Gathering together in Church without boundaries

Whether we realize it or not, Church is healing us. More than a building or a body of persons, the idea of true Church is founded in God’s goodness and transforming love, and it is all-inclusive, embracing everyone everywhere.

Consider how the world’s people have a vast number of individual faces. Church can also have many “faces” and manifestations. A church certainly can be a group of committed individuals with a common love of God who enjoy meeting in person to share their spiritual growth, explore divine inspiration, and support one another. Jesus described such a church in this way: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). 

While church buildings and members organized so as to work efficiently together in service to God and mankind certainly continue to be exceedingly relevant, are there other approaches to gathering together in Christ’s name? Lately, people have been gathering in online church events, readily feeling empowered and inspired by the Christ, Truth, that is shining so brightly “in the midst of them.” An online church service or testimony meeting, Sunday School class or lecture, hymn sing or live podcast, can embody all of the substance and spirit of any in-person gathering.