Are “Fellowship Meals” Really “Fellowship” Meals?

Many congregations eat what they call "fellowship meals" together. But are they really having "fellowship" when they do such? Just what is fellowship?

If eating food together is fellowship, then we would be forbidden from eating with unbelievers and denominational people, because Christians are not to have fellowship with anybody who is not a faithful Christian (Eph 5:11). But that would contradict I Cor 5:10 which teaches we can eat with unbelievers and the like.

Wigram-Green defines the word "fellowship" in this way:

verb (Strong’s #2841) – to share

noun (#2842) – partnership, fellowship

adjective (#2843) – generous, liberal

So a good working definition for church "fellowship" in the New Testament is "spiritual sharing." There is not a single place in the New Testament where church "koinonia" (fellowship) refers to social meals or recreational activities.

Eating food does not edify spiritually (Rom 14:17); instead, feasting on the word of God does (Acts 20:32). The only "fellowship meal" the Bible knows anything about is the Lord’s Supper (I Cor 11:17-34).

The reasoning of those who advocate Church Social Meals would also allow for:

· church sponsored Super Bowl parties (you know, with giant widescreen TV)

· church sponsored piano recitals

· church sponsored Shakespeare plays

· church sponsored checker tournaments

· church sponsored basketball games (in church gymnasium)

· church sponsored swimming and pool

· church sponsored golf tournaments (and a church owned 18 hole course to play them on)

· church sponsored horse racing (along with a church built quarter mile track)

· church sponsored movies (including a theatre)

· church sponsored ??? (you fill in the blank)

Conclusion: We need a New Testament passage for authority for Church Social Meals just like anything else (Col 3:17).

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