The Importance of Meeting Togther
April 21st 2010 at 4:27pm
We’ve just got back from a (shortened) visit to New Word Alive, and of course our church weekend away. I’m still clearing the decks – getting my desk sorted out, emails answered and that sort of thing. We’ve done a lot of travel – down to Wales, up to the lake district, then back to Gateshead – and I had to do a lot of work to get the weekend away talks prepared. But I think it was well and truly worth it.
There’s something about going away for a Christian conference or a church weekend away that’s refreshing and energising. At New Word Alive we were part of a very large crowd, probably in the thousands. A gathering like that reminder us that Christianity isn’t withering away, but the gospel continues to change hearts and rescue sinners from hell. At the church weekend away we obviously had a smaller crowd, and that meant we could really get to know each other, so small or large it’s a win-win.
Anyway, I’m a little worn out from all the travel and the talks, but at the same time I feel refreshed for having sat under God’s word spent quality time with his people. It’s reminded me that church, and all our other gatherings are really important for our spiritual health.
And thinking about that I’m reminded of Hebrews 10:25, which says: ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.’
So it’s not just my health that benefits when I go to the church weekend away, I’m able to encourage others. And if I don’t go, I’m not the only one to miss out – even if I wasn’t going to taking an active role in any way, my presence in itself is an encouragement. And I don’t think that’s because I’m special, that’s how it is for all of us – the more the merrier they say, and it’s true. When we meet we encourage each other just by standing along side and sharing our common belief.
So I guess I want to put in a plug for our church weekend away – if you’re a part of htg put 1-3 July in your diary for next year – and not just our weekend away, but for spending holidays wisely by investing some of them into a quality Christian conference. New Word Alive would be a good one for next year, or Keswick Convention in the summer, or maybe there’s one closer to where you live if you’re not in the UK (if you’re heading to Australia any time soon check out the Katoomba Christian Conventions). It won’t just help your spiritual health, you could encourage thousands.
I should also say that it’s not just the mere fact of getting together that builds us up, good teaching nourishes our souls like good food. So if you missed the weekend away you can hear the talks here (when we post them). Or if you want to get a taste for the teaching from Keswick or New Word Alive you’ll find video on Clayton TV.