HOW
IMPORTANT IS THE CHURCH’S WEEKLY WORSHIP GATHERING?
We
face challenges related to corporate worship now with the spreading of COVID-19.
Churches are discovering creative ways to worship together and implementing
ideas which many likely never thought they would. With these ideas and
challenges, however, come criticisms and even examples which perpetuate the
arguments of those who do not even profess the name of Christ. For example, I have personally heard and
seen people use the current online gatherings to argue them as proof that
churches are either unnecessary or at least do not need to meet. One might even
certainly understand their argument or see their perspective. The question
arises then, “How important is the church’s weekly worship gathering?” Is such
a gathering even necessary? I will discuss and answer that question here. The
aim of my argument is to point to my belief that worship is the single-most
important aspect of Christian life and local church corporate worship the
single-most important act the church employs even above small group gatherings,
evangelism, and missions. Until believers realize the vitality of Christian
worship, nearly everything else will be misunderstood, out of focus, and seen
from an incorrect perspective.
Biblical
and Historical Foundations for Gathering
The
practice of weekly Sunday Christian worship gatherings are supported by both
biblical and historical foundations. While no specific names or dates are
associated with the church’s shift to gathering corporately on Sunday,
apparently, the practice began in the first century with the early church and
the Apostles. Such is referenced in Acts 20:7, which mentions the Apostles gathering
on the first day of the week, i.e. Sunday, to break bread. Acts 2:42-47,
furthermore, references the fellowship of believers devoting themselves to
teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.[1] The author of Hebrews also
offers the instruction not to forsake meeting together (Heb 10:24-25) and links
gathering to the full assurance of faith and forsaking the practice to sin (Heb
10:26). It is evident then that weekly corporate gatherings have been vital
since the early church.
Sunday was
chosen as the Lord’s Day for Christians likely because Jesus rose on the first
day of the week. Since Christianity hinges on the resurrection of Christ, it is
appropriate for all church practices to stem from the event.
The roots of
Christian worship, nonetheless, did not begin in the first century but subsist
centuries before Christ dating back even to before Israel. The first time the
word, worship, is used in the bible is when Abraham was going to offer Isaac as
a sacrifice to the Lord (Gen 22:5). The Psalms, moreover, are considered the
hymnal of Israel. Tabernacle and Temple worship is an apparent example of
Judeo-Christian roots. Jesus is seen teaching in the Temple in the New
Testament (Luke 2:41-52). Further, synagogues might be considered local
congregations within Judaism. In biblical times, before any group of Jews could
establish a new congregation and build or use a synagogue, they had to have at
least ten active male members at least 13 years old to meet for services three
times daily.[2]
Worship then was crucial to Jewish life.
One would be
correct to ponder why the importance of worship would change under grace. The
obvious explanation is it has not changed; if anything, church era believers
have more reason to gather corporately and worship God. A primary difference in
approach to worship under the law and worship under grace is that worship under
grace centers around daily lifestyle worship or personal worship (Rom 12:1-2),
whereas worship under the law heavily involved rituals even for imparting
grace. Rituals, for Christians now, are symbolic rather than salvific.
The biblical
and historical foundations of Christian worship should be understood so that
its importance may be realized. To claim that corporate gatherings are not
necessary would be a mistake, for although they do not save, they have been
vital to the church for centuries and must continue to be so since the early
church is a model for proper Christian practice.
Is
It Necessary?
Many
(even Christians) argue against corporate gatherings on the primary basis that
they are not necessary, i.e. Christians can love God and honor him without
meeting with other believers for worship on the Lord’s Day. To that, it must be
considered that the New Testament church and the church throughout the
centuries have not agreed. Apparently, the Bible instructs Christians to gather
so it should be obeyed. Worship gatherings certainly are not necessary for
salvation; yet, the practice seems to be the natural result of a people changed
and compelled by the love and mercy of Christ. Personally, while I may
empathize with people who have been hurt by the church and perhaps hold disdain
in their hearts for Christians as a result, I must question someone’s faith if
they live in perpetual rebellion by hating the church. No one can love Jesus
but hate his bride. To answer whether worship gatherings are necessary,
therefore, one should understand both not only that they do not save but also
that they are the result of one who is born again. If a result automatically
happens because of an action, the result should be considered a necessity, i.e.
corporate worship gatherings are the necessary result of people who are
redeemed. Is corporate worship necessary then? My answer would be that gathering
corporately for worship is abundantly necessary to a redeemed Christian life.
With
Current Technology, Should Corporate Worship Be Face-to-Face?
During
the Coronavirus pandemic and even under the assumption that Christian worship
is necessary, many have asked if face-to-face gatherings are the only option or
if other methods may be employed, e.g. online streaming, pre-recorded services,
drive-in services, etc. Modern technology did not exist in the early church;
yet, what Scripture contains is sufficient for life and for godliness and all
questions in life. A pandemic is surely an exception to the rule. Nevertheless,
the question must be answered of whether it is acceptable or unacceptable to
congregate digitally rather than in person. Psychological factors are key
components to answering such a question.
My argument is
that face-to-face gatherings are necessary and to neglect such is sin. Although
the early church had no other option but to gather face-to-face, there exists
and abundance of benefits to doing so. Additionally, Scripture speaks of the
church as a body, i.e. God’s people should live and function as one body,
which, in my opinion, is impossible to do in solely digital relationships. The
first benefit of face-to-face gatherings is inherent accountability. Personal
gatherings offer believers the opportunity to be vulnerable, i.e. it is more
challenging to be superficial in personal relationships. Mannerisms, vocal
inflection, and attitude all present glimpses into one’s heart. Therefore,
faking sincerity and godliness is far more difficult in face-to-face gatherings
so that the church may be the church by encouraging, exhorting, and admonishing
one another.
Secondly,
face-to-face gatherings better possess a natural ability to meet physical
needs. Not only are people more willing to help someone in need if they have a
personal relationship with the individual, people are more transparent about
their needs when in fellowship with them. Often, digital personalities portray
a false perception, e.g. one who is constantly happy and has no difficulties;
in personal friendships, however, people can see beyond the perception and get
to the heart of the matter so that they may offer help. Whether someone
struggles with finances, job security, family issues, or even sin, godly people
can gather around an individual in prayer in a tangible manner with
face-to-face worship gatherings. God does not intend for the church to employ
solely online relationships but to be the body of Christ by gathering together.
Finally, yet
another benefit of face-to-face gatherings is a matter of preference: in
general, face-to-face relationships are still preferred over digital relationships
in daily life. “Social support is a strong predictor of mental health.”[3] Modern psychology is
(rightfully) skeptical of the value of digital relationships as opposed to
face-to-face relationships. While virtual conversations, relationships, and
even gatherings surely have their place in society, they do not suffice for
what real-world relationships may offer. Besides a small number of people per
capita, real human relationship, contact, and conversation is preferred. I
believe God designed it this way. Digital communication did not catch God by
surprise; his intention was for his redeemed people to develop and cultivate
relationships in a personal manner.
The church
exists as one unified body. Visibly living as such, therefore, is crucial to
the health and effectiveness of Christ’s bride. While digital resources may be
used in magnificent ways for God’s glory, virtual relationships and
(especially) worship gatherings can never replace face-to-face gatherings. As a
matter of opinion, I should state that choosing to gather digitally (which is
no gathering at all) when in person is available is dishonoring to God and to
the people of God. Even with current technology then, corporate Christian
worship gatherings should be face-to-face when possible, i.e. the overwhelming
majority of the time.
For
Whom Do Christians Gather?
In
considering weekly Christian worship, believers should ask a singular question
to aid in their determinations: for whom do Christians gather? The apparent
overarching answer is God. Certainly, worship exists for the glory of God, as
does everything. What believers must understand, however, is that Christian
worship is also a tool God uses to form his people. The Reformers claimed an
incredible Latin phrase that says, “Lex orandi, lex credendi,” or
(loosely translated), “How we worship is how we become.” Contrary to popular
opinion, during corporate worship, God works for his people more than his
people work for him.[4] Christians are swift to
claim God as the object of worship; yet, he is also the subject, i.e. God is
not only the one receiving worship but also the one working in the act. The
Holy Spirit manifests himself in the lives of believers as they worship God.
Thus, stemming from the overarching purpose of God’s glory, Christian corporate
worship should be understood to possess a formative purpose. In this case then,
face-to-face corporate worship gatherings are of utmost importance. Worship,
glorifying God (personal and corporate), is the single most important aspect of
Christian life; corporate worship, likewise, is the single most important act
the church employs each week. This has been true since the early church and
will continue to be true. While the church is currently experiencing a vastly
different approach to Christian worship, believers should never be content with
an extended version of the current trend. As soon as Christians can gather
together again, face-to-face meetings should once again be the normal act and
anything else rightfully criticized.
[1] The breaking of bread here is likely a direct
reference to the practice of Communion each time believers met.
[2] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
accessed April 9, 2020, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.
[3] Jacinta Francis, “Virtual vs. Real-World
Relationships,” Psychology Today, accessed April 9, 2020,
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-neighborhood/201210/virtual-vs-real-world-relationships.
[4] Such an argument could certainly be made of
everything in the Christian life.
