Last month we began reading Jesus Freaks with our sons in addition to our nightly Bible study. This book by DC Talk and Voice of the Martyrs focuses on past and present martyrs and it is not an easy read. Every night we have heard a new story about a hero of the faith who made a decision to stand for Christ knowing it would cost them their freedom, safety… and their very lives. Stories of people who willingly traveled to hostile areas of the world to preach the Gospel, knowing they could be thrown into jail (or worse). The point which keeps coming to mind with every new story is that we seriously take our freedom to read the Bible and meet together for granted. There are places right now where people sneak to a secret location just to read the Word and pray with other believers. No potlucks, no community groups, no programs, no worship service or light show–just the Word (which has always been enough for me). They don’t “sell church” to anyone because everyone around them is desperately hungry for the life-changing power of the Word of God. You see, “Having church” is a Christian Americanism. While I certainly believe Christ followers need community fellowship, I have never believed you must have four walls and a steeple to “have church.” 
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst
of them.” Matthew 18:20.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not anti-church. Just the opposite. In fact, Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:25,”Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His [Jesus'] return is drawing near.” But I think that our idea of God is very small–or perhaps we are being a bit legalistic– to say that we are only “having church” when we meet in designated church buildings.
My wife and I savor the precious moments when our weekly community group meets, when we gather to worship the Lord as a congregation, when we have our nightly family Bible study, or we share our nightly devotional. To me, all of these are ”having church” according to Matthew 18:20. As David Platt mentioned in a recent Facebook status update, we need to go out and share the Gospel. And I was proud to see my wife respond, “When Jesus returns to take His Church home, all the big buildings will be left behind.”
In His perfect love,
Dwight
The Parson
