The gathering of the saints isn’t simply for singing and listening to the Word. We gather with family; a healthy family shows love and encourages one another.

Engaging meaningfully with fellow believers is a vital way to be fully present in church worship, fostering a sense of community, unity, and mutual support within the Body. Hebrews 10:24-25 teaches, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.” According to Hebrews, written almost two thousand years ago, we should be gathering even more as the Day of Judgment approaches. We may not know when that day is, but it’s closer now than it was then.

Meaningful engagement involves genuine interactions, intentional conversations, and acts of love and kindness. It requires openness, vulnerability, and a willingness to share life’s joys and struggles with one another, not simply small talk. This creates a supportive and nurturing environment, fostering unity and solidarity. In addition, knowing others care promotes a culture of acceptance and belonging, celebrating the unity and diversity of the Body of Christ.

This engagement extends beyond the church walls to acts of service and outreach to the local community, united in purpose and mission to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.

As a former missionary, I’ve traveled to several different countries. While in India, where believers are persecuted for their faith, people traveled all day to gather with other Christians to sing praises to God and hear the truth of Christ spoken. Never again will I take for granted the opportunity to serve and get together with the Body of Christ, whether in a church building, a house, or a park.

Even recently, through COVID lockdowns and churches closing for weeks or months, Christians should be even more thankful and intentional about taking advantage of the sacred and powerful opportunity to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Peace.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Thomas Barwick