How then Shall We Gather?
It is not good to abandon the assembly. Gathering is a habit and it
takes practice to do well. It is not good to misuse our liberty, to be
distracted by the variety of tasks and options at our disposal and dispose of
Christian community.
It is not good to be alone. Don’t worry introverts, I’m talking about
isolation not the frenetic activity extroverts bathe in. But these plague years
have taught us at least that, while the current ethos of our society is to not
be joiners—to be skeptical of gatherings—an isolated life is disjointed.
Similarly, to put such an emphasis on Christianity as a personal relationship
that you ignore any public and communal component—any moment where you might
rub up against those with whom you disagree, and in so doing learn from the
experience—is to miss being formed into the Body of Christ.
It is not good to gather in ways that exclude, that make the assembly
inaccessible. This can be lack of handicap ramps, or rejecting the vernacular
in worship to such an extent that the reason for gathering is unrecognizable.
It is not good to gather without purpose. While I would defend
Christian community as an essential component to a functioning democracy in
this country—that the common practice of gathering with those whom we disagree
for the sake of something greater makes for better citizens—civics is not the
ultimate goal of gathering. No, we gather because it is here we meet Jesus, our
Lord. It is assembled that we know ourselves to be part of the body of Christ.
It is together that we meet for worship and praise.
It is good to gather together in the name of Christ. It is good to do
so regularly, as a holy habit. Step out of the isolation of our time and join a
faith community! Doing so builds trusts, relativizes barriers, gives us space
to build one another up, and be the Body of Christ. It is messy, but it gives
us the stability of routinely engaging with other people and learning once
again how to love each other.
It is good to take the opportunities of our time to gather in a variety
of places. Doing so can be a welcome, a witness, and a way to navigate the
world as it is. It is good too, to listen to what the Holy Spirit is up to;
notice when new people are gathering together and see if you can join them, and
if new people are gathering with us, make sure they have what they need to be
fully included. It is good to assemble in a way that is accessible to all!
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