August 4, 2010
And: The Gathered and Scattered Church
A few weeks ago the book And: The Gathered and Scattered Church showed up on my front step (that’s because I bought it of course). This book was written by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay of Adullam Church in Denver, CO. I was interested in this book for a few reasons.
First of all, we use the phrase “shaping and sending” in our congregation as a short description of what we are doing. I respect (from afar) what these guys are doing so I was hoping this book would be a bit of the struggles and successes they’ve had in trying to work this out in the context of their community. I wasn’t disappointed. I really, really appreciated hearing their story. They didn’t approach the book as “here is how we did it and why we are some awesome.” Rather, I felt like I was sitting in a coffee shop with them as we conversed with the pains, struggles and joys of seeking to live as a community that is gathered together around Jesus Christ and sent into our neighborhoods, work places, schools, homes, etc to be the presence of Jesus.
The second thing I was hoping for was a recapturing of the significance of the “gathered” aspect of church family life. I’ve become more and more convinced that the weekly gathering is and should an extremely significant part of a community’s life together. I understand the recent efforts to de-emphasize the Sunday morning experience. But, I personally think that approach is an overreaction. Yes, the Sunday morning experience has become an idol for many. But I don’t think we need to throw it. We need to find harmony between the gathered and scattered nature of the church. If all we do is gather: no good. If all we do is scatter: no good either.
All that being said, I felt like this book is a really, really helpful dialogue partner for churches seeking to find that rhythm between gathering and scattering, or as we say it at The Well, shaping and sending.
Non Disclaimer, discplaimer: This book was not sent to me to review and I don’t know the authors (though, one of my favorite couples in the world just moved to Denver and I sent them to Adullam and they said they loved it and it felt like The Well – that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!). I just liked the book. I think you’ll like it too.
08.5.10
By: Matt Stephens
Amen. I couldn’t agree more, brother. I’m SOOO tired of the false dichotomies. Have been for a long time. I’m tuning out every “missional” writer/thinker/blogger/speaker who keeps up the rant against the gathered church. Praise God for sensible, biblically discerning people like Halter and Smay (as well as Belcher, whose recent book reflected the kind of balance we need).
Shalom.
08.10.10
By: carol hiestand
I appreciate that you find the balance – most of the time the extremes of either issue doesn’t really solve a problem.
made me want to read the book. guess i’ll have to order it.