MysteryFellowship.org
         to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery

              A Typical Meeting at Mystery Fellowship

Our meetings begin by sharing a meal together (the original, first century expression of "The Lord's Supper," or "The Lord's Table"). Depending upon the week's location, you may bring a sack lunch (if meeting out of doors), order from the restaurant we are meeting in, or share from a meal prepared at that week's host home.

As the meal winds down, someone might offer a brief opening prayer, after which we might worship together for a few songs. There is no "worship leader" as any are welcome to lead the group in a song or psalm God has put on their heart, or teach the group a song God has given them. We encourage those with testimonies of how God has moved in their life this week to also share their story at this time.

While most modern churches emphasize (in a near legalistic way) the importance of "not forsaking the assembling," they generally ignore the more salient points of the verses. To wit, most churches will assemble believers to passively listen to one person teach or exhort the entire congregation, rather than to practice the rest of the verse - "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works... and "exhorting one another" (see also Hebrews 3:12-13). Our fellowships are designed to mutually edify one another, as 1 Cor 14:26 reads "when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." Any trusted attendee who knows Christ as Lord is allowed to minister Christ to the others, via a teaching, song, or gifting, and to encourage and pray for others, because every born-again member of Christ's Body is both a minister and a priest.

As an ice-breaker, or momentum-builder (but not a necessity of the meeting) 1-3 facilitators might share a short message or teaching from this week's reading - whatever God taught them or spoke to their heart while reading His word prior to the fellowship. All attendees are also encouraged to "step up" and likewise share for up to 5 minutes - usually from this week's reading. The focus of all sharing (singing, teaching, etc) is Jesus Christ, not pet doctrines (teaching meetings are welcome any other time, but serve a separate function from the weekly corporate gatherings). Comments, discussion, or questions from regular attendees occurs during this time as well. We may also read letters, e-mails, etc from "sister churches," Christian friends we are separated from by distance, or reports from missionaries. If a Biblical holiday or feast day occurs that week, a teaching on the importance of the day should also be offered. Prayers for any sick in the group and anointing of oil by the elders (James 5:14, 15) are usually offered every week, and the requests of the needy may be made known as well.

This is how a typical week's meeting might look. Then again, it might not! Occasionally, we might never get past the meal, but allow relationships and conversations to organically flow into ministry or edification, without ever formally "calling the meeting to order." The same might happen following the worship, prayer or testimony time. Elders and facilitators usually come prepared with something, but might feel the Lord prompt him/them to simply sit back (with an eye towards "decency and order" 1 Cor 14:40) while The Holy Spirit orchestrates the meeting.

Upon leaving, SASEs are left by all who wish to be notified of next week's meeting location by mail. Offerings may be included, as well as prayer requests. Financial gifts are not used to pay salaries to our workers (you may make separate offerings to teachers on your own - Galatians 6:6, 1 Tim 5:18) ; rather these offerings are distributed by the church's mutual decision to local widows & orphans, those who expressed needs, and perhaps missionaries supported by the congregation (or other brethren in need outside of our immediate group). If you left a SASE behind, you can expect to receive next week's meeting location info in the mail, along with a "bulletin" detailing the reading plan for the week, prayer requests and perhaps information about how to help someone in need.

More about our SASE system here >>>