I’m not trying to shock or upset anyone.

Instead, I want to help you start considering church as the New Testament actually commands it, rather than church as you’ve come to presume it.

So here’s an interesting fact:

The New Testament has numerous imperatives about why, and how, we should gather as the church …

But never once does it say it’s to “worship” God or have a “service.”

In fact, our modern notion of going to church for a “worship service” is utterly absent from the New Testament.

Nope, not, nada …

Just ain’t there.

Why?

Because the New Testament – in multiple passages – explicitly commands us to gather together for a different reason …

Which is to mutually edify, build up, and encourage one another as we minister to each other so we can grow together in our faith and become mature, functional believers.

For example, the only reason the New Testament says we should sing God’s praises …

Is to encourage each other.

But instead of the New Testament’s horizontal imperatives about being the church, one for another …

We have substituted post-Biblical notions that “church” primarily has a vertical focus …

As though we should go to some building to find or invoke God’s presence rather than encourage one another with the Living God who now dwells in us.

So instead of simple, participatory gatherings with unpretentious ministry one to another …

We now have special buildings dedicated to “worship,” with special “worship services” performed by a special class of priestly intermediaries called “worship leaders” who usher us into God’s “presence” while insuring we give big weekly “collections” of “tithes,” immediately followed by another hired professional intermediary called a “senior pastor” who monopolizes our gatherings through monologue “sermons” from an elevated stage with an “altar” and spectator seating.

NONE of that exists in the church as commanded in the New Testament …

And, in fact, it prevents us from actually being the church like the New Testament says.

Instead, true “worship” under the New Covenant is each of us individually living lives of reverence and sacrificial obedience to God – holy and acceptable before Him …

24/7.

When we then gather together, we are commanded to mutually edify, build up, and encourage one another in that like, common faith.

Nothing more …

Nothing less.

If that rattles your presumptions, then do as the Bereans …

Who diligently searched Scripture to see what it really says.

When you finally confirm these truths in His Word for yourself …

I simply suggest that you ask God what He then wants you to do about it.

Because real faith is about trust and obedience …

Not our human traditions and comfort zones.