We do church wrong. When we meet together for church there is only the pastors’ voice. There is little or no opportunity to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. If one is fortunate and aggressively pursues it they can find those missing aspects of community in ‘small group’ meetings. We are fortunate to be a part of one of these.
It is a mystery of the Spirit how a diverse group of people can come together and mesh. Our group is a mix of backgrounds and personalities; Dr., nurse, truck-driver, medical personnel, teachers and barista to name a few. Today we discussed prayer. It was encouraging to see the conversation ebb and flow from energetic glass half-full views to struggling, from faith-filled to frustrated flounderings. As the group discussed approaching God we operated in concert and less as selfish individuals.
When the writer of Hebrews instructs the believers not to “neglect assembling together” he is talking about much more than Sunday morning church. The symphonic rising up of hearts and voices in a small group study allows for encouragement in the context of real joys and serious struggles. All are encouraged in the process.
It is in the speaking to one another that we, symbolically, sing psalms and hymns in chorus. It is that symphony that encourages the saints. That is why we are to keep meeting together as the Day draws nearer. In the world cauchophony; saints assembling together a soul stirring chorus.
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