77 Guidelines for Gathering

Guidelines for Gathering. Dear brothers and sisters, we are writing these practical guidelines on how to gather as a fellowship under the headship of Jesus Christ, not as rules, but rather helpful ways forward for some. Any two to three brothers or sisters can meet in this way and start to allow the Lord to mature their gathering. We must have the simplicity of faith that our gathering is unto him and not for ourselves. Early Christians met together with a great joy at times because they were gathering with others who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. So Jesus Christ himself was the center of their unity. These simple guidelines combine many of the principles found in the Principles for the Gathering of Believers volume. Guideline 1. Gathering Towards Jesus Christ. The focus of the meeting is towards Jesus Christ, the Son of God. See Principle 1, solely looking to the person of Jesus Christ. The meeting is under his headship. See Principle 12, Jesus Christ, the head of the church. The name of Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end of the meeting in prayer. See Principle 16, the church was birthed in prayer. Our worship is towards him. We take the Lord's Supper to proclaim his death and soon coming. So it is encouraged that when believers gather weekly, that they would worship the Lord through songs and prayer. And as each group is led, consider to take the Lord's Supper weekly as a way to center the gathering around the great redemption of mankind's sins and the great hope of the gospel for others who have not believed or heard. See Principle 35, the Lord's Supper, the death of Christ. Guideline 2, Discipleship and the Word of God. It is encouraged that every believer who is gathering under the headship of Jesus Christ would honor and read the Holy Scriptures. We want to encourage all fellowships to consider to read through the yearly Bible reading plan found in the Principles volume. See Chronological Bible Reading of Scriptures. As each believer reads through the plan daily, this will build a unity with others in the movement, as well as in the small gathering. When believers come together, the servant leaders can have a teaching or exhortation. It is also encouraged that everyone can share briefly what the Lord himself taught them through their reading of the Scriptures that week. This will allow many brethren to testify and share, therefore being discipled by the Lord himself during the week. This does not replace servant leaders and giftings in the body of Christ. See Principle 11, Leading is Serving in Humility. Guideline 3, Sharing and Testifying the Good News. As we grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ, we will do what he did on the earth. See Principle 14, Making Disciples, Not Just Converts. Jesus Christ came to redeem mankind and now has sent us as his ambassadors to share the good news of his death and resurrection. See Principle 10, Preaching the Good News. When believers gather under the headship of the Lord, it is encouraged that prayers for boldness to witness be made for all members. Each believer in the fellowship is a missionary and a sent one of God. Each must have an empowering of the Holy Spirit to share this good news in the power of God. See Principle 17, The Spirit is Essential. So may prayers be given for this boldness and love to share the person of Jesus Christ with others. It is good to allow time for testimonies also of a witness of how the Lord gave words to share. It is encouraged also that believers invite seekers to the gathering as the Lord leads them to. Guideline 4, Loving Each Other in the Body of Christ. The gathering under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ must not be a time of debating, arguing, or someone trying to have their own way. See Principle 26, Having a Right Doctrine, but Wrong Spirit. Such attitudes and pride will not only bring a mar to the testimony of Christ to unbelievers, but will not allow the Spirit of Love, the Holy Spirit, to dwell richly in the midst. Each believer needs to consider others better than themselves and ask God for that love for all the body of Christ, those God has purchased with His own blood. See Principle 29, Being Rich in Mercy. At the foot of the cross we must all be found on level ground, no one better than the other. Such a sense of love in the gathering will be a great witness to any seekers who are present. See Principle 27, The Priority of Love. Guideline 5, Training and Discipling of Leaders. These meetings under the headship of our Lord are growing meetings where the Lord is adding other believers who do not have fellowship, and unbelievers who are seeking to believe the good news of Jesus Christ. See Principle 2, where two or three are gathered together. Such growth will require new gatherings to begin, and therefore new servant leaders will be needed to be able to love and guide the body of Christ in these gatherings. See Principle 59, Networking of Small Groups of Believers. We encourage each gathering to meet for six months to one year, and then to multiply into two to three groups depending on the growth and leading of the Spirit of God. There should be servant leaders for each of these groups who are able to provide leadership, teaching, and discernment in the meetings. See Submission and Leadership by Brother Zach. Through the Principles book and the yearly reading through the scriptures are a few ways that leaders are passively raised up by the Lord. Also, any existing servant leader should consider meeting with a few believers who can be trained and discipled for future leading of a gathering.