As we grow in understanding on different topics, it’s easy to say things like “The church hasn’t taught…” or “We’ve overlooked…,” when in fact we need to personalize that a bit. I shouldn’t blame previous generations for my lack of insight. So I’ll try to accept responsibility for this one.
I’ve come to realize that I’ve failed to see the community aspect of faith. I mean, I’ve talked about the church, the body of Christ, our role as members, etc. Yet I’ve especially been guilty on Sundays of creating a virtual isolation booth around my person, losing awareness of the people I’m there with. I see now that trying to worship in an individualistic way cuts me off from the purpose of the assembly. “We gather together,” we assemble, we come together as the people of God. It’s a community moment. There are times during the assembly when we might lose ourselves in communion with God, but we mustn’t lose sight of the horizontal aspect of what we’re doing. We sing to God, and we sing to one another. We seek ways to encourage one another, to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” We take the Lord’s Supper as a body, waiting on one another and considering one another. We greet one another. We confess to one another. We share prayer concerns and pray for one another.
We have many times during the week to commune with God individually. Our sharing times with our spiritual family are less frequent. Let’s not waste them! That’s a lesson I’ve needed to learn and still need to learn. I know that my spiritual life will be healthier if I do.
[Photo by Martin Boulanger, sxc.hu]
As a minister and missionary, the challenge is even greater for you.
Have you ready “A Gathered People” yet? It is probably the best book on public worship I’ve read.
I don’t know if it freaks people out that I look around during the Lord’s Supper and smile at them and stuff. Scripture says that I need to discern the Lord’s body during the Supper — so I keep reminding myself that Paul says that these very people are the riches of the inheritance of God (Eph 1) and that Jesus wants me to see Him in each and every one of their faces.
I hate the separation that a traditional pulpit places between me and the family, the few times I get to preach.
I’ve done a “light reading” of AGP; I came away unconvinced, which probably means I need to read it again. Several people whom I respect have bought into that interpretation (particularly based on Hebrews) that our worship assemblies are a time of fellowship with saints that have passed away. I still don’t see it.
I definitely believe, however that we need more of a horizontal focus in our assemblies. I guess you know that several of the early Restoration leaders advocated using tables instead of pews in our church buildings. The Lord’s Supper should be a time of sharing, not a time to close your eyes and forget everyone around you. [And those who know me will tell you I don’t stand behind the pulpit except when I have to]
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I look around when I’m singing & try to catch others’ eyes & smile at them. We have a regular visitor who likes to ask us to stand up & look all around at each other while we’re singing. I think it does make people uncomfortable, but I wish we did it often enough that they’d get used to it. What other practical ideas do either of you have for the church to develop the horizontal aspect of worship? What are things that I can do to encourage it?
Practical? We don’t do practical here in the kitchen.
All right, just for you. Seems like greetings are a good place to start. Everyone needs to understand that church is about coming in and connecting with other people. I think an understanding of the difference between “to God” songs and “to my brothers” songs also helps. And a reminder of why the Lord’s Supper is often called communion.
Could be a start.
Grace and peace,
Tim
Tim, your remarks lately have been so much in tune with my thoughts, it is stunning. I, too, have always felt the congregational worship time should be a connection, not just an individual action. Like Nick and Lisa, I,too, look around while partaking to mentally share the experience and meaning of our actions. When singing a song, I smile if it is joyful, not downcast or sad but sorrowful when it is that type of song – paying attention to the words, and not just reading the musical notes to stay on key. The times together should be similar to a family reunion – loving and caring for each other. Of course, that part should not be left at the door, but continued daily. If we do not “behave” as a family on earth, how can we ever enjoy being the eternal family? I was reminded today that Lon never accepted being “lucky.” He said we are “blessed” and that is the truth. We have been blessed above all people because we have the Lord in our hearts and our lives. As you are doing with your work and travels, you are attempting to bring others into that joyous fellowship. God bless you.
Thanks Jeanne. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers this week. Lisa’s tributes to Lon have been very touching.
Grace and peace,
Tim
Thanks for “doing practical” just for me. :)