Gathering : Intentional Ministry as a Way of Life

Keith and I had a favorite restaurant when we lived in Mississippi called The Gathering. The restaurant was built by two Christian businessmen who believed that God had called them to have a place with good food and fellowship in beautiful surroundings. They not only hired amazing chefs and staff; they also incorporated local products with missional intent, selling these items in the lobby and further supporting the community with intention. The Gathering was a success by any standard, but of course, Keith and I mainly loved the mission of the place, and the food was delicious! This type of intentional ministry stayed with me, because there is a way to live life and have a fruitful business while remaining true to The Gospel. What does the Bible say about gathering?
When God chose Israel to be His nation, He set forth seven feasts for the people so that they would come together to a central location and remember what God had done while eating and drinking and having fellowship. These gatherings were an essential part of Israel’s knowing who God was and who they were as God’s people. The Passover was one such feast that became for us as The Church, becoming accepted into the larger umbrella of God’s people, The Eucharist, for which we gather, remember who God is and what He has done, and who we are as God’s people. We become refreshed and renewed by worshipping God, being together, and feasting on God’s goodness both literally and figuratively. The blessing of gathering is not an accident or something we invented. God created, in the beginning, and everything was good until man stood alone. Then God said that it wasn’t good for man to be alone, and created a partner for him, knowing that just as God exists as The Trinity, God in three persons, mankind also needs community. Whenever we gather as God’s people, something special happens, and we draw closer to God and one another, receiving encouragement, support, and love.
As September comes, we are planning to gather again. Many of our members will return from the north and vacations. Women’s Bible study will begin again on Wednesday, September 10th at 9:30 a.m. in the Community Center studying 1 Corinthians. Our choir will gather soon to sing and look ahead to Advent, and we are looking for new members. Our Intercessors (parish prayer team) gather every Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. to lift up our church and community in prayer and all are welcome. I encourage you to gather intentionally with other brothers and sisters in Christ for the refreshment of soul it brings and the comfort of sharing life together.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)