In 1765 John Fawcett was...
Illustration
In 1765 John Fawcett was called to pastor a very small congregation in Wainsgate, England. It was a small parish and very poor. But it was rich in love. One day a large church in London, who had heard of John Fawcett and of the fine work he was doing at Wainsgate, came and offered him the opportunity to be the pastor of their congregation. It was a difficult decision. Before leaving Wainsgate, the members of that small congregation gathered to say good-bye to their pastor. As they were gathered together John Fawcett asked them to sing a new song that he had written for the occasion. It is a familiar song.
Blessed be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Fellowship is essential to the life of the church. A church should be a fellowship of kindred minds. Whatever destroys that fellowship destroys the church. The word that we translate "fellowship" from the New Testament is a word rich in meaning and imagery. It is "koinonia." It literally means "to share," or "to be partners." This is the feeling, koinonia, that Paul experienced with the church at Philippi. May this feeling be found in all churches for the church is "... the fellowship of kindred minds." -- Frank
Blessed be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Fellowship is essential to the life of the church. A church should be a fellowship of kindred minds. Whatever destroys that fellowship destroys the church. The word that we translate "fellowship" from the New Testament is a word rich in meaning and imagery. It is "koinonia." It literally means "to share," or "to be partners." This is the feeling, koinonia, that Paul experienced with the church at Philippi. May this feeling be found in all churches for the church is "... the fellowship of kindred minds." -- Frank
