Dear wvBc Family,

Please forgive me for not getting this out last night. I literally fell asleep on my desk and couldn’t think straight when I woke up well after 11:00pm.

As a global community we are taking steps towards learning how to function in a ‘new normal.’ As a faith community we must also do the same. We mentioned in our last email, the mandate to gather is very clear in Scripture. However, “how” and “how often” to gather is not detailed in Scripture. Some have made a case of gathering weekly based on the New Testament use of the phrase “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10) and “the first day of the week” which is the day Jesus rose from the grave (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19). This phrase is also used by Luke in Acts 20:7 and Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2.

However, it can also be argued that these passages are descriptive in nature and not prescriptive; describing what they did, not prescribing how we’re to live. As an elder team we see these passages as descriptive and not prescribing how we’re to live. God wants us to gather and all the “one another’s” of  Scripture would support that along with the mandate of passages like Hebrews 10:24-25. But He doesn’t specify how often.

The elder team has been talking, texting, emailing, video conferencing, and strategizing about the “how” and “how often.” Knowing that God hears the prayers of His people (1 John 5:14-15) we are begging Him for His wisdom, guidance, and direction. What we do know for certain is that God is still on His throne and in complete control. Psalms 103:19, says, “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”  Proverbs 16:9 says, “The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 20:24 says “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, how then can man understand his way?” And of course Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”