Dr Paul Allen

23 additional reasons, in no particular order, why gathering for corporate worship as a New Testament local church is loving. 1. Gathered worship witnesses to the living God (John 4:24). In our day, the idea of being a “witness” conjures up the picture of an individual Christian evangelizing an unregenerate friend over coffee. That certainly is good and true. But God’s people also are a powerful witness when we gather for worship. Wherever an NT church gathers, whether rural towns or cities, that church declares one of the most foundational and essential truths in the universe; the existence and majesty of the living God. Though they might disagree with your beliefs, your unregenerate neighbour understands that you leave on Sundays to go worship this Being; this eternal and uncreated Creator who is our God. This is loving because he is the purpose and end for all humanity. 2. Gathered worship declares that the fullness of human existence is not merely physical and material (cf. Matt 4:...

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19–22) The writer to the Hebrews commands us to draw near to God. This letter exhorts us to persevere, and this profound call to draw near to God is right at the heart. In the midst of difficulty and temptation, we’re told to come closer. To move in. To draw near. This command to draw near might be summarized as a summons to live in a rich God-accomplished relationship with God. Rich — And Accomplished by God It’s a rich relationship, not a mechanical one. It requires a “true heart in full assurance of faith.” This is a full and rich and satisfying relationship — one tha...

Katie was 33, single, and deeply in love with Jesus. I remember asking her, "Where do you go to church?" She smiled and said, "Well, I have three main churches. I go to Rez Church for weekend services because I love the music. I am in a small group at Community Church over on the North side of town — the people are so nice. And I enjoy the singles ministry at Stone Brook Church." Then, as an afterthought Katie said, "Oh, and I love the concerts over at Sunrise Church!" I paused as I pondered her answer and then inquired, "But where do you go to church? Where do you invest yourself, serve, give, and do community as a member of God's family?" Katie looked at me with kindness and some confusion in her eyes and said, "I'm not sure what you mean." We went on to have a rich and meaningful conversation about the value of being connected to a local body of Christians. We discussed the importance of connecting deeply and consistentl...