Our Time Together
Jesus said wherever two or three gather in his name, he would be with us. He foresaw occasions when only few would gather, and he knew we might be dismayed by it. This is not to advocate assemblies of three, but is a call for us to examine our times together.
Jesus does not call us together for self-congratulation, but to bear one another's burdens, and praise him for deliverance.
For too long church meetings have been seen as dull, shallow, manipulative, hypocritical, boring, irrelevant, contrived, even dead.
Distinctive doctrines or practices have not produced assemblies where we are changed to the glory of God.
We should consider why our coming together usually leaves us substantially unchanged.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that their coming together was not for the better, but for the worse.(1 Cor. 11:17)
Their coming together was to further the transformation of their lives, but it wasn't happening. While our assemblies may not leave us worse, they often leave us the same. We need further transformation into Jesus' love, and our coming together is to provoke this.
James Rutz' 1989 book, The Open Church, advocates the renovation of our assemblies by providing opportunities for all to participate, expressing our faith. He notes that we have accepted the role of spectators rather than participants, stunting our growth. Churches have "stand and greet" times to counter the isolation of being expected only to listen, but never speak. We make ourselves known by speaking.
Many of us have participated in small groups, both in prayer and sharing the meaning of scripture for our lives. From these times we have seen faith and understanding and love for each other flourish. Meaningful songs soften our will . Words of Jesus teach us our dependence .
These times make Jesus' love visible, creating circles that other sinners want to enter. We can experience this in our assemblies also.
One fear that church leaders may have of such a format is that it might turn chaotic. That is to be avoided, and has been.
When only few speak it is more difficult for us to fulfill, "consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works." - Hebrews 10:24
When one empties himself to give another hope, the voice of Jesus is heard by all. Also notice 1 Corinthians 14:24-25.
Our greatest fear is our own need for change . Changing songs won't help. Our remaining sin requires repeated self-emptying.
"Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you."- James 4:9-10. We turned to Jesus to be freed from sin, how can we be perfected ignoring what remains?
The fact that 12 step meetings have changed more lives than most churches is a telling commentary on the effect of our times together.
Those who enter the 12 steps for help recognize that they have an ongoing problem. Many of us who come together every week don't.
We need a different structure within our times together that allows for both our faith and our sins to be shared. We recall the words,
"Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief." There is power for transformation beyond our imagination. It remains largely unsought.
The conclusion of Simeon's prophecy to Mary is intriguing:
"yea and a sword shall pierce through your own soul; the thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." - Luke 2:35
"And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13