Gathering for worship, learning

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 17 Oct 2026
  • 269 reads
13 comments
 

That place of stone with vaulted ceilings high,
and spire that points up to the sky
may sober and subdue our mood,
but will not of itself give warmth and food
to help our spirit’s sadness,
or lift our hearts in gladness,
and worship to the King.

But, if, there, or in a simple hut
there gather those whose joy is great,
(and love), to pause and listen to God’s gospel word,
we too can join, learn truth, and know his touch,
our spirits helped and stirred.

That ‘church’ word doesn’t really mean a place,
or building, but the people drawn by grace
to want to follow, worship, hear, believe,
– new family who choose to leave
the path that walks away from Him,
and everywhere they go they praise their King –
belonging to the God of all the earth
they love to meet and worship, tell his praises forth.

“Greet also the church that meets at their house.” Romans 16:5
“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:2

[IP: a church]

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Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

Nice IP response, thank you Rhiannon. Where I live there are some vast, very ornate churches which take one's breath away in 2026, but I often think how much more impressive they'd have been five, six, hundred years ago and more to people who mostly lived in very humble homes. they must have seemed like they were from another planet!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. One admires the skill and dedication to the craft and they can be lovely quiet places, but that can distract one's attention from  worship sometimes. I have always been in the humble small buildings (easier to heat also!), but my daughter and family have found a spiritual home and blessing in a vast old church building where there is clear Bible teaching and Christian fellowship, and we have been there with her.  Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Cherries appreciated, thank you. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"That ‘church’ word doesn’t really mean a place,
or building, but the people drawn by grace.."

That made me think of churches in a different way.  They are often such beautiful buildings that stand out in their setting.

Nicely done, Rhiannon. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. Yes, beautiful buildings, but Christ called his people, his Bride and gives a beauty and gifted righteousness! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. Yes, beautiful buildings, but Christ called his people, his Bride and gives a beauty and gifted righteousness! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

I do love my village church, even though I'm an atheist.  There is so much village history in the inscriptions on the walls, the stained glass and in the churchyard. We even have an engraved window to two of the villagers who died on the Herald of Free Enterprise. Many of the families in the village have ancestors in the churchyard going back to the 18th century.

I totally get your point Rhiannon, but I do think the actual buildings have something to say to us today, in terms of history.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

My sister did academic research a time ago on Welsh gravestones and how dialect affected the inscriptions. Many from times of revival had little verses painstakingly carved on (and varying a little with dialecgt in different regions) saying something like, You who pass by take note you will be following me soon, and be get ready, accept the offer now, etc.

it is good to have some of these inscriptions preserved, and family histories caught, and the buildings are often beautiful. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

But, if, there, or in a simple hut
there gather those whose joy is great,
(and love), to pause and listen to God’s gospel word,
we too can join, learn truth, and know his touch,
our spirits helped and stirred.

i remember a photo you shared, AGES ago, of what seemed a little white room but so full of colour, not huge and intended to impress but intimate and humble, very beautiful.
There was a program recently about Tyndale who translated the Bible into English, how he had joined the meaning of church and congregation, which upset the Pope at the time. I feel the Norman churches and cathedrals have been a big part of the weaponisation of Christianity, perhaps visiting one is like visiting an old warship, so it's interesting to hear about your daughter finding spiritual home in an old church - rather than becoming an artefact it is still alive, perhaps closer now to being for faith rather than appearance

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, and thanks. Building these beautiful buildings could displace humble ordinary service to people and worship, just like rituals can today be something to do instead of really having a relationship with God and letting him in to rule our lives. As you say, it's been good to see the good happy fellowship and Bible teaching filling this one old building. 

Buildings can be venerated with little thought to proclaiming the knowledge of God with reverence.

I was wondering what you meant by weaponisation of Christianity. I suppose maybe you were meaning when some, claiming they were speaking in Christ's name, lorded it over others.

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

yes!

 

Submitted by memphis on

Where two or three are gathered in my name, you are the church. We are the church! Feed my sheep.  Rhiannow, keep feeding God's sheep. May God richly bless you.

Alex Alexander

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Alex. Christ is the church's shepherd, foolish sheep, but hear his voice leading! Rhiannon