When We Gather … Some Observations

Reflecting on what you do and why you do it is not often something we consciously do.

It is far easier to react to events and either change what we’re doing or further reinforce what we’re doing. If there is enough of an investment in the activity it can even be seen as a threat to existence to question practices. Often that feeling of being threatened leads to immediately defending the practice rather than genuinely re-examining the practice in the light of what claims are made.

In any case, in my journey thus far there have been some key junctures where I have had the opportunity to reflect on what I do and even consider if it relates with who I claim to be.

When it comes to the gathering of believers here are some observations – these are just my observations from my journey.

• Focus tended to be towards a pulpit – a raised structure on which would be placed a bible and from time to time notes.
• There were times when people would be given freedom to contribute to the gathering. This was especially the case in encouraging members to share testimonies.
• Singing from the congregation could sometimes be spontaneous and voluntary
• Singing from the congregation sometimes would be led by either one person or a small team of people who would have all the songs organised and timed
• Some of the gatherings would likewise be timed to ensure things finished on time
• Spontaneity was applauded as an expression of spirituality
• Prepared and planned outlines of gatherings were acknowledged as the ‘order’ God looked for
• Set formats and structures of the time of gathering are set and never to be questioned
• Times of gathering would be perceived as performance driven rather than participatory
• Healing would be experienced
• Heartfelt prayers would be experienced
• Joyful deliverance would be experienced
• Powerful words from God would be heard and obeyed
• People conditioned to be spectators rather than participants
• Spiritual growth determined by capacity to perform functions in the gathering to an acceptable degree
• Spiritual growth through the discovery, encouragement and exercising of spiritual gifts were limited to certain people and certain gifts
• Priesthood of all believers was a tagline adopted by some in word, but rarely practised
• Outsiders were made to feel welcome
• Outsiders rarely returned from one off visits
• Gatherings would be geared to a particular cultural expression – whether that was based on a traditional approach from an ethnic background or theological persuasion.
• Gatherings were not pitched to be accessible to all
• Those in the gathering looked to have their needs met and enjoyed pep talks and motivational speeches with promises and blessings given
• Those in the gathering may have been challenged but rarely had follow up on those challenges in preference to the routine of promises, blessings, pep talks and motivation
• Gatherings lifted the spirits of those in attendance and gave them hope to look to Jesus
• Lots of work for the gathering was done by a relative few.

Those are just some observations from experiences of gatherings over the years. There were plenty of others, I just left it at these. I don’t write them as though I am not complicit in these activities. One of the things that matters a lot to me is not distancing myself from what happens when we gather, but taking responsibility fr my participation or lack of in those gatherings.

Thanks to Richard Jacobson and Keith Giles who were influential in expressing questions I had never considered when it came to church and what we do when we gather.

(Photo by Edwin Andrade on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden