I just realized: when the Book says to dependers on the cross “don’t give up gathering together,” it does NOT mean ‘keep doing church,’ at least in the popular sense of having a predictable program with certain practiced performers standing (way)up in front of the spectating majority. It does not even necessarily mean gathering in a regular place at a regular time, though that would be the norm. What it DOES mean, simply and yet significantly, is to regularly get together for the purpose of relating to each other as believers in Lord Jesus. This of course requires some intentionality by us as individuals, though that may amount to just seizing opportunities as they arise.
So, if you hate ‘church,’ don’t be too hard on yourself. And don’t force what you’ve always thought of as ‘church’ into the Book’s statement above. It is not all about, but certainly profoundly about RELATIONSHIP, with Jesus and your brothers and sisters. Since, unlike in the Old Arrangement, the temple of the God (where he is in a special sense) is now no longer a building, but people (first one, then several or more), this gathering can take place in any building, or not, like under a tree. And since under the New Arrangement based on Jesus’ death, every believer is a priest with access, rather than there being a special class, gatherings should be widely participatory. Everyone has that privilege and responsibility, and all present benefit from interacting with all the others. There is incredible freedom for creativity in the event.
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