Koinenia is a Greek term that occurs many times in the New Testament and is usually rendered as fellowship or partnership. Paul writing to the church at Philippi begins the letter with this thanksgiving:
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6)
This is a major theme of the book and especially chapter 4. For Paul this “partnership in the gospel” was more than just relaying a message. This Christian form of partnership incudes sharing of gifts, but also needs and concerns, of meeting material needs, but also sharing hurts and wounds. This giving and receiving was an essential component between pastors and churches and between churches and other churches.
Last month the Nashville Baptist Association hosted a small group of ethnic church pastors and laymen for leadership training. This was the first event of its kind in more than five years. Fady Al-Hagal, who leads the International Leadership Coalition and is the Multiplication Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church led three sessions on leadership. These included effective habits of a leader, making spirit led decisions and endurance in the ministry. I also led a session on humility in leadership and the roles of New Testament leadership. All were well received, and we had good questions and discussion at the table.
We hope to have more training events this year and in the future. There is a need for good church training for the ethnic churches of Nashville. Several of the pastors have asked for youth and children’s ministry training for their churches. There are also needs for church operations training, which would include legal and tax help, retirement planning and the like.
While these ethnic churches of Nashville need training and fellowship, many of them have much to offer in terms of teaching and training the American church. How can we learn from them in terms of persecution, refugee ministries, world religions, evangelism, and discipleship among their people groups? When we serve these churches, we serve Christ. When we love these churches, we love the bride of Christ. A good question is how we can train these ethnic churches in the spirit of service. A better question is what can they teach us?
Update on pastor Oscar Aguilar: The association under the leadership of “Ramp Master” Paul Vawter was able to build a wheelchair accessible ramp for pastor Oscar last month. Oscar, Miriam, and John were so thankful to the association for this gift. A few days later I received a picture of Oscar taking his first few steps since the stroke. Praise God.
Blessings,
Brett Boesch
International Ministry Strategist
bboesch@nashvillebaptists.com