i very excited about sunday night (3.28.2010) at tapestry because the whole worship gathering is a potluck. i don’t mean that we are canceling our normal gathering and having a shared meal. nope, we are doing the whole gathering, singing, LORD”s supper, preaching, praying, discussion and all, as a part of a common meal. it’s an ancient practice within the bride of CHRIST (i.e. the church) that just isn’t done as much as it should be.
here’s how pliny the younger (a roman magistrate) described the worship practices of the early CHRISTian church.
they affirmed the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they met on a stated day before it was light, and addressed a form of prayer to Christ, as to a divinity, binding themselves by a solemn oath, not for the purposes of any wicked design, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate,and then reassemble, to eat in common a harmless meal. (pliny to emperor trajan, book 10 letter 97
“to eat in common a harmless meal” HA! he got that wrong. harmless – what a joke!
there is something about eating together that plays such a huge part in following CHRIST. i believe there is a reason that the bible tells so many stories of JESUS eating with people. i believe there is a reason that followers of CHRIST should eat together – ALOT!
i can’t wait to eat with everyone sunday night. if you are bringing food please bring enough for 8 people. that way together we will have more than enough for everyone.