The Vision: Gathering into the Life-giving Presence of God
What is the church? Why should we gather? How should we gather? What is the gathering about?
In this article we will consider these questions and more. We will answer them based on the vision statement that we believe is a faithful and Biblical guide for our young church body. Follow along as we break down the vision statement into three distinct descriptions of the church: gathering, life-giving, and presence of God.
Gathering
In the age of social media and in the wake of the Pandemic, many have recognized the unique significance of “in person” gatherings. In Biblical terms we might say that nothing can replace “incarnational” events. When Jesus revealed Himself to the world, he came in flesh (John 1:14). In order to make Himself most fully known, Jesus gathered in person with His disciples. The same remains true for the church today.
The author of Hebrews exhorted first-century believers that they should not [neglect] to meet together, as is the habit of some... (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV). The church is first and foremost called to gather. This is the example that we see all the way through the book of Acts. Ultimately, it is God who gathers His flock into His presence.
Consider Martin Luther’s meaning to the third article of the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; even as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith...
Life-giving
What happens as the church gathers? To put this another way: what do we gather into?
We believe based on the testimony of Scripture that Christ took on flesh and came to earth to lay down His life for the church (John 10:10-11, Ephesians 5:25). Scripture speaks of the church as the body of Christ in which He is the head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22).
As the body of Christ, not only does Christ give His life to the church, but He also gives His life through the church. Those who are part of Christ’s body are the ones that Jesus calls to die to self and live for Him (Matthew 16:24ff). Through the body of believers, called the church, Jesus gives His life to the world.
Presence of God
Raising children is a sacrificial, life-giving, and incarnational. What do I mean? To be a parent means sacrificing individual priorities and ambitions in order to share our lives with our children. To be a parent means to literally bring new life into the world. Finally, to be a parent means to be physically present.
Our society and laws actually forbid parents to be physically absent from the lives of their children. It’s called child-neglect. Studies show that the single most influential presence in children’s lives is that of the parents. Also, the emotional stability of a child is directly tied to the regular physical presence of his/her parents.
Our Heavenly Father longs to be present with His children. Where and how does He do this? Read through the Bible. You will find that the God’s promise of presence is uniquely found in the Word, the sacraments (baptism and communion), and the context of the church gathering.
Consider first of all Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
As read in its context, this passage refers is speaking to those that gather as a body of believers—the local church. Jesus promises to uniquely place His presence in the place where believers gather in His name as the church. Just as a father is present in the home and life of his children, Christ is present as the family of God gathers. This is why Emmanuel Lutheran seeks to gather in a way that reflects the beauty of God’s transcendence while also recognizing His imminence.
But how do we recognize/know God’s presence in the gathering of believers?
First of all, Christ promises His presence in the Word. He is Himself the Word become flesh—the Word of Life (John 1:14; 1 John 1:1-3). Also, it is the Word of God that is powerful to create faith in our hearts (Romans 1:16; 10:17) just as the world itself was create as God spoke (John 1:1-5; Psalm 33:6).
Second, the Word of God is connected to physical elements in baptism and communion. In baptism Paul tells us that we are buried with Christ in His death and raised with Him to new life (Romans 6:1-3). In communion Christ says “this is my body” and “this is my blood” (Luke 22:19–20; Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25). In regards to how exactly Christ is present, we must not stray into speculation. What we can say is that both in baptism and communion the Bible promises Christ’s presence and the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Matthew 26:26–28).
Clement of Alexandria reflects on the significance of God’s presence in communion:
’Eat my flesh,’ [Jesus] says, ‘and drink my blood.’ The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutrients, he delivers over his flesh and pours out his blood, and nothing is lacking for the growth of his children. (The Instructor of Children 1:6:43:3 [A.D. 191])
Conclusion
The church gathering is where God graciously meets and gives life to His children. It is a sort of thin space where heaven meets earth. It is where the Word of God is preached and the sacraments rightly administered. Ultimately, it is the place where God nourishes and feeds His children with life in His Son so that all the world may know the same!
Martin Luther, Luther’s Small Catechism: Developed and Explained, General Synod Edition. (Philadelphia: The United Lutheran Publication House, 1893), 9.