God designed the Church to function like a Body which requires interdependence. As members of one another (Rom. 12:5), we demonstrate concern for each other so that “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor. 12:26). That takes interaction, fellowship that goes below the surface.
God’s Design Requires Meeting Together
God’s design for the Church obviously provides the reason behind the command for “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
Notice in that verse that the objective of meeting together is to provide a venue for “encouraging one another” which, if it was important back then, how much more as we “see the Day approaching” even closer.
Certainly the intent of that verse is for physically meeting in the same place with one another. Back then, however, they didn’t have phones and the Internet so meeting together by calling, texting, video chatting, and other technological platforms wasn’t possible. The only way they could meet together was in the same physical location.
God’s Design Still Works Today for a Changing Church
Keep in mind that the true objective of meeting together, according to Hebrews 10:25, is to provide opportunity to encourage one another. So,
what we do when we meet is as important, if not more important, than the fact that we meet together.
Traditional worship services, whether live or streaming video, often provide one-way communication with minimal opportunity for connecting. So, if it’s not happening much in one setting, are we providing other venues? Are we truly living out God’s design for the Church in the way we function?
Following God’s design leads to true community wherein we encourage and build each other up, which requires connecting and communicating with one another. We have so many means of connecting and communicating today that we’re without excuse for not meeting in some way.
- Think through a variety of ways we can connect and communicate. If we rely on one means of connecting and communicating with people, what about those who aren’t connecting that way? Everyone in the Body matters. No one should fall through the cracks.
- Think about all the different members of your church body. Has everyone been contacted at least once in the past month? If not, how will you learn their needs? How will they know you care?
Body Life doesn’t require a building or programs. It happens when we reach out and care for one another, wherever we may be. It happens by making simple connections and communication with one another in order to encourage each other. Though communication may be at it’s best when we’re physically present, it doesn’t have to become more shallow when done through technological means. We can still have the same types of discussions or conversations. We can still connect, experiencing fellowship with one another through a wide variety of means.