On sticking together

When the phone rang before I was out of bed this morning – not all that late, let it be said – our bedside handset was missing. Immediately I remembered that the study unit also wasn’t in its accustomed place. All three of our phones were clustered together in the lounge. This happens a lot. It’s as if they are gregarious. A common instinct seems to draw them together on a regular basis.
Our handsets are a double-sided metaphor for the small church. On the one hand, we need each other and we enjoy getting together because in our congregation we are known by and can know everyone at a reasonably personal level. This weekend we’re particularly looking forward to Helen’s first ever service.
But, on the other hand, the reason for our being together on Sunday is just not to be together. We can’t truly be the church until we separate and return to our personal places where the mission to which we are called is to be carried out.