Forsake not the Gathering

So what constitutes a gathering? What makes it an 'official' gathering? 

Was the sermon on the mount not a gathering? 

Was Jesus preaching in an overcrowded home a gathering? You know..the one where they had to let in the lame man through the roof. 

What about when the press was so hard that he stepped back into a boat in the harbor to preach? 

Was the upper room feast a gathering?

What about Lydia and her household by the riverbank who were worshiping God? 

What about when Jesus went to dine with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus? 

Are there certain characteristics that make or break a gathering from being a gathering? 

Many religions have taken everything they could find in the NT and brought all those things together and packed it into a 45 minute Sunday/Saturday morning and they claim THAT is what makes it 'official'. But I don't see that teaching in the Bible in that context. 

The early believers met wherever they could. Homes, riverbanks, synagogues, hills, and the outside of Solomon's porch. They can gather anywhere. 

I believe the key is not to isolate from other believers. As much as we know God is love and His love is greater than any other, we still need one another. I believe this for a few reasons. One is that God created mankind in their image. He said 'their' so there was more than just God (Jesus was there) and we know the angels were there too. Fellowship sure seems important to God and Jesus spent His time on earth in very close fellowship with his disciples. He even fellowshipped with gluttons and publicans. ;O) 

Does this mean we lose the love of God if we don't gather? Absolutely not! Nothing can separate us from the love of God. But the relationship with God among other believers is icing on the cake. Before my first child was born, my husband and I had a sweet relationship, but having a baby made it so much sweeter. With the addition of each child, our family life become more abundant of love and fellowship within our own family. Relationships are so wonderful, especially when the common foundation is Christ. 

I believe in gathering, as often as possible actually. But in my heart and life right now, I desire a more natural gathering style. You see, after being in a church structure for 15 years, I found that 45 minutes on a Sunday morning did not mean I was developing true relationships with people. Many people rush into church just before the service starts to get their seat and rush right out after it's over to go be with their families. There really wasn't much time for fellowship and building relationships. 

Our family gathers with believers a few times a week, but even throughout our days our home is always open and people DO come by. They know our home is a haven away from the busyness of life and they are welcome to come and go for fellowship as often as they'd like. (As long as we're home).

We share about the blessings of our Lord in each of our lives, we encourage each other in the Lord by lifting each other up, reminding them that God loves them, and sometimes they ask for advice or we ask for advice about any given situation any of us has at the time. This opens the fellowship to deep abiding studies of the Lord and searching for what He has for us that will produce His fruit in His time in our lives. 

It has been the most natural setting of gathering we have ever experienced. It's where we grow, learn, and worship together. We have musical instruments so anyone can begin music if they feel led, and they do. The gifts within each of us is present and those who teach, do. Those who serve, do. Those who correct, do. It's much like having a family night, just with the larger part of the 'family'. We frequently have an edible communion together by way of large feasts in His honor as well. As a need arises and someone wants to give to help someone, they do. We read the Bible together, study together, sing together, pray together. It is one of the highlights of our whole week, to be able to gather. 

However you blossom in your gatherings, in whatever way it is conducted to help you grow, don't forsake that gathering.