There are some themes and issues in life that I love to dwell on.
One of them is church. For a long time I’ve just been intrigued and fascinated by the idea of church, the expression of church and the challenge of church.
There have been a number of sources that have helped considerably in exploring this issue. At this time I want to again commend the good material on Eric Carpenter’s blog A Pilgrim’s Progress. There is also the Alan Knox blog that has really helped by asking the sort of questions I never even knew were worth asking in relation to the church.
So we gather together – however many of us. We agree to meet – whatever time. Why do we do it? What’s the point?
Then there’s the habits, practices and rhythms that are already in place and may have been in place for a long time. How did they come about? Why did they come about? Why are they sustained? What do they say about the purpose of church?
For when we gather we are saying something. We are saying what is important to us. We are declaring what we believe God holds as important for those that follow Him. We say that in a collective sense, and there’s something about the individual parts of that as well, whether an integral part of the gathering or a casual observer.
It is worth exploring how those questions are currently answered and if changes are needed to align ourselves with our understanding of what God says.
Another excellent web-site that has helped with those questions is Church in a Circle by Kathleen Ward. Check that article about form and function in particular to stimulate more reflective thought for constructive prayerful action.
When we gather – what’s it all for?
(Photo by Nicole Honeywill on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 