Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3b). THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE (ISSN 0009-630X) is published bi-monthly by the Churches of God, General Conference. Vol. 187, No. 4 Established June 5, 1835 as THE GOSPEL PUBLISHER, re-established on May 1, 1846 as THE CHURCH ADVOCATE, and re-established on October 1, 2019 as THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE.
Why do We Gather? by Lance Finley, CGGC Executive Director
Rachel Foreman, Managing Editor The Global Advocate, official publication of the Churches of God, General Conference, exists to encourage members of the CGGC to maximize their collective potential for Kingdom impact. Correspondence: Address correspondence to The Editor, The Global Advocate, Churches of God Publications, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839, or email to RachelF@cggc.org. Periodical rate paid at Minster, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839. © 2022, Churches of God, General Conference 2 July/August 2022
Why does your local congregation gather? Over the past two years there has been a lot of discussion around the importance of Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” It’s pretty clear that we need to gather and that it’s vital to our discipleship to Jesus. We need each other if we’re going to follow Jesus and live out the many “one another” commands that are found through out the New Testament. With that being said, it’s still a good question to ask: Why does your local congregation gather? Is it worship? Is it fellowship? Is it discipleship? Is it teaching? Is it evangelism? It’s probably safe to assume that a lot of us might answer, “It’s all of those things and more.” Perhaps others would point to love one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, or consider one another better than yourselves.
