Making and maturing gospel-focused, grace-filled disciples of Jesus Christ

Koinonia - sharing a common life, community, fellowship

The word “Koinonia” shows up over and over in the New Testament. It is a word that is used from the first gathering of the church (Acts 2:42) and all throughout the epistles. “Koinonia” is often translated “fellowship.” This translation isn’t wrong, but our picture of fellowship is often very limited. We think fellowship is any conversation with another Christian that usually involves food, but “Koinonia” means far more than a conversation. When Acts 2:42 says the early church devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, it is not simply saying that they had a fellowship meal or that they talked a lot, although neither of those are bad. “Koinonia” is saying that the early Christians shared a common life together, that they had a relationship that flowed out of a shared life in Christ. Their fellowship involved praying together, giving to each other, encouraging each other in the Word, and more. “Koinonia” wasn’t a church service; it was the shared life of the Christians in the church.

Fellowship can develop naturally in a church. Fellowship can happen over some coffee in the foyer. Fellowship can happen as one person befriends another and encourages them in the Word. It can happen when someone finds out about a need and meets that need. No announcement was needed or program started for that fellowship to happen, but fellowship can also easily be missed in a church culture. With ministries to volunteer for and sermons to listen to we can easily have a full church calendar without having true Christian community.

So to help produce true Biblical community (“Koinonia”) we will be forming community groups. Our community groups will be 6-10 families that will gather at different points throughout the week to study to share their life in Christ together. These groups will study God’s Word together, enjoy a meal together, care for individuals who have needs, and reach out to visitors in our community throughout this year. Our community groups shouldn’t be viewed as another service or as simply a Bible study, but a group of individuals that come together to encourage each other and serve together.

If interested in being in a community group, please contact a pastor that is organizing a group in the area you are interested in.

• Pastor Luke - West Bend (2 groups)

Beginning September 12 at 11am at the church building
AND also beginning September 12 at 6:30pm at the Love's home

• Pastor Dave - Jackson

Beginning September 12 at 6:30pm at the Tuttle's home

• Pastor Caleb - Menomonee Falls

Beginning September 17 at 6pm at the Schrank's home