Why do we meet on Sundays?
Now that technology allows us to access services remotely, many see little need to meet face to face every week. Others think that because we have a personal relationship with Jesus as Christians, church is an optional add-on. For some, they know deep down that there is a reason why gathering on Sundays is important, but they are weary and don’t feel excited about it. So what is the purpose of corporate worship, and what is our role in it?
In this book, Tony Merida highlights how in-person Sunday gatherings are central to God’s plans and to our faith and joy. He reminds believers of their privileges as citizens of heaven, members of God’s family, and stones in God’s temple.
Readers will see how each part of a church service (preaching, praying, singing, baptism, Lord’s Supper, and building each other up in conversations) are ways to enjoy and share God’s grace, and are therefore essential for spiritual endurance. You’ll also be reminded that your presence in corporate worship matters because you have a part to play in encouraging your brothers and sisters and spurring them to love and good deeds.
Read this book to renew your understanding and enjoyment of going to church and to be excited by the ways in which your presence can encourage others.
There are discussion questions at the end of every chapter with action steps, making it ideal to read as a small group or even a whole church. Accompanying free downloads are available that can be used for small groups. There are downloadable worksheets, a PDF version of the book's discussion guide, introductory videos for each chapter and more.
If you are a pastor looking to remind church members of the importance of gathering as God’s people, this resource is for you.
This book is part of the Love Your Church series, a collection of thoughtful and practical books that will inspire every church member with a biblical vision of what it means to be a local community of God’s family. Church members can explore together what it means to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve and to honour one another, and to witness and send people out to spread the gospel.
“Reminder of the beauty of God's Church”
This book is party of the “Loving Your Church series from The Good Book Company. It is a short and compelling read that reminds the reader of the privilege it is to be part of a church and to gather in church each week. Having read Tony Merida’s “Love Your Church” book last year, this echoes some of the same message. In America, we don’t know the struggle to get to gather with church. We take it for granted and treat it as something to be done when it’s convenient or beneficial for ourselves. Tony Merida takes the time in these pages to remind the reader the truth of why we gather in church.
The opening sentence of the first chapter reads: “It is remarkable that we are able to worship God together at all.” A littler further, he writes: “To even be able to worship God is a divine privilege of grace.” This really sets the tone for the entire book. Remembering that gathering and worshiping is a privilege, Tony encourages Christians not to forsake this privilege and to regularly gather with your local body of believers. In 8 chapters, he explains various aspects of gathering and the purpose for it - from stirring one another up, to hearing God’s Word, to praying together, to celebrating the gospel as well as few others.
This is a well-written book, full of Scriptural support, and includes additional helpful resources. Each chapter ends with “action steps” so that you can begin to put into action what you’ve read. I also really like the bibliography listed at the end of the book as well as the discussion questions. This would make a great book to go through with a small group. There’s even a free kit you can download that can help you with that.
“Reminder of the beauty of God”
This book is party of the “Loving Your Church series from The Good Book Company. It is a short and compelling read that reminds the reader of the privilege it is to be part of a church and to gather in church each week. Having read Tony Merida’s “Love Your Church” book last year, this echoes some of the same message. In America, we don’t know the struggle to get to gather with church. We take it for granted and treat it as something to be done when it’s convenient or beneficial for ourselves. Tony Merida takes the time in these pages to remind the reader the truth of why we gather in church.
The opening sentence of the first chapter reads: “It is remarkable that we are able to worship God together at all.” A littler further, he writes: “To even be able to worship God is a divine privilege of grace.” This really sets the tone for the entire book. Remembering that gathering and worshiping is a privilege, Tony encourages Christians not to forsake this privilege and to regularly gather with your local body of believers. In 8 chapters, he explains various aspects of gathering and the purpose for it - from stirring one another up, to hearing God’s Word, to praying together, to celebrating the gospel as well as few others.
This is a well-written book, full of Scriptural support, and includes additional helpful resources. Each chapter ends with “action steps” so that you can begin to put into action what you’ve read. I also really like the bibliography listed at the end of the book as well as the discussion questions. This would make a great book to go through with a small group. There’s even a free kit you can download that can help you with that.
“The Gift of Loving Your Church”
he first book in the series by Tony Merida is titled Gather: Loving Your Church as You Celebrate Christ Together (2023). Gathering is a crucial characteristic of any local church. This is the main purpose for the local church, for believers to gather together to worship Jesus. In the book, Pastor Merida discusses important aspects of gathering as a local congregation. These include: preaching God’s Word, singing , prayer, mutual edification, celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and baptism. Each local gathering will look different based on the context, but the afore mentioned aspects should be present.
One of the most important reasons that the local church gathers, and is oftentimes overlooked by many, is the work of evangelism. Pastor Merida discusses this in the last two chapters of the book. While it is certainly crucial for the church to gather for worship, it is important to remember that the church is a sent people. The church does not exist merely for those gathered, but to equip the saints to go and share the gospel. A church that does not keep the gospel at the forefront of their mission, has signed its own death certificate.
The Love Your Church series is an excellent set of resources for church leaders and lay people alike. Each volume exhorts local churches to be what the church is called to be by Jesus. The church is an institution established by the Lord to propagate the gospel to the ends of the earth. Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). This promise should give the church confidence in its mission, but also serve as a warning. It is only when we are standing on the biblical gospel, that we stand firm. For this reason, the church should be a place to gather for worship, find true belonging, and welcome others to come and find rest.
“convicting”
This is a new book in the Love Your Church series, each written by a different author, but focus on the primary aspects of how a Church body can love its own Church body well.
In Gather, Tony spends the entire book discusses the facets of in person church vs. virtual church, which stemmed greatly from covid shutdowns. It's become too easy and convenient for many believers to stay virtual in their church worship and activities, spending more time justifying their reasoning for virtual than actually loving their church in their virtual capacity.
The book is structured with eight chapters, each describing a specific purpose of gathering as a church. Some of these purposes include: Hear God's Word, Pray Together, Reach Outsiders, Scatter.
Each chapter is also formatted the same as it begins with a scripture reference, Merida's talking points, and concluding with action steps. My favorite part throughout the entire book is the actions steps within each chapter. These are simple and practical and because of such, they are also very convicting to step out in action for your home Church.
I appreciate Merida's prompting to reunite and reignite the church with in person gatherings. God created us for fellowship. Although technological advances have brought about many conveniences, it's also hindered the deepness and genuineness of our relationships.
I received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.
