Christian have always enjoyed sharing a meal together. The disciples ate together with Jesus on numerous occasions throughout His ministry. The church, in its infancy, ate together for the purpose of fellowship and caring for one another. Eating together is a tangible expression of love, service, and unity. It brings an opportunity for genuine connection and a heartfelt community. Not only does it nourish our bodies, but a meal together nourishes our souls by supplying us with a full feeling for our need to know and be known. It allows us to have a priceless face-to-face conversation.

We are digitally connected constantly. We share texts, memes, emails, Facebook posts, and the occasional TikTok video; however, because a significant amount of communication is nonverbal, very little communication is actually shared digitally. This is why it is so crucial for us to actually be together and share our time, laughter, stories, and food. Seeing someone’s eyes light up when they tell you about their kids, latest project, or business venture is priceless. Seeing and feeling someone’s facial expression and tone of voice when they share their struggles, sins, and sufferings is priceless. We need real-people contact as a church family.

It saddens me to realize that authentic communication, fellowship, and genuine relationships are in decline in our culture. Families are eating less and less together, and we are inviting people into our homes less and less. We are becoming more divided and isolated. However, one of the identifying marks of a faithful, healthy church is it creates authentic relationships by being together as much as possible. Christian need to be together talking face-to-face. This is when true joy can be made whole. John writes, “Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full” (2 John 12). Sharing a meal in fellowship sets us apart from the rest of the hyper-individualized world. Our fellowship testifies to the reality of the church of Christ. God wants and expects us to be together because the church’s ability to flourish is impossible without relationships.

Let me encourage you to be together as much as possible. Not just in worship but face-to-face in honest conversations. Join us at the table, and let’s talk, share, and build relationships together.

This month at NHCOC, there are multiple opportunities to be together in fellowship aside from our regular worship and bible class times. Here is what is on the calendar:

 

* You are invited if you were a teacher in our NHCOC Education Program in 2022. RSVP with the church office by JAN 25th. 

I love you,

Alex Mills