Issue #57-January 2017

To kick off this year, we asked Pastor Mayinja to tell us what

true fellowship in 2017 should look like.

Pastor Mayinja
Francis Kironde
Pastor Mayinja Francis is married
to Ruth.
They have two children: Melody
and Dennis.

activities are not fellowship

As human beings we are created for relating. If you dont have time for others,
you are living an abnormal life and there is something lacking because
individual fulfilment comes from other people who affirm us, encourage us and
give us confidence. If you are too busy for fellowship, then you are too busy for
yourself.

3. Are there ways people can stay in fellowship beyond church gatherings?
Very much so. However, let me first say that Sunday services/gatherings are a
He is passionate about discipledistraction in very many ways to true fellowship. Having small meetings/
fellowships creates the environment in which people are able to break through
ship and loves spending time with
each others fakeness. Also, creating opportunities through which we can do
people.
things together like witnessing, prayer, visitation, etc gives room for deeper
1. As one who has been in church ministry for a long time, how would you
relationships hence deeper fellowship.
define fellowship?
I define fellowship as selling yourself for the good of first and foremost God
because He is the one who calls us to fellowship. But since we do not see God,
we do it to others so that God may be glorified. So, in other words, fellowship is
selling yourself for the good of others.
Humanly, we are all always concerned about ourselves but fellowship gives us
an opportunity to give ourselves up for the sake of others which ties into Jesus
commandment of love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Fellowship is looking out for the interests of other people and treating them as
you would have them treat you.
2. Is fellowship as defined in the Bible still applicable in this day and age?
Very, very much so! One of the things I am learning and I am always reminded
of is that Jesus calls us to be in fellowship. And we cant be in fellowship unless
He enables us to be because He is the one who gives us the ability and the
power to be. If we open ourselves to Him and completely commit to do that,
then nothing is impossible for him to make true fellowship in this day and age.

In church gatherings we tend to be intimidated into putting on a fake front

because we try to put on our best and look good to the extent that if one steps
on you, you will say, It is okay when it is not. When you disagree with someone
at church, chances are high you wont let them know. Church gatherings should
be a place we meet to ignite ourselves, to be encouraged and supported, and it
should help us to create an environment where true fellowship will manifest or
develop. However, true fellowship happens in the homes, small groups, one-onone and ministry opportunities. Unfortunately we have turned it the other way
round. Leaders of the church must therefore be in position to look out for ways
through which people can have true fellowship that is progressive and where we
are continuously relating with one another truthfully, supporting one another,
and spending ourselves for each other.
4. If you were to speak to a church audience about fellowship, what
guidelines would you give believers as dos and not dos for building better
fellowship?
To begin with, I would say, remove activities. Activities are not fellowship.
Instead, look out for things that are going to help us be truthful to ourselves so
that it is real. The positioning of peoples hearts is what matters. So people need
to focus on knowing who they are in Jesus Christ and working hard to be that.
The people should build an understanding of each other at a deeper level.

Secondly, none of us can depend on themselves aloneyou need me and I need

you. As Africans, we are a community based culture. Therefore, culturally one is
forced to come out of his or her way to meet others so that we can be. And if
you want to meet others, you will find you will have to put away some things
that you would love to do as an individual so as to accommodate others.
There are people who know me and I know them better because we are in
constant fellowship. They know what makes me come alive and I know what
When you hear things like I
makes them come alive.
am busy, you know that is a
mindset issue. Look at it this
way: you can never be too
busy for yourself. The concept of being busy is an
excuse to promote selfish
ends. But if we open ourselves up to meet the needs
of other people, our needs
too are going to be met.
When you relate with others
and listen to them, they will
listen to you. This will give
self-worth which is one of
the human essential needs.

Here are 3Ts I usually use in premarital counselling because I believe the deepest
fellowship should be between husband and wife:
Time: If you give me time and I give you time, that is fellowship; the more time
we spend together the closer we become. For true fellowship to happen
progressively, time must be spent from both parties.
Trust: It must be given and developed by both parties.
Truthfulness or Openness: This must be exercised in all dealings.
The KEY RING is a monthly publication by the Kampala Baptist Church Media
Team that seeks to provide an avenue where men and women can share
knowledge and understanding of the word of God, experiences and
encourage one another as the older perform the act of paralambano to the
younger.

Pastor Mayinja with his wife Ruth

Drop us an email at kbcmediateam@gmail.com

Our prayer is that the Lord will speak to you through this publication.
Visit the church website at www.kbcuganda.org