Church is where The Church gathers

     2020, in many ways, is calling-our "bluff!" and it's interesting to watch.  For instance, I have yet to see a person who will adamantly argue:  "The Church isn't a building….Stop hurting/killing people" who also joyfully commits to a local assembly, accountable membership, oft burden-bearing among brethren & is actively using their spiritual gifts.  I am not a conspiracy zealot or a denier of medical realities.  It is true that a small part of the population is best served by strict self-quarantine,  but  “Masks!” may have become a cover for some other desire or comfort: Spiritual Distancing.

   I value being with my Church. But I also enjoy being at my church. Neither ever gets old, and neither should be adopted as optional or separable.  I fear we are developing a generation of people who do see it that way and they are lacking a great blessing, unique to Christianity.  God's people are not limited by parishes or wards, we are connected by the purpose and object our Faith, Jesus Christ, regardless of locale.  But being together is inextricable to that dynamic.  I remember as a kid, Saturdays with Dad arriving early to make sure bulletins were ready and chairs were in place while he finished up things in his office for an hour or so before Sunday. My brother Matt & I running in & out of Sunday School rooms, the choir loft, pretending to preach. Hollering. Wednesday night youth group, Friday fellowships, Saturday basketball or campus work day, It was our place.  I still enjoy an occasional stop-by the campus during the week to say hello to people working.  There are times I coordinate a meet-up with a friend or client at campus.  There are few places I enjoy more.  It's hard to explain, but many people have shared the peace, enjoyment, encouragement and memories they have at 13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA.  The encompassing neighborhood has changed over the years, the amazing diversity of Los Angeles has literally surrounded us, yet the relatively small plot of land about a dozen miles north of downtown has consistently been a community beacon, a frequent haven for all; both a landing and launching pad for many generations. 

 

    I've seen many Sundays before or after the Service, parents sheepishly instruct their kids to get off the stage or get out of the planter or fountain; and Dad, as Pastor, laughs: "Let 'em go. I want the children to love this place; to have fond memories, for it to be their favorite place to be when not at home. It's theirs."

    Many arguments are offered: "church is the people not the building", "Christian freedom", Romans 13, “think of others”, “unloving” “you’re killing people” etc.  But none address the normative blessing, opportunity, need, desire or enjoyment of being present with the brethren at the same place often.  Friendship and discipleship are a profound part of church, especially in a world devoid of it.  It’s essential.

    When I read or hear remarks: "What's the big deal? Do video-home church, don’t you care?. Unloving!". 

   Care? Love?  We’ve redefined the terms.  I now recognize the people with these opinions are missing something special; a desired place of joy, comfort, peace, friendship, safety, etc.. It's a rallying point. It's not mystical. It's not the size. Just a uniquely special place.

    It isn't just about worship; yet I'd contend that the paramount purpose and benefit of physical, corporate gathering is the great unified exaltation of our God.  The intuitive bi-product of this among the Children of God is affinity, affirmation, confidence, comfort, encouragement.  No other gathering or social structure distinctly describes meeting together in person with a noun that is usually used as a verb: Fellowship.  That is because the gathering of God's people is both a active verb and it is a formal title.  The Church is unique.

    The push within much of broad Evangelicalism, from leaders and pastors on down (some w/out even realizing it), over recent decades tried to make church attractive, almost”shiny”, de-formalized and in many ways effeminate; to offer an emotional, reactive, casual-lite status in the body-life.  It is now showing a devastating ripple effect.  Not surprisingly, the attempt to make church as soft and non-structured as can be, has produced parishioners (if that old-fashioned word can be used) out of the same mold: Low doctrinal/principle barrier for entry produced low emotional/commitment barrier for exit or absence.  A weak body with atrophied spiritual muscles from a lack of heart-searching exercise to develop convictions from strong, Biblical teaching/leadership is very evident.

    I distinctly remember an influential class in College, History of the Church: Prof J. Barnett.  It impacted me.  The sacrifice and commitment for the Gospel passed on through the Church over history is astounding. Even before, but looking at the Huguenots, the Scots with Knox, the Swiss with Zwingli, Calvin/Luther et al. etc.. Great men; Newton, Wilberforce, Watts, Then the Puritans, Edwards impact, even Spurgeon, Moody. Recent men such as ML Jones, Boice, Sproul, Wiersbe, etc..  They were churchmen, not celebrities.  And now this generation is in an "inflection point" that history will review.  We must be strong.  There is a line of affiliation and respectability. Stand in it.  

   It's 2020>Are we going to sacrifice for the Church? Many won’t come if sermons are more than 20 minutes and donuts variety doesn’t include “fancies”(pardon my pastry fluency). Martyrdom is using powdered creamer in percolated coffee.  And now masks!!

   I wouldn't make a clarion call for high-church ecclesiology, nor is it my goal to poke at “those not like me” Luke 18:11.  But I do think the physical church and Church body is and should be unique. It should be different from the world, than the local coffee shop, the theater or even my home.  When we value the gathering, we make a statement to God and to the world: He is priority for me and His people are important to me.

    I love the Church. Christ loves his Bride. And church is where The Church gathers.  There are many shapes and sizes, but if you have no affinity toward being at and with your church take a deep breath and consider again.  Are you missing something?  And no, it's not a requirement or precursor to salvation.  It's just an thought for encouragement.  

    Being together at church should strike a rare combination of reverence and comfort. A place you are eager to be, yet have a sense of duty also. That’s OK. Duty is not a bad thing. After all, we used to sing “I’m in the Lord’s army!” It requires a giving-up of myself.  Being sober-minded is not mutually exclusive with being full of joy. It’s the opposite, joy is fullest when a mind/truth is most engaged.  Church should cause a spring of joy. 

   John 15:11 Jesus speaking: "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."

   The heart/mind of the true Believer desires to know God more, to worship Him often, to sing/celebrate Him; together. 

   Prov 8:17 Author writing of wisdom [of God]: "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me."  Nothing compares to that dynamic as it occurs in the context of a local Church.

    The regular Church gathering is how the hungry mind can be fed a Scripture-truth feast, the heavy heart nourished in exalting Psalm/song,  the display of specific spiritual gifts/service and one's weary or refreshed spirit uplifted in fellowship.  If that is not your normal Sunday dynamic, change your approach or change your church (literally or practically).

    I wrote about the long-term results of this dynamic last year for Dad’s 50th celebration at GCC. In reflection, if you watch the livestream recently or read the articles and just don’t understand why those people are there, if you're bewildered why GCC is taking such a strong stand, why is going to a physical place so important?  Why does GCC continue to grow despite it’s geriatric leader and traditional, conservative style?  This may explain a bit of why you see pictures of a full auditorium each Sunday. It's not because of the man up front and it's not a political stunt. It is love.  A love for God, His inexhaustible revelation through Scripture and affection for His people. It is not stubborn personal rebellion.  It’s a statement of humble, reliant trust in Yahweh, the God displayed in the Bible, whom they have come to worship. 

   Those people are not acting in defiance, They are expressing that they love The Church (Ekklesia), the gathering of their church.

Have a read - Throwback: http://m2stewardship.blogspot.com/2019/02/why-love.html