Fellowship and accountability are vital parts of church life, Alabama-native Joe McKeever pointed out during two LEADERconnect presentations at the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention in Montgomery Nov. 18–19. But fellowship and accountability are weak aspects of most pastors’ lives, he said.
“Christ says, ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst,’” McKeever, retiring director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, quoted from Matthew 18:20. “There’s something special about us coming together.”
Unfortunately this fellowship is the weakest part of churches, he said, noting that most people come to church looking for fellowship and don’t even know it. And the church doesn’t seem to know it either, he added.
“People need it (because) God made us social beings,” McKeever said.
But instead of letting the world provide the fellowship, authentic fellowship is available through Christ, McKeever said. “Fellowship is nothing but our God and His love in it.”
Preaching from Acts 2:41–47, McKeever said there are three key “stones” God uses in building His church: the Word of God, the work of God and the worship of God.
The Word, work and worship of God sit as the building stones, but they are mortared together by fellowship, he said.
“(Fellowship) is not only found … around the building blocks, but was in them also,” he said, differentiating between formal and informal fellowship.
Formal fellowship is integrated through Word and worship, while informal fellowship “was when they were hanging out together. … [The disciples in this Scripture] are loving each other, praying for each other and reinforcing each other.”
In addition to the need for fellowship, Christians also need accountability, McKeever said.
“It is God’s plan for you and me in the ministry, at whatever level of ministry we’re in, for us to have two or three very close friends with whom we can meet on a regular basis for prayer, encouragement and accountability,” he said, quoting Proverbs 27:17 “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
“And I don’t think it’s optional. I believe it is part of the plan.
“You’re going to get abrasion and friction and maybe a few sparks will fly when iron sharpens iron,” Mc-Keever said.
“That’s what happens when friends sharpen friends.”
But these friends are not personal clones or admirers, he said. Rather they are people who are a little different, “a little stronger in some areas.”
Noting three ways to find these friends, McKeever said, “Ask: a-s-k.”
“First, ask (a). Tell the Lord,” he said. “Often when I’m coming to a meeting where I know I’ll meet other preachers I ask the Father, ‘Give me a new friend today.’”
Second, seek (s). Expect the Lord to answer.
Third, knock (k). Take advantage of opportunities and create others.
“The whole point, of course, is no more dullness (in our ministries),” McKeever said.
“God is tired of dullness and I’ll tell you a little secret, we are, too. We’re tired of it in ourselves; we’re tired of it in other people. So one of the best things we can do is get with a friend.”
Jesus had 12 disciples but He also had three closer friends: James, John and Peter.
“And if Jesus needed that, it’s not a stretch that you do, too.”
Share with others: