The Need for Fellowship
God never intended for man to be alone. He needs someone to walk with, talk with and share with. He needed fellowship. So, he created Eve. It is not suitable for any man or woman to be alone because all humanity needs connection.
The Bible is full of men who had partners, teammates, friends- fellowship. The reason is that one cannot do (especially the will of God) alone. All one must do is think about Gideon’s army; David’s mighty men; Abraham and Sarah; Ruth and Naomi; and who can forget about Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego. All these people walked with each other; they fellowshipped with each other, all while serving The Lord with each other. It is not suitable for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18a).
Leaders must indeed get away by themselves. There are certainly some places where leaders must go it alone. There are some things that leaders must do by themselves and decisions they must make, that no one else can understand. However, these are events not intended to be the usual way of life. Loneliness is not a gift from God; it is a curse from man. The reality is that even mighty men/women of God need friends and fellowship because it is not good that man should be alone (Gen. 2:18a).
The Purpose of Fellowship
When one thinks of fellowship, one can rightly assume a type of relationship. The word fellowship is defined as “1) Companionship, company; 2a) Community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience; 2b) the state of being a fellow or associate; 3) a company of equals or friends; 4) The quality or state of being comradely.” Jesus is an excellent example of this as He sent out the seventy. He never sent them out alone but with a partner (Luke 10:1). He understood that they would face challenges, have to encourage each other, build each other’s faith and someone to rejoice with, etc. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 does a tremendous job explaining “fellowship.” “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. If they fall, the one will lift his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, they have heat, but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The purpose of the fellowship is that one is not walking or serving alone. There indeed is strength in numbers.
Ministry is an exciting occupation because it taxes the whole of the one that is called. There is the physical side of ministry (which often takes physical labor and much mental activity), but there are also the spiritual attacks that come because it is a spiritual battle. The enemy of the soul does not want The Word of God preached; he does not want people saved, healed, or delivered. He does not wish to the person of God to succeed in their ministry. So, the devil sets out to thwart our plans, try to discourage, attempt to get the minister out of focus, and separate the minister from other ministers. And so, this becomes a battle. But as Ecclesiastes 4:12 says: “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” In other words, a fellowship is important to withstand the work of the enemy. There is strength in numbers, there is wisdom in numbers, there is joy in numbers, numbers are creative and there is power in numbers. In other words, one cannot successfully do ministry alone.
Fellowship Is in Our Name
The word “fellowship” is in the name of Kingsway Fellowship International. Thus “fellowship” becomes the promise that its members should expect. It is Kingsway Fellowship International’s responsibility that all its members can benefit from having people that will walk through ministry with them.
What Fellowship Looks Like
Though Kingsway Fellowship International is not a denomination, it desires to walk with ministers as they pursue their unique ministries. The fellowship offers its members friendship, fellowship, someone to bounce ideas from, seek advice, encouragement, prayer, and opportunities to meet and connect/network with other people in the same and different ministries. This is done through conferences, web-based, direct contact, and connecting people. In other words, the members will have people to call for prayer, encouragement, or just to talk.
Board Members and Leadership
Those that serve on this board or any leadership position for Kingsway Fellowship International, realize that the position is one of service to its members. The position is indeed voluntary and everyone has their ministry, yet the position is to actively serve the membership.
Leadership Guidelines
We strive to make every effort to personally attend the Kingsway Fellowship International State (their state) and International Conference. If they are unable to attend, they must have a representative to fulfill their duties (excluding voting).
Those that serve on the board/ leadership will personally invite members that they oversee to the State and the International Conferences. This can be done in person, via text, Facebook, letter, etc.
At the International Conference, board members/ Leaders look to seek out those that are in their state for a time of fellowship.
State Superintendent will reach out to those that are new to the fellowship with a welcome letter. Everyone in the state will hear from their Superintendent at least twice a year.
The board and Leaders of Kingsway Fellowship International come to the World Conference a day before the event to get all “business” taken care of. This will also be a time for the board member or leadership to socialize with each other. In that way, they are free to meet, greet, socialize and minister to the members when they arrive.
World and Regional Conferences
KFI’s World and State (Regional) Conferences are important features for being encouraged, revived, and receiving training and are important tools to enhance fellowship. This is the place where people can get to know each other over a meal, and worship together.
When a person comes to a conference two meals are provided (the men’s/women’s luncheon and the mission’s luncheon). This gives a chance for people to break bread together and get to know each other. There is also an opportunity for people to fellowship throughout the day, and it is greatly encouraged. You will hear in the announcement, the challenge to take someone to dinner, and a list of restaurants and activities will always be provided so that people can get together for individual or small group social activities. We want to always encourage friendship.
The board and the leadership will be good examples of this, as they will always look for someone to connect with, take out coffee, share a dessert with, or meet someone new. One will also notice that the Bishop, Board Members, Superintendents, and Kingsway Fellowship Leaders do not sit among themselves at lunches, breakout sessions, or services. You will find them among the members. We all want to get to know each other because we all serve one another.
Mentorship
Kingsway Fellowship International believes that mentors are important. There are two types of mentors in Kingsway: 1) organizational mentors and 2) ministry-specific mentors.
Organizational mentors are the crux of Kingsway Fellowship International. These are people who can walk the person through the organization and life. These are the people that check on the members to make sure that they are doing well, that they have all questions answered or point them to the right resources, they have someone to talk to, and the mentors check up on them periodically by email, text, Facebook, etc. The mentors inform Headquarters about anything that they need to be aware of about the person (a death in the family, a trauma, something to be celebrated like a marriage, graduation, etc.) so that further ministry can go forth.
Ministry Specific Mentors are those that have expertise in a particular field that has made themselves available for the fellowship.
Conclusion
Ministry is hard work. It is taxing on the mind, it is spiritually exhausting, and it can be quite a labor intensive. Many ministers are bi-vocational and simply exhausted. On top of this, many feel like there is no one to talk to and no one that either cares or understands. Others are retired, no longer serving in the same capacity that they once did. It is quite possible to feel like one’s life is over or that one no longer serves a vital role. It is important that those all feel as though they have someone who is there for them.
Amid everything that Kingsway Fellowship International does for its members, the first and foremost is “Fellowship.” Kingsway is an organization that promotes friendships for they believe that it is not good for man to be alone, and they believe that they are called by God to be a partner for ministry and ministers.
KFI provides leadership; Bishops, a board, superintendents, district superintendents, and mentors to encourage, pray, listen and care. There are experts in many facets of ministry that are available to seek advice from, and people who can point you in the right direction for answers. Kingsway seeks to connect people where it seems appropriate. KFI is available so that a minister (active or retired) does not have to be alone.
