What Does It Mean to Be in Fellowship?

What Does It Mean to Be in Fellowship?

Our vision has always been to build more than just a store. Something we can share with others regardless of their creed, political beliefs, or sexuality. I was taught to care about peoples hearts & intentions. Period.

Recently, something surprising happened. Our neighboring business—a church—attempted to purchase our building from the landlord with the intention of expanding their church footprint into it.

These church elders and pastor were ok with the idea of displacing FauxyFurr so they can expand their church and continue sharing Jesus’s message. The irony…

On paper, it’s just business—Yet when you peel back the layers, it raises an important question: What does fellowship really mean?

Fellowship, at its best, is about lifting one another up.

Leadership rooted in fellowship seeks to nurture—not to consume.

Strength comes from building alongside others - not taking away what they have built.

This experience has had me in deep reflection…

Is it possible to hold ambition and growth without disregarding the good that already exists in our community?

Fellowship, after all, is a way of living and is greater than 4 wall, one creed, or one political belief.

It’s how we treat our neighbors, how we build our towns, and how we choose to value one another.

Fellowship is cheering on other small businesses, pointing customers down the street to grab a coffee, or hosting events that celebrate the talents of others.

Good leadership protects and honors the spaces and people who make our town vibrant & diverse.

And perhaps that’s the real lesson here. The measure of any leader—or any neighbor—isn’t in how much space they can claim, but in how much space they can make for others to flourish.

Our landlord turned down their offer, twice, because he respects what we have built. We sign a new lease this week. We are here to stay.