The Life of the Gathered Church: Participation With Order
1 Corinthians 14:26–40
What happens when the church gathers? Is it simply a time to sit, listen, and receive from one speaker, or did Christ intend for His people to participate in building one another up?
In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul writes, “Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.” Notice those words: each of you has something.
The early church gathering included participation, spiritual gifts, encouragement, and instruction. But participation was never meant to create confusion or draw attention to individuals. Paul makes it clear that everything must be done for the building up of the body of Christ.
Join Pastor Kevin and Pastor Sandy as we explore what it means to be a participating church—a gathering where believers are encouraged to contribute, spiritual gifts are exercised responsibly, everything is weighed against Scripture, and love and order guide the fellowship.
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves: Have we become so accustomed to sitting in church that we have forgotten we are also called to be part of the body?
The goal is not simply to gather people, but to build up the church as every member learns to serve, encourage, and strengthen one another in Christ.
