True Fellowship: Church as Community

by Arthur Katz

True Christian Fellowship is much more than coming together for meetings; it is a daily relationship, an integration of life with the brethren in which we share the awareness of our imperfections and struggles in the faith. There is a necessary redemptive suffering that is intrinsic to true fellowship without which true fellowship is not possible. Humiliation is a suffering, and when God called us to establish a community, it was a call to the Cross. We were going to be living in close proximity with other believers on a daily basis, which meant that our defects, our shortcomings, our failures, and our sins would be revealed. Out of the agonies and the joys, we gave opportunity for a reality to come forth that can best be described as “true fellowship.”
May these pages communicate to the reader something of that glorious reality. May we, with the apostle Paul, be able to say in our deepest hearts, “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21).

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Art Katz was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1929 of Jewish parents. Raised through the depression years and turbulence of World War II, and inducted into Marxist and existentialist ideologies, as well as merchant marine and military experiences, Art was brought to a final moral crisis as a high school teacher—able to raise, but not able to answer the groaning perplexities of the modern age.

During a leave of absence and on a hitch-hiking odyssey through Europe and the Middle East, the cynical and unbelieving atheist, vehement anti-religionist and anti-Christian was radically apprehended by a God who was actively seeking him. The actual journal of that experience, Ben Israel – Odyssey of a Modern Jew, recounts his quest for the true meaning to life, which climaxed significantly and symbolically in Jerusalem. For More Visit the official Website: About Art Katz

Arthur Katz also published under the name Art Katz
and Aaron Katz (disambiguated as Aaron^^Katz)

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought-provoking examination of both modern and ancient Christian communities. Helpful studies for Christians to live sacrificially and victoriously as the Body of Christ. Katz’s background as an atheistic Jew and Marxist who converted to Christianity as an adult undoubtedly influences his recommendations, as well as his experience at the Ben Israel Fellowship in Minnesota.

My faint criticism is that Katz has a very exclusive approach to teaching. He uses the word “only” a lot, even in situations which do not warrant it. (Also, though Katz was born in Brooklyn some of his writings give the impression that English was not his first language. The reader can usually puzzle out his meaning, but it’s not always easy.)

Not for beginners, but a helpful guide toward living in fellowship.

[David M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been few men like Katz to walk this earth. Thank the Lord for them.

[Brad Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excelelnt book on the subject of what true body life should bring forth. It questions much of what we call "church" today and exposes the reader to some potential new concepts as it regards the Body coming together. The only down side I found was the authors views on the end times. Though not necessarily wrong, they seem to over power the general subject at times.

[Bob Mendelsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

With every challenge, and these abound, one has to know that Art lived this out with his complexity and consideration. Being the community of faith is not easy, and Art knew that full well. You will be glad to have read this