want to be as open as we feel the Lord leading, and consider new candidates with much prayer.
Support of Missionaries
We have a desire to joyfully take part in the work the Lord is doing around the world. One practical way we do this is by taking a small offering at each meeting that we can send to a missionary family in the form of a care package. We may also use this fund to bless someone in need here. Each meeting a new unreached people group is brought to our attention, and we pray for that group. Also, we pray for a missionary family that the Lord has pressed upon our hearts, or as a default we use the table tent provided by the mission department.
Childcare
We want to be realistic and recognize that a focused time of study can be less distracting and more fruitful without the presence of children. Therefore we are asking that each couple present $5 at every meeting[12] which will be used to pay an in-home child care provider.[13] All money will go to Ann who will manage it as needed. Any money raised beyond our childcare needs will go toward retreats, special events, special needs, or missions.
Study Methods
Fighter Verse Study:
This study consists of reading the current fighter verse together and looking into its meaning and significance in our lives. Specifically we will discuss: 1 - what stands out upon initial reading, 2 - the meaning of the verse in its context, and 3 - the practical applications for our lives. We believe that the power of the Word of God combined with the Holy Spirit in us can lead us in paths of truth![14]
Book and/or Other Study:
Phil will facilitate us through the study of a book or other material decided upon by the group. He will seek to implement creative ways to interact with the material to gain understanding and tangible application in the lives of group members.
Transparency and Confidentiality
In order to fulfill or mission, certain levels of transparency will be required. Whole group transparency would be desired though this is very hard for most people and not common in the American Church. We will require that every member in the group be transparent[15] with at least one other member.
Complete confidentiality will be required of all group members with out exception. If there ever arise a situation where we feel the need to talk about a member of our group with someone else, that person must first approach the person they wish to talk about and ask permission.
Conflict
We will seek to uphold the biblical guidelines[16] as regards conflict outlined in the book “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande. If a conflict cannot be settled within our group context, we will involve a mediator.[17] Any conflict that cannot be overlooked is unresolved, and unresolved conflict will not be tolerated as it destroys true fellowship.
[1] Communal living - body life wherein we put into practice the things mandated for us in the word of God concerning the fellowship of believers.
[2] We recognize the word of God has given us all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) but seek to fulfill this specific list intentionally together.
[3] Not just simply hanging out together.
[4] See section on support of missionaries.
[5] We will speak of the work we see God doing in one another’s lives and of the evidences of sin we still see lingering in the old man. We will humbly confront one another, knowing it is only by grace we are who we are, and only by grace can be become who we are supposed to be in Jesus.
[6] We will encourage each one to persevere in carrying his backpack (the load God has called us all to carry), and joyfully come to the aid of those carrying a grand piano (a burden that no believer can carry alone). This idea stems from the Soul Care model taught by Tom Eckblad.
[7] Fellowship that aims at edifying the body, not simply passing the time with surfacy conversation. Hanging out in the truest and most meaningful sense.
[8] See section concerning study methods.
[9] For more on confidentiality see section on Transparency and Confidentiality.
[10] Whether our group has a need or there is a couple that needs a small group to join.
[11] This may take more than one meeting.
[12] When they are able. This is not mandatory, but recommend when the Lord leads us to give.
[13] Preferably this would be a youth from the church that would be willing to come watch our children for a reasonable payment. May God provide this person when our time comes!
[14] Even if there is not a gifted teacher among us, we can still gain much from reading and reflecting on the word of God together.
[15] Confessing your sin and ask for prayer! “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.” James 5:16
[16] The Bible gives us all we need to resolve conflict; this doesn’t however mean that guides like the Peacemaker aren’t helpful and practical for groups to adopt as policy.
[17] This will probably be Tony Campanga unless a more appropriate candidate is needed.
