5 Reasons We Need to Keep Gathering
{I’m overjoyed to welcome my friend, Nicole Zasowski, marriage and family therapist and author of From Lost to Found book. Nicole and her family attend Trinity Church, Darien, CT. About a month ago, Nicole shared these learnings on her Instagram feed and I asked if I might share these with you. Please welcome Nicole to our community!}
One thing I’ve been hearing a lot lately is how much the world will never be the same. We’ve grown accustomed to operating remotely and there are questions about whether or not we will need to or want to gather again in certain contexts moving forward. What saddens me more than anything is when I hear conversations like this about the church.
We have incredible technology and can access amazing teaching and musical worship from anywhere in the world. We can see familiar faces and voices of our home church from the comfort of our living room. This is a gift. But make no mistake (when safe to do so of course), this is not a substitute for gathering in the context of the local church.
Community provides a context in which we grieve and celebrate. And when we all show up, we begin to understand all the ways that Christ shows up for us.
This list is not exhaustive but here are five reasons we need to continue to gather as brothers and sisters in Christ moving forward.
5 Reasons We Need to Keep Gathering – Even if the world feels like it’s changed
Encourage each other. We gather to have companionship in trials and celebration
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Care for each other’s practical needs. We gather to care for each other’s practical needs as well as emotional needs.
“Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.” – Acts 2:44-45
Understand our gifting and to know more of Christ. We gather because our gifting and callings are fully realized in the context of community. And when we all show up, we begin to understand all the ways Christ shows up for us.
“For just as each of us has one body with many members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:4-5
Point one another to Christ. We are not called to be the answer to each other’s pain. However, we gather to point each other to the One who is.
“And let us watch out for one another to provide love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Carry each other’s burdens. We gather to show compassion for one another’s burdens and weaknesses and share the load.
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Thank you, Nicole for sharing the benefits of gathering as a church on a regular basis. I know our gatherings vary one from the other, but as Scripture teaches, let us not forsake meeting together. Our schedules are worth rearranging in order that we might be with the body of Christ weekly. I also believe that people are watching as we gather. Let us give them good reason to come as they are - skeptical, hungry, tired, lonely, in need. That’s how it started for us. See you at church!
photos from Nicole Zasowski