Gathering 5-28-15

What we actually do in our gatherings is so different from what is expected of a so-called worship service and we have been doing it for a long enough period of time that I am convinced that I don't really appreciate it for what it is.

The novelty has passed.

One other thing that has passed is the purely theoretical feel that it had for me as I attempted to bring to life, in my time and place, New Testament practices, folding together indications of primitive Christian practice from Acts 20, I Corinthians 11-14 and Hebrews 10.

There is a lot of real life in what we do these days. There is no longer theory. These days, our practice is rooted in theological conviction and shared journey.

And, in the three gatherings so far that take place out of what once was the Seeker-Sensitive, traditional, pastor-oriented, Christendom-rooted church known as Faith Community Church of God, each has its own unique feel.

In the Thursday gathering, what remains most prominently out of the theory that launched our repentance of Christendom Christianity comes, first, from Hebrews 10 and, second, from 1 Corinthians 11.

This gathering is extremely relaxed, yet its focus is intensely on the life of righteousness each participant lives out during the time we are not together. And it is focused on the Gospel. One other characteristic of this group is that it is the one with the least human leadership. We are all brother and sister priests struggling to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Last night, there was a vivid time of focus on the Gospel through the taking of the Lord's Supper. Atypically, I "led" it but, as is typical, the event was interactive. Because this group meets late in the day during a week day, the Lord's Supper, understood to be the most important part of the gathering, is taken first and as part of the meal. This is significant, I think, because that intense focus on the Gospel sets the tone for the rest of the gathering--not a bad thing!

The remainder of the night last night dealt with spurring each other on to lives of love and good works, touching base on what we are doing and talking, constructively, about the other gatherings in our ministry. It had an unfocused feel for me but I could see that the rest of the group was fully on board and were, indeed, spurred.

A good thing.

The journey continues.