“Doing Church Differently” is the motto of this Christian Gathering that meets on Sunday mornings. The goal is to honor and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. The hope for each person is to learn and to follow scriptures from the Hebrew and Christian testaments in living out our lives: “Loving and Serving Others.” It’s about becoming like Jesus Christ. We find inspiration with The Gathering by encouraging each other, and by sharing how-to ideas about serving those with whom we are connected.
We sound like a church but without some of the typical church challenges and trappings. We don’t own a building or property. We rent space in the Tippecanoe County Historical Association History Center in downtown Lafayette, Indiana. We have no written theology other than scriptures. We do not pass an offering plate. We have a basket where people can leave an offering and we utilize electronic giving systems for financial contributions to our missions. We pray for one another and we keep track of those who need our prayers. All who come belong; everyone can participate.
Our goal is to love and serve others. This can be together or separately wherever we find people in need. “As We Go” is our motto for loving, serving and creating a “Safe Space” for those who join The Gathering. Kindness is our byline for interactions. We encourage everyone to come “Just As You Are.” We have lots of helpers in the service, like scripture readers and people who pray for one another. Our decisions are made in consultation with all the Gatherers. Our pastor, Dr. Will Miller, emails all attendees every Saturday where he communicates what is happening in different areas. If people feel led to contribute we have several main missions.
Sundays: What to Expect
10:30 – Join us for coffee and cookies
11:00 – Gather for service, which usually includes:
- Announcements — Bill Castor
- Community prayer and testimonials — Dr. Sally Miller
- Scripture and reflection — Dr. Will Miller
- Scripture reading — Thea Strand
- Brief meditation — Karen Neubauer
- Benediction — Dr. Will Miller
Come for the Music…Stay for the Message
Our Praise Band is a huge inspiration to all who come. In one service we may sing, “Yellow Submarine” and “Hosanna To The King.”
With a combined total of over 290 years of musical experience, there is virtually no tune they haven’t heard or played. They are: Chad Miller, Hans and Brittany Rees, Julie Boles, Larry Smeyak, David Strand, Garry Smith, David and Joe Grimes and Chris Lee. You may have seen them with popular bands or even know them personally.
Finally, The Gathering welcomes occasional special music and moments from talented songwriters and friends from the local community!
The Praise Band at The Gathering with Dr. Will Miller … Come for the music … Stay for the message!
Other Helping Hands
Chris and Jennifer Lee handle the technology, sound, and put our service on YouTube every Sunday. Thea Strand studies weekly scriptures and selects the best version to share. She and her husband David are organizational helpers who handle Communion and music. We are blessed with several other dedicated assistants:
CFO: Kristy Wozniak
Hospitality Crew: Linda Cobb, Susan Ransom and Pam Weaver
Housekeeping and Maintenance: Steve Ruppert
Our Pastor
Our services are led by Dr. Will Miller, graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York and ordained by the American Baptist Denomination. Prior to this, he completed his doctorate at the University of Massachusetts and continued his studies at Columbia University’s School of Social Work. His learning has centered on mental health and human behavior and strategies for helping others. A recognized authority on popular culture, Dr. Will is guided by the counsel when studying the stories of antiquity in the Bible by always asking: “What did it mean then and what does it mean now?” This approach brings the ancient stories to life for people in our present time.
Outside of his pastoral duties, Dr. Will Miller is a member of the graduate faculty at Purdue University and a retired stand-up comedian. He is recognized as an expert in the areas of stress and coping, interpersonal relationships, and forming community. He is passionate about creating safe spaces for people to form relationships and support one another. In an era in which Christianity has become politicized, Dr. Will wants to return to the basics and focus on doing church differently.
