What is Koinonia?
Koinonia is the Greek word primarily used in the New Testament for "fellowship." We are a group of church members with different perspectives on how healing and racial reconciliation need to happen at New City Fellowship. We decided to walk together as a unified body to pursue peace and righteousness in these areas. This group was formed to bring light to, and intentionally address, issues of reconciliation within the church.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Philippians 2:1-4
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation (koinonia) in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Philippians 2:1-4
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation (koinonia) in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of Koinonia is to edify the body of Christ by proclaiming and demonstrating a holistic, actionable view of what fellowship looks like between believers of all backgrounds at New City Fellowship.
This fellowship includes, but is not limited to: loving each other, growing together, praying for each other, bearing one another's burdens, healing together, celebrating one another, and practicing longsuffering and forbearance with one another. We plan to accomplish this through intentional and consistent acts that demonstrate what fellowship and reconciliation looks like.
This means that we:
We believe that using this model, we can first achieve reconciliation between black and white people at New City Fellowship. This approach can then be used as a model on how to accomplish reconciliation across other lines of division within the church. By entering into these works of reconciliation, we are better equipped to love each other, love the world, and move in the purposes of God's kingdom.
For more information contact Travis Howard.
This fellowship includes, but is not limited to: loving each other, growing together, praying for each other, bearing one another's burdens, healing together, celebrating one another, and practicing longsuffering and forbearance with one another. We plan to accomplish this through intentional and consistent acts that demonstrate what fellowship and reconciliation looks like.
This means that we:
- Pioneer and live out a biblical view of reconciliation, and show how it differs from the approaches of the world.
- Develop deep relationships with people who are different from us.
- We give a voice to the voiceless. We define and demonstrate what hearing the voiceless looks like, and also what it means to be heard.
- We encourage each other on the path of growth and righteousness when it comes to intentional acts of reconciliation and learning about others.
- We both admonish and forgive others when they stray from walking in accordance to Biblical love and reconciliation.
- We establish that no matter what, we always patiently and lovingly come back to the table of discussion and continue to grow together in fellowship. There is no act that cannot be forgiven.
We believe that using this model, we can first achieve reconciliation between black and white people at New City Fellowship. This approach can then be used as a model on how to accomplish reconciliation across other lines of division within the church. By entering into these works of reconciliation, we are better equipped to love each other, love the world, and move in the purposes of God's kingdom.
For more information contact Travis Howard.
