A growing number of ecclesias are finding spiritual strength and unity in a monthly service which is a little unique to the round of classes, lectures and services that the average Christadelphian is used to. Having its origin in the mission field, the Devotional, as it has come to be called, has found a great deal of acceptance among ecclesias in the home areas. The service usually takes place after a simple, community prepared or pot-luck dinner. Chairs or benches are arranged in a circular fashion to bring the group as close together as physically possible. There is no presiding brother, the key to continuity in the service being a chalkboard upon which the hymns, readings and prayer items are written. At the appropriate time, the pianist or organist begins, the remaining participants following along with the chosen hymn. The order of service listed on the chalkboard is followed, each person participating when due. When a prayer item is arrived at, the brother most familiar with the need will set forth this need to the rest of the group. He will then initiate a prayer for this need. When concluded, others may join in and add their petitions or the meeting may progress to a new point on the order of service. At the close of the service, participants leave immediately without an exchange of conversation. Though this is strange to our normal practice of copious social countersink after a meeting, it perpetuates the seriousness and spirituality of the occasion as the members meditate on the meeting as they return homeward.
Though the Devotional is no instant formula for spiritual success in an ecclesia, it does accomplish a number of things that our regular round of meetings and classes do not seem to fulfill. It helps an ecclesia to crystallize its goals, as these specific goals are often the subject of petitions at the Devotional. It brings the members of an ecclesia closer together. Praying intensely about a common need can not but help to bring a group closer together and closer to God. By dealing with problems on the very elementary level, it promotes a greater knowledge and understanding of each others individual problems and trials thus bringing about a greater realization of our need for God and His son Jesus Christ and a greater appreciation of His love toward us. It provides a way by which many who might not be inclined to express their heartfelt desires in a more formal meeting can share these petitions with their brethren. Most of all, if the Devotional is approached with a firm conviction that God hears and answers our prayers and that we are not just carrying on an exercise for our own benefit but presenting a meaningful service to a living God, then His blessings are sure to follow. Perhaps not immediately, for there is often much that must be worked out in the heart of the petitioners but we have the assurance, not the least of which is the parable of the importunate widow, that God will hear our prayers and answer them.
A larger ecclesia may find it advantageous to divide into smaller groups or cells so that the lack of closeness which is so often associated with size can be overcome. The first meeting has often been difficult and reserved. Prayers are strained and real needs are often not identified. Expressing oneself openly to the Creator in front of a group is not easy, yet the assurance that God knows the hearts of each of us and recognizes our feeble efforts to plead our cause before His throne will lead us to a freer and more uplifting service and we should expect future meetings to bring about that closeness that God desires of those who would be His servants.
List, but not least, we should be aware of the risk we are undertaking in starting a Devotional service in our ecclesia. A candid and frank openness among brethren can break down a veneer of false fronts and appearances which have been built up and maintained over years and can change the whole direction and tenor of a meeting and an individual life. Perhaps there is a value after all to compartmentalizing our life and dealing with the ecclesia at arms length. After all, this way we don’t really have to get involved and run the risk of being forced, by our own convictions (worst of all) of changing our lifestyle and really following Christ. Are we ready to take this risk for Christ’s sake?
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One