Hey, what do you know, a more later that actually has more later.

Cue the band, The Last Day is upon us.

I have been thinking a lot about what a community looks like, especially the ekklesia, commonly known as the church. How does ekklesia express community? Moreover, what does this look like in worship, decision-making, and even corporate discipline?

Here are factors I would consider to be important:

Sacred Space
1 Peter 2:4 – 10

The author of Hebrews and Peter share a common thought in regards to sacred space. The community of believers is God’s sacred space, not a temple or an ark. In this passage, Jesus is described as a living cornerstone, and all the believers as living stones being built together into a house of God. Sacred space on Earth is not so much a patch of ground but the union of human hearts.

When believers come together, especially in worshiping together, seeking divine guidance, or helping each other, it is important to focus on this aspect of holiness. It should be plain to everyone that the gathering of believers creates sacred space. Hymns and prayers can serve as a reminder of this important principle. Therefore, it is important that when believers come together to worship, there needs to be a reminder of some kind to establish the idea of sacred space in everyone’s mind. The Spirit will always work, but being mindful of our own sacred space allows each of us to participate in that work. I have this mostly written out, but cannot transcribe it right now.

Listening
James 1:19 – 21

Being slow to speak and quick to listen is easy enough to say, but very difficult to execute. What does it mean to be quick to listen? Practically speaking, being quick to listen includes the following:

• Hearing another person without focusing on your own agenda
• Searching for the meaning of what another person is trying to say
• Asking questions
• Withholding assessments until a person is finished sharing.

Seek Understanding
Proverbs 18:2

The experience of God is what motivates an individual believer. Are we trying to give advice more than understand another brother’s experience?

Silence and Reflection
Psalms 46:10

Self-Control

Being Orderly

Build Trust

What is said in the assembly, stays in the assembly.

What does this look like practically? In some ways, not much different than a small group meeting. In others, it could look very different.

More later about practical expressions.