The Sequence of Church Growth
Christian Theologian Diana Butler Bass’ book: ‘‘Christianity Before Religion” really impacted me. It is an penetrating look at the history of the early Christian Church.
She observed that the original draw for the first crowds who gathered listening to this itinerant Jewish preacher and healer was curiosity and amazement. His was a unique and compelling voice arguing for a new understanding of God and religion. Jesus was galvanizing, persuasive and spoke with an authority that penetrated the Jewish crowds. His evident powers to heal the sick and disabled deepened their fascination. This is all originally addressed in the Gospel of Matthew in Chapters five through seven, the famous ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ The eclectic mob of Jewish listeners were riveted by both his teaching and actions. These first followers of Jesus bonded together and came to belong to this powerful new movement. And Dr. Bass reminded readers of an elemental truth: people long to belong before they are prepared to believe and believe deeply.
The hastily formed first followers of Jesus were persuaded, and so they bonded together in a new movement. They felt that they now belonged to the teaching and ministry of Jesus, and so they formed a new social and spiritual movement which quickly grew. Following this new path together created a hunger to hear and see more! And with this devoted belonging they listened to Jesus’ instructions and teaching. They came to embrace this ‘way’ of living life. And this is what the movement was called, simply ‘The Way.’ Together these first followers of Jesus embraced Jesus’ view of God, human living and his promise of eternal life. They were convicted all together of the ‘Jesus Way!’ As Dr. Bass observed: “People long to belong before they are prepared to believe deeply.”
And so it is today. Belonging is the bond that followers of ‘The Way’ must facilitate. Coming to church and staying is rooted in the belonging. Creating a safe place for relationships, service and help is what brings healing to people. The Gathering strives to be this safe space and we will always uphold the standard of open belonging and sharing the Gospel’s teaching. We welcome all seekers who long to belong and hear the Gospel. This is the path of coming to believe in ‘The Way’ Jesus Christ.