"Fellowship": What Am I Missing (Besides Christian Salvation, I Guess)?

March 10, 2008 5:05 PM

I'm Jewish, so at least I've got a good explanation for why this baffles me so much. I'm trying to figure out what Christians (particularly the Evangelical variety) mean when they use the word "fellowship". Sometimes it seems as though the word is simply being used as follows its dictionary definition of amity, friendliness, togetherness, commonality, etc. But I'm increasingly hearing Christians use it as an intransitive verb, which puzzles me to no end. What could it possibly mean "to fellowship"? My dictionary also indicates that the word can refer to communion (uncapitalized, so I had assumed that just meant a secular kind of togetherness) - does "fellowship" mean to take Communion together? Or does it just refer to hanging out with other Christians? Anyone out there who can cast some light on this for a poor benighted Jew?
posted by AngerBoy to religion & philosophy (31 comments total)

You're on the right track. I've often heard "fellowship" used to mean something like "officially recognize someone else as a valid believer." The more common usage is the one that basically means to hang out and enjoy community together, but there is the sense that "I acknowledge the validity of your faith/ the orthodoxy of your doctrines." You many also hear of someone being "disfellowshipped"--either because of heresy or an extreme moral lapse, they were officially taken off of the membership rolls of a church.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 5:10 PM on March 10, 2008

When I use "fellowship" as a verb it means just hanging out with people who belong to this particular group. It is not so much what we do, but that the only reason we hang out is because of this one common connection, but it usually just means going to the diner together.
posted by shothotbot at 5:14 PM on March 10, 2008

It usually means something along the lines of making someone feel a part of something. I don't like it as a term, but that's more or less how I understand it.
posted by The World Famous at 5:23 PM on March 10, 2008

It's Christianese for hanging out with other believers for the purpose of mutual edification and encouragement.

(I'm not terribly fond of christianese, honestly, but I guess every group has its form of "insider" language.)
posted by konolia at 5:28 PM on March 10, 2008

It's probably hails back from the secret handshake order. Rituals, passwords, knowing glances, decrees - *we're in - they're out*. Exclusivity rendered to those that would forgo their own religion, faith, beliefs and become one of the *faithful*. A brother - a fellow - a non-threat to their existence.
posted by watercarrier at 5:28 PM on March 10, 2008

watercarrier's answer bespeaks a certain negative bias that doesn't get at the answer, which is more like the earlier posts. As a verb, I'd view it much like "dialogue" - bastardization of the language
posted by Pressed Rat at 5:32 PM on March 10, 2008

i'm not a christian, but i am a southerner, where wednesday night fellowship is hot, hot, hot. i believe it's basically like a community meeting. a little bible study, a little church business, other non-worship-based community building things (bake sales, food drives, how are we going to raise funds to re-stripe the parking lot, etc.)

i don't believe it is quite as ominous or malicious as other posters say, but like i said, i'm speaking from outside the tribe, so who knows. maybe they slaughter babies. but my expectations are more benign.
posted by thinkingwoman at 5:35 PM on March 10, 2008

My best friend, Methodist, raised Baptist, says:

"Fellowship means to hang out and eat food together and enjoy one another's company. We call the small reception halls "fellowship halls" in small southern churches for precisely this reason. We do our eating there. We say we'd like to invite you all to come fellowship with us after the service."
posted by headspace at 5:37 PM on March 10, 2008

Fellowship implies exclusivity. In matters of matter of unity vs *brotherhood* in Old Testament vs New can be found here.
posted by watercarrier at 5:38 PM on March 10, 2008

In regards to the word being used as a verb: Probably not what was meant when you heard it, but a church I formerly attended had Fellowship Night. Basically a prayer session/bible study for young church members. If you were going to attend, one might say they were "going to Fellowship tonight." Basically referring to it as an event rather than an action. Just a thought.
posted by worstkidever at 5:47 PM on March 10, 2008

Fellowship implies exclusivity.

Oddly, those participating in it view it exactly the opposite way.

Come, come, eat with us, talk with us. We invite one and all to the table for fellowship.

(provided that you meet our numerous shibboleths, of course)
posted by My Bloody Pony at 5:52 PM on March 10, 2008

Yes, it's a buzzword. Like other organizations, churches are susceptible to trends. A few years ago, someone wrote a book about "courtship" (as opposed to secular "dating"), and suddenly the word was on everybody's lips.

Buzzwords are neither intrinsically good or bad - I only mention this so you won't be surprised by sudden changes in the vocabulary of the modern mainline church.

As far as I can tell, "to fellowship" itself means to gather together and share your daily experience as Christians with each other. A little worship and prayer is usually thrown in, but, as konolia says, the emphasis is on mutual edification.
posted by svolix at 6:01 PM on March 10, 2008

Along the lines of what watercarrier says. Christians believe that their acceptance of Jesus enables them to better love all of humanity. I think commands is a better word. Simply claiming Christian beliefs does not automagically give you more love and fellowship to spread around. But the idea is that Jesus loved everyone. So followers of Jesus should love everyone. They should reach out and try to enjoy fellowship (which includes preaching The Word, of course) to everyone. And not just Christians, of course, because God loves all of his creation (but, of course, fellowship necessarily involves witnessing the Glory of God and whatnot).

So in a nutshell, that's what I think they mean.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 6:01 PM on March 10, 2008

I've heard "to fellowship" used to mean "to guide someone through the process of conversion as a lay person rather than a clergy member." I fellowshipped three heathens into the Holy Spirit this year!
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:01 PM on March 10, 2008

You're missing the concept of the body of Christ. Christians have been joined together in a mystical community—the body of Christ, the church, the fellowship of believers. This is celebrated in a formal way through communion, and in an informal way through fellowship. Unbelievers can join in, but there is a sense that they are there to observe and become attracted to this fellowship in action. It's a way of celebrating a community life based on a spiritual bond. In an informal setting, this amounts to eating and talking together and encouraging one another. Sharing the load.

If there's anything I miss about the faith, it's that.
posted by heatherann at 6:03 PM on March 10, 2008

I believe this is one of those things where "christian"= US protestant as I've never heard this used in or around a catholic church*.

*possibly due to a lingering fear of an angry nun materalizing from nowhere with a ruler and dispensing an english lesson on the corect use of nouns.
posted by fshgrl at 6:10 PM on March 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

The connection to "communion" is, I believe, in the old sense of communion. As in, "the Coptic Church was once in communion with Rome," meaning that they were considered part of the same Apostolic succession, not separated by any heresy, apostasy or doctrinal conflict. Obviously, "fellowship" can mean simple gatherings of believers - I have a dim memory of enjoying Fellowship Evenings at my Methodist Church - but I believe you will also find it used where "communion" was once common. "To fellowship" with another Church or a group of people is to share a spiritual bond, to recognize not just fellow believers in Christ but people who share (more or less) your particular interpretation of scriptures, doctrine, &c.

(BTW, I might be incorrect here, but I *think* the original use of "in communion" stemmed from the practice of the Church in Rome sending actual pieces of Communion bread to churches in other parts of the world, to signify their spiritual bond.)
posted by Banky_Edwards at 6:17 PM on March 10, 2008

The Jehovah's Witnesses, when they shun a member use the term "Disfellowshipping." Although I think the word is actually unique to them, as my spell-check won't have it.
posted by parmanparman at 6:24 PM on March 10, 2008

At least 30 years ago from a fundamental southern baptist in my neck of the woods... It's that thing *you* do on Friday night. Every couple or three Sundays was pot-luck lunch day when everybody would stay after morning service, eat and hang out until evening service. Or they would rent out a Putt-Putt course for the afternoon. Or a pool on Monday for the boys and Tuesday for the girls. It may have changed, I'm about 25 years out of the scene...
posted by zengargoyle at 6:27 PM on March 10, 2008

Wow.. Yeah, I remember the "courtship" fad. That creeped me out a bit, but even when I was a true Christian, CHristianspeak always bothered me for some reason I could never put my finger on, but as has been said above, that doesn't mean there's anything necessarily onimous about its meaning.

Also, Welcome Back, Konolia. The place hasn't been the same without you. Seriously.
posted by Navelgazer at 6:47 PM on March 10, 2008

Being nice. And friendly. And opening your doors (physically and emotionally) to accept others. And bowling.

That's how Unitarians use it, anyway.

Caveat: I am not a Unitarian, I just fellowship with them.
posted by sondrialiac at 7:06 PM on March 10, 2008

Yes, it's a buzzword. Like other organizations, churches are susceptible to trends.

United Methodists are waaay early-adopters, then -- we fellowshipped all over the place. This term was in use in the late 70s when I was a little girl.

There were the prayers and blessings intrinsic to any church function, but the implication was more social, with the sharing of life's troubles/joys and a moral support option.
posted by desuetude at 7:06 PM on March 10, 2008

I dont think it's simply a trendy phrase. In the book of common prayer used by the Anglicans , which has a long history, you sometimes see it used as in this passage
posted by canoehead at 7:14 PM on March 10, 2008

Fellowship is the best part of most religions. I am the picture of ambivalence on this. I am a fervent beiever yet I hate most organized churches, but only on principle. I love attending, and I love the community, but wen it comes to approaching my god, I do it on my own terms, I guess you could term me the radical protestant. Anyway, I was raised Episcopalian and for me the highlight of the service was always the "peace" which is the point in which everyone, well we Episcopalians are pretty uptight so maybe that is important, turns to their neighbor in the pews and shakes hands and even sometimes hug. It is beautiful. I could attend just for this, almost.
posted by caddis at 8:24 PM on March 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

I am a lapsed Southern Episcopalian (not much to lapse from, but there you go). "Fellowship" was used as above in prayers, and in some churches, very un-creepily as a reference to getting together for coffee and punch next door after the service.

It always seemed creepy when the Baptists used the word to talk about their (Wednesday!?) church meetings, though. Like they were planning something.
posted by lackutrol at 9:17 PM on March 10, 2008

I would take it as relating to 'communion' in the ordinary sense of mutually appreciated unity, not to the sacramental meal per se. Over in Mormondom the even more awkward nominal form, 'fellowshipping' and its pal 'friendshipping' have been around, and have kind of been bugging me, for at least two decades and likely much longer.

They're just jargon, in the end: Shorthand for 'Hey, this new/future church member is facing all these unfamiliar experiences, new vocabulary, changing responsibilities, maybe altered habits/lifestyle, normal awkwardness, new social circle, etc., which can be a lonesome and frustrating time, so why don't we make sure there are some appealing things to do and some good people keeping an eye on them. Make sure they have a friend here, and an appropriate responsibility, and that they keep getting the spiritual nourishment that got them interested in the first place.' In short, they're precisely about helping out the people who don't know the shibboleths and mores and things. (The 'seekrit handshakes' we save till later, till they're an old hand at the day-to-day stuff—by which time we may have forgotten that longtime members need fellowship too. This is unfortunate.)

The OED traces the verbal use back to Chaucer, so newfangled it isn't. And yes, 'to disfellowship' is related; in nineteenth-century America it would have literally meant to cease treating someone as a fellow citizen of the Kingdom of God (i.e., to shun them). In modern Mormon usage, disfellowshipment is a disciplinary action beyond probation (you did wrong, you seem repentant, we'll see if you do it again) but short of excommunication (you're out); a disfellowshipped person may attend church functions, but may not perform ordinances/sacraments, receive communion, give public talks or prayers, or undertake other trusted responsibilities until restored to fellowship.
posted by eritain at 9:51 PM on March 10, 2008

Not to drop verses ala Jules Winnfield, but a few instances might help:
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...
Philippians 3:10
We who had sweet fellowship together/Walked in the house of Elohim in the throng...
Psalm 55:14
and so forth. (NASB version)
posted by dawson at 10:54 PM on March 10, 2008

Let's not forget fellowship's kin..."witness". As in "I witnessed to a homeless group."
posted by Thorzdad at 4:50 AM on March 11, 2008

As a verb, I'd view it much like "dialogue" - bastardization of the language

As eritain said, it goes back at least to Chaucer (Boethius II. vi. 53 "For contrarious þinges ne ben not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres"), and turning nouns into verbs is one of the basic ways English has expanded its vocabulary from the beginning, so you might want to rethink your approach to this kind of thing.

Nice to see you back, konolia.
posted by languagehat at 8:15 AM on March 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

I think you are referring to fundamentalist Christians, not "evangelical" Christians in your question. Evangelical is another term that has been coopted to mean something other than it's original.
posted by Pollomacho at 1:55 PM on March 11, 2008

Heck, I'm a Card carrying Pagan and we use the term "fellowship" among outsiders as our way of "broom flying under the radar".

"I can't make it Saturday because I have fellowship with my faith group" flies better with the PTA than "I can't make it Saturday because my coven is meeting for a full moon ritual". Especially in a red state in the Midwest.
posted by foxydot at 2:00 PM on March 11, 2008