Church, Revised
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, . . . Hebrews 10:24-25a ESV
To meet together – “Services are conducted with dignity and precision. The rendition of the liturgy is smooth. Everything is present: decorum, voice, ceremony. But one thing is missing: Life. One knows in advance what will ensue. There will be no surprises, no adventure of the soul; there will be no sudden outburst of devotion. Nothing is going to happen to the soul. Nothing unpredictable must happen to the person who prays. He will attain no insight into the words he reads, he will attain no new perspective for the life he lives. Our motto is monotony.”[1]
Does Heschel’s description of the contemporary Jewish assembly sound painfully familiar? If you didn’t know that he was writing about a Jewish worship service, would you think this is a critique of nearly all Christian churches? When was the last time you went to church with the expectation that something completely unpredictable might occur? When did you last hear prayers that were not well-intonated flowery spiritualisms? When did you go to the assembly not having any idea what time it would end? What church did you attend that did not have an “order of service”? Heschel’s concern about Judaism fits our Christian environment to a tee. And his insight into what is missing is just as accurate. Life is not monotony. Life twists, turns, surprises, evades, bewilders, amazes, startles, stupefies. And we serve the God of life! How can we expect Him to dutifully attend worship that fits into well-defined boxes? Perhaps our subliminal awareness that all of this is detrimental to true worship is the reason why we often ask for God’s presence in our assemblies as if He must be invited because otherwise He would not bother to attend.
Some revision may occur because we pay attention to the Greek word the author uses. That word is episynagoge, obviously connected to the Greek synagoge, the word for “assembly.” But this rare variation emphasizes the eschatological element of our assembly. In other words, it looks forward to the final gathering when the government of YHWH and the Lordship of Yeshua are fulfilled in all the earth. What does this tell us about our gathering together? It suggests that a primary motivation for worshipping is the expression of hope triggered by the inevitable, expected sovereignty of YHWH. We worship in anticipation! And anticipation can never be monotonous. At any moment God may surprise us all with His work of restoration or His return. The great surprise is in the wings. Who can be fixed in routine in such circumstances?
Many of us who leave the church on Sunday will go home to watch some sporting event where at any moment a single play will change everything. But we do not expect such things at church. Why not? The game played in worship affects the whole universe. How much more should we anticipate the cosmic game-changer? How much more must worship be on the edge of our seats waiting for the sudden shout of joy?
Topical Index: gathering together, episynagoge, church, Hebrews 10:25
I agree with much of what you write, but with this understanding: the “modern” ekklesia neither lamad’s nor shepherds. It wants blessing but does not have time for Isaiah 65, and as such, abandons members who would like to attend, but for some reasons just can’t.
Speaking for myself, I have to use a wheelchair right now. To attend, I have to call around to see which churches have access, then a wheelchair accessible rest room, then we get to doctrinal beliefs! To get ready to go to church takes a long time, and is a burden on my wife. Often, depending on how things are going, video is the best tool of attendance for us – when it’s available.
In fulfillment of Isaiah 65, once in a while it would be nice if people would just set up a time and come fellowship with us. Or offer to take my wife grocery shopping so she gets a break and can be with the girls.
But that doesn’t happen.
Instead we hear (as did my parents when they got older and my wife’s grandmother when she got older), “We understand that you can’t get here, and we’ll just look forward to seeing you when you can.”
So on that happy note, I joined iBethel.TV and the presence of the Holy Spirit just fills whatever room we watch it in. And when possible we get to our local assembly. And yes our local assembly gets our tithe. And sometimes people have time to go for a cup of coffee, but not too often.
Tell me where you are and I will see if other Today’s Word readers are ready to step up.
Petersburg, VA 30 minutes south of Richmond. Thanks!
We would love to have coffee with you the next time we are on our way to Williamsburg to visit my sister. We are in the DC are – probably about 2 1/2 hours away.
Thank you! Let us know when you’re coming this way!
Peter Alexander
Peter,
This breaks my heart. Wish I lived near you! I’d be honored to take you to church, do errands, etc.
My mom is also very sick & unable to attend a local congregation regularly.
She stays in touch with church friends by praying for them (she emails & calls to find out people’s prayer needs), and she writes encouraging notes & sends birthday, anniversary, get well & sympathy cards from the dollar store. She also stays in touch with people by regularly calling them & is able to keep bonds with people even though she is very sick & in lots of pain usually. When she is able to go to church, people are excited to see her & greet her with great warmth. People offer to take her to church or to do errands for her, I think, because she serves & blesses others. She works at staying in touch with people, prays for them & engages in relationships. It is because of her investment in people that people invest in her.
I’ve found that God often taps on my heart to serve those in my natural path with whom I have some sort of connection. When we feel personally connected to someone, we are more prone to reach out and help. So my suggestion is to ask God how you & your wife may serve & bless others in your Church community. You may have little energy, capability, resources, time or money to do so, but when we serve & bless others, we tend to receive tenfold blessings from God. What we have little of, God blesses when we give it away for others. Be prayerful how you can become connected to people in your church community–what you can do for them–and I think you will be blessed how the church community will reach out to you in new ways. I’m not talking about a selfish “serve to receive blessings” mentality but a shift in attitude, such as JFK’s famous speech: “Ask not what my country can do for me but what can I do for my country.” We just need to apply that to ourselves & our church community.
I hope & pray Christ’s body will love & serve you in your needs. Sometimes we forget that we are Christ’s hands & feet on earth. We get wrapped up in our own lives & easily forget to offer help for those who can’t get around or do things on their own. I’ll be praying for you & your wife–for God to send people your way to serve & love you, and for you & your wife to shower God’s love onto others.
God bless,
Gaynor
Thank you, Gaynor. I am able to drive to church. I’m simply pointing out the prep time involved. Evening services are much easier for us. We are active in showering our love on others. My wife does the video editing and posts it weekly on YouTube. We help train the video team. God has used my business skills to help the church save literally tens of thousands of dollars.
I run my own business and I’m a professional writer. I earn my living completely as a writer. My background is Fortune 500, and my skills are readily available to those who need help at a variety levels. So we are far from sitting here complaining.
The point I was trying to make, is that it requires a schedule change to have koinonia. We live in an age where people can text, email or call from nearly anywhere to just say, “Howdy, Pard!” and let people know they’re not forgotten without having to perform for agape.
Thank you again for your sincere note. I do appreciate it.
Peter Alexander
Peter,
I meant to reply to your post directly, so scan down til you see my response
Blessings,
Gaynor
Go God!!
My wife and I had the privilege of living in Milwaukee, WI for two years. As born and bred “Southerners” it was quite a change, but a very pleasant one. We do love Wisconsin!
There is a fanatical “religion” in all of Wisconsin. As we pulled off the road to get a snack or some gas at a local station, -I started to notice something. I picked up a pack of peanut butter crackers and they were wrapped in green and gold. The baby clothes and strollers in Kmart were green and gold.
One evening, while traveling far, far away in the “boonies” we came up to a “T” in the road and were wanting to turn left, but we had to wait for traffic to clear first. Here we are, located miles from “anywhere” and where is all this traffic coming from? And why do these people have “green and gold” banners, flags and even painted cars and trucks? Then it “dawned” on me..
These, dear friends are Green Bay Packer fans. Fans, (in this case) is short for “fanatics!” These people live, eat, breath- etc.. for football. They will paint their face, stand up and holler “Go God!” er… no.. (sorry)- Go Packers!!- This, dear ones IS true “worship!!” Now, if only..
The “thing” missing in our worship today is “passion.” Passion without truth is fun, but not “filling.” Rather like cotton candy, -it is fun to eat,- but no “nutrition.” But truth without passion? Like eating healthy (but stale) bread. Yes, our Bible says, “let all things be done decently and in order,”- so we have our “liturgy” or “order of service,”- but where is the passion for Christ?
As I recall, (and I may be wrong!) we are to love the Green Bay Packers with ALL our hearts-soul-mind and strength.. “Go Packers!!” Er..uh.. What? We are to love the LORD our God? How?
With a pure heart. Singularly focused. No idols. (“American,” or otherwise..) Once upon a time, we used to have “celebrities,”- now we have “idols.” What then, is an idol?
ANYTHING (GBP included) that anyone loves, serves or worships more than God IS an idol. What may this include? Sports? Sex? Pleasure? Position? Possessions?- Yes, the list is very long..
We are to worship our God with a pure heart. Singular and fixed focus. Who (or what) is #1?? Go God!!! Where’s our passion, people??
Thanks Carl. Right to the point. Football in America is a religion. Living biblically is not.
A clear observation appropriately applied.
Fun times in football worship but with only pseudo life. Idolatry illustrated.
In America, professional sports and religion are both vicarious forms of entertainment. There is no physical action required on the part of the spectator – in either the bleachers or the pews . Only those who are on the field actually bleed, sweat and toil; and only those who are on the field or court get rewarded with pay, accolades and perhaps rewarded with fame. The spectator only gets a fleeting emotional release based solely on identification with those whom he or she will likely never meet in person or enter into a personal relationship. In the beginning being a spectator requires nothing more of us than a mild interest and insipid viewing, but with our increasing consumption it demands us to choose a team (denomination) with which we will identify, cheer and defend (often this team -church- is the long established preference of the parent, spouse or peer group). This small emotional investment causes us to somehow believe that we are the team-or at least a necessary ingredient of the team whose presence is necessary in an almost magical or mystical way (our cheers and sometimes personal superstitious rituals can somehow cause the players on the field to perform near super-human feats, just as in some church circles the congregants praise and prayer “ushers” in the supernatural presence of God to perform miracles, healings and demonstrations of power.) To become a true fan (from the Latin fanaticus, meaning “insanely, but divinely inspired”) one must undergo certain rituals and set aside time, money and passion to that end, as well as swear allegiance to that team alone and thus every other team (or religion) becomes an enemy or a foe to be defeated. When he/she identifies with the players so that they begin to wear their jerseys, buy the products they endorse, emulate their behavior then our personal identity and our future is altered – and not for the good. All this takes place over time from the safety of the stadium stands ( or pews) or from the comfort of our living rooms on the big screen TV. The crowning achievement of any sports team is winning the championship; the Super Bowl or World Series where the players are ushered into glory, fame and a bigger or longer contract and the fan is left with nothing, but fond memories and bragging rights till the next season begins. There are so many parallels, types and lessons in this analogy for us to ponder. One question would be: are WE on the field or in the stands? And if we are truly on the field then the question might be: are we playing for the money, (prosperity gospel) the rewards (heaven), the adulation of the fans or for the sake of the joy of playing the game itself-just like when we were little children?
Many truths here and certainly many parallels to living (or living vicariously.)
I’ve been to games where saying the wrong thing could bring immediate physical attacks.
Quite the scary collective state.
Compassion wasted? Misdirected? Missing the mark? Yes, yes and yes.
Yet so much of that wasted, misdirected and missing the mark characterizes me and my wrong decisions. I’ll probably need many more years to correct them all! I’m certainly glad my Lord is long-suffering. I’ve given Him many, many opportunities to sigh deeply.
I just can’t lay it all aside hoping for heaven to quickly arrive anymore, though. Rapture parties just don’t cut it.
I sense an ever growing urge to prove myself worthy. My SBC friends just shuddered and recoiled at that, I’m sure, thinking I’m trying to earn my salvation or something heretical. I can’t just walk all over His grace anymore. I HAVE to let go of all that doesn’t reflect Him and grasp all that does. I am compelled to.
In football there is a clear end goal. It’s right down there.
In life, I don’t know my last day. I have to think there is one more, every day. And I have to keep seeking to bring ‘as in heaven’ to ‘here on earth.’
Ok, my soliloquy is done.
OH MY GOSH, SKIP–Heschel’s description of the contemporary Jewish assembly defines PERFECTLY our almost graveside setting EACH SUNDAY IN THE CHURCH where we RAISED OUR KIDS. I could tell horror stories, as most of us probably can, but I’ll stop myself. How we can ever make things right with our kids in our grief for having forced them into that mess, I don’t know. We’ve got many very angry, hateful, vengeful adult children now. Please PRAY FOR THOSE and for our one son who loves the LORD with his whole heart and desires to be in His presence 24/7 and desires to fellowship with others who want to live the same way… so he goes TO CHURCH. Oh, PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM and his young family.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for speaking so very boldly about this false RELIGION in the “church” organization of (at least) America today. I’m guessing that fellowshipping “underground” with servants of YHVH in China or other “dark” countries is TRUE “coming together” in Him.
You mentioned “…the government of YHWH and the Lordship of Yeshua”
Oh, Brothers and Sisters, let us keep that hope in front of us every hour of every day. Wow… it’s too glorious, too fabulous, too perfect to imagine… but we can hope!
This morning I got up to get ready to go to “church.” I have been attending a Shabbat meeting on Saturday and my regular church on Sunday.
On Sunday after the service I come home and grieve the rest of the day.
This morning I gave up Sunday service. Then I read your Word for today and I know the message was for me, approval of leaving the dead bury the dead.
I have been sounding the alarm for many years and no one seems to hear, have tolerated me but have written me off.
Then I read the Update: Pillars of Heaven. AH Skip, manna from heaven to me personally.
Thank you for these words. Rosanne and I transitioned through this grief some time ago but there is always residual pain when we think about those who chose to stay.
REALITY!
Those of us on this site know how “real” God is.
Most people don’t. They see God as a thought or notion.
He’s certainly the subject of endless empty religions, which
seems to satisfy the masses.
The irony could not be sadder. For nothing or no one is more real
than God Himself! He is reality Personified! Real life! With all its
joys and surprises!
We know the gate to this real life is Jesus Himself. The only way.
In His own words: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way
which leads to life, and there are a few who find it.” Mat 7:14
No surprise that any insitutional church or synagogue would be
a “gate detector”. They promote religion. Not “real life”.
God reserves that distinction exclusively for His children.
Whosoever believes. One on one, God the Father races out to
greet and embrace His prodigal kids. One at a time. Remember?
They are the ones who know “real life”. The ones who know God
and His love and His peace and His joy.
And they stick out in their own humble way . . . like reality itself.
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love
for one another.” Jn 13:35
And how dynamic it is to find other lovers like ourselves!
Great TW, Skip! I was just expressing my total frustration regarding this today. I know there are really many who feel the same. Many have walked away and unfortunately have given up any hope of gathering together anymore. This is sad. Most of those I have come to know who understand worshiping in spirit & in truth with no time constraints are not located in the city where I live. Most are regional or individuals spread out over the region here and there. And having a dance background and loving to worship in dance is an even bigger challenge! I do get to worship Monday through Friday tho with my little students, most of whom have not experienced the restrictions of worshiping in all that man-made structure. If the Holy Spirit is supposed to be leading us anyway should we be worrying about time:)