When was the last time you said, “Man, it was good to be in church today”?

It has been tough getting back into a Sunday morning church routine.  However, it is God’s desire that we gather together with Him and feel the blessing of being with the Bride of Christ.

In Genesis, we read that God created Adam and Eve to be physically gathered with Him.  The Old Testament speaks of gathering the people of Israel in the Promised Land and also to assemble regularly at the temple where He dwelled.

Jesus uses the word “church” in the New Testament.  Paraphrasing Matthew 16:16 – ‘I will build My church (which means assembly).’  These assemblies (churches) were meant to be places to dwell with God.  Revelation 21:3 says “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them.”  The church is also told to come together to partake in communion, lift up God’s name in praise with song, and read His word out loud.

In Hebrews 10:24-27 we are told to choose ways to stir up one another to love and do good works and not to neglect meeting together.  We are to encourage one another until the day draws near.  When we gather together, these commands are easier to achieve.

Zack Boren came across a recent read entitled Rediscover Church by Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman.  This book does a great job explaining what the church and its functions are. It offers believers a way to rediscover the church of Jesus Christ for His glory and for the forward movement of the Gospel.

Chapter 3 presents the question:  Do we really need to gather?  The two authors point out that when we gather, the church shapes each one of us as individuals and also shapes us collectively into a culture, a force, or a movement.  When we gather together, this gathering offers a visible testimony for the whole world to see.

The authors also point out that attending church does NOT make you a Christian.  The point is that attending church is what Christians do!  It demonstrates that the Spirit of Christ is in us, and therefore, we desire to be with Christ’s people.

So, if you have allowed the pandemic to keep you from coming back to church, please consider what scripture says about the importance of being a part of an assembly on the Lord’s Day. 

First Christian Church of Pittsfield has a copy of Rediscover Church in the church library.  If you are interested in reading it, please get in touch with your elder or the church office – 217.285.4129.

Wayne Chamberlain

Elder