The pandemic of COVID-19 has brought to light the unique grace God employs to His people through the gathering of the saints. Contrary to what the emergent-church at the turn of the 21st century sought to unravel, covenantal gatherings are not merely societal constructs for communal pandering. Rather, the assembly of saints embark upon supernatural blessings administered through ordinary means which is constituted amid divine revelation. Meaning, current sufferings affirm the necessity to gather which is designed to bless the people of God amid their missional engagement in redeeming the world through the proclamation of the Gospel. To this end, the spiritual longing and significance of the local church can be ascertained with a new much needed appreciation. Thus, corporate worship is not merely randomized persons singing songs in a concert-like atmosphere. Nor is the preaching of the Word consolidated toward Ted Talk forums. All of these conventions, though phenomenologically mundane, carry spiritual qualities.
Thus, corporate worship is not merely randomized persons singing songs in a concert-like atmosphere. Nor is the preaching of the Word consolidated toward Ted Talk forums. All of these conventions, though phenomenologically mundane, carry spiritual qualities.
Profundity Amid Simplicity:
Therefore, as the pandemic strips us from consistently gathering, the church is afforded a rich perspective on the necessity to assemble as a covenantal community. I emphasize "covenant" because our assemblies are not merely generic social gatherings (cf. Acts 19: 32, 39, 41; Gk. ekklesia). Rather they are specific peoples--the church (cf. Matt. 16:18; Heb. 12:18-24; Gk. ekklesia)--uniting for a peculiar cause.
Administering Grace. In the epistle to Rome, Paul alludes to the notion of a unique and peculiar blessing that is administered through the physical gathering of the local assembly (Rom. 1:9-15). Paul is eager to "impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you" (Rom. 1:11). This endeavor, though, is not merely a one sided affair presuming upon the apostolic office (though the office itself should be honored). Rather, the grace imparted has a dualistic telos. Meaning, Paul asserts that "we may be mutually encouraged" (Rom. 1:12, italics mine). Thus, there is a two way street in encouraging one another communally as the people of God.Therefore, the apostle acknowledges the unique grace that is employed amid the body of believers which can not be ascertained through any other agency. He returns to this argument in saying, "I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ" (Rom. 15:29). It is the people of God that is the "pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15b, italics mine) and, therefore, is called to hold and steward the Gospel (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). And yet it is this Gospel that strengthens the covenantal community which Paul is so eager to proclaim upon his arrival (Rom. 1:15). Simply put, it is the church communally that embodies the truth and appropriates its glories toward the covenantal members and beyond. Thus, the gathering authorizes spiritual blessings that are distinct from any other means of grace appointed to the people of God by the Lord Jesus Himself.
It is the people of God that is the "pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15b) and, therefore, is called to hold and steward the Gospel (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Administering Truth. By the sealing of the Spirit, the church has been marked with gifts which are given to build up the body for the heralding of the Gospel (Eph. 4:1-10; cf. Gal. 3:1-3). Thus, it is the people of God that have been empowered and, furthermore, designed to administer spiritual vitality. To this end, God has given "the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12).
Being the Church is Being Covenantally Together:
The corporate gathering of the saints, then, is a means of grace that the Lord has given to the church in order to sanctify her. Not only are we baptized unto union with Christ, but through baptism we have been initiated into the covenantal community of saints. The longing that COVID-19 has revealed within the hearts of God's people is indicative of the teachings found within divine revelation. Henceforth, the author of Hebrews contends that we ought "not [neglect] to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb. 10:25).
Thus, may our love for the church grow exponentially while, at the same time, our lives conform to the doctrinal truths we covet.
Moving forward, it is imperative, then, to see the theological significance of the assembly of saints. Though much suffering has been endured through the COVID-19 pandemic, the positives that can be rendered from such catastrophic events is an appreciation for God's design in building up His church. Not only does it reform our conceptual framework, but bleeds into the functional expression of our daily living. Thus, may our love for the church grow exponentially while, at the same time, our lives conform to the doctrinal truths we covet. Soli Deo Gloria!
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He is the husband to Debbie Yang and the father to McCayden (11), McCoy (10), McColsen (8), and DeYoung (4). He is one of the Teaching Pastors at Covenant City Church in St. Paul, MN which was planted in 2020. McYoung is continuing his doctoral studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO where he hopes to obtain his PhD in Systematic Theology. His ambition is to use his training and platform as a means to serve the local church in living life through the Gospel lens. McYoung enjoys reading/writing, sports, and playing with his children.
