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a faith community where all are WELCOME...really! |
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The Gathering - From the New Testament Greek Word "Ekklesia"
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NEW VIDEO: Here's a look at what's been happening since last October when we first started gathering as a worshipping community. This is a testimony of what happens when God plants a seed and you water it with faith.
We are incredibly grateful to Central Christian Church, Rev. Dr. Ken Crawford and all of our ministry partners (it's our term for members) and friends who have attended, prayed for us, supported us with their presence, talents, financial gifts and encouragement., and for every guest who comes in and joins us in community. One of our guiding biblical passages for our model of ministry is found in Ecclesiastes 4:12: NIV Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. In the same way that the Godhead is three in one - The Holy Trinity - and Jesus's closest disciples were three, we believe that a model of leadership with no hierarchy, where three lead in a shared partnership is not only a new paradigm shift for many churches, but it is biblical. We don't have a senior pastor and associate pastors. We have three seminary-trained theologians who are Co-Pastors and who share the responsibilities in harmony and concord. As we trek toward one full year of seeing this vision realized, we invite you to visit us, worship with us, grow with us and help us to debunk the myth that leadership has to be vertical. If you've been wondering what womanist theology is, unsure of what it is, or have never heard of it, it is seeing the biblical text through the lens of the experience of the marginalized and giving voice to those whose voices have been muted. In our exegetical work, we ask the hard questions of whose story is not being told in this passage. Whose voice is not being heard? How is the oppressed person being treated? Is there justice in the end for the marginalized person. Then we examine that against the culture in which we find ourselves today. Who are the oppressed, downtrodden, and marginalized in our midst, and how are their voices being heard? How is the biblical text speaking to their hardship and setting them free from their state of oppression? It's about women and men working together to dismantle the systems and structures that keep people oppressed - systems like patriarchy, racism, sexism, environmental racism, and centuries of institutionalized racism. We preach a gospel-centered social justice message that addresses issues such as discrimination, voter suppression, poverty, immigration, famines, food injustice, displaced persons, gentrification, misogyny, bank redlining and so much more, all with careful attention to the biblical text and through critical theological reflection. Watch this video and SEE what we do - then join us on Saturdays at 6PM and HEAR what the Lord is saying through us. |
What's in a name? The Gathering name comes from the New Testament where the Greek word for church is "ekklesia" and literally means an assembly or gathering of people. In the formation of the early church, it is recorded in Acts 16 that Lydia and a group of women had gathered, which in the Greek is "synerchomai," a deliberate, purposeful gathering of a community, in the town of Philippi, in an established place of worship where they served as leaders. It is the place where Paul and his colleagues worshipped upon their arrival in Philippi. They worshipped at "the gathering" led by Lydia and other women.
What's the aim of this gospel-centered community of today's gatherers? Jesus's ministry was rooted in responding to the least, last and lost. He was intentional in ministering to those who were marginalized, oppressed, downtrodden and made to feel as if their worth and value were being negotiated. Simply put, Jesus's ministry, at the core, brought about healing that was authentic and necessary. Black women are the most oppressed group in the world. When Black women are liberated, all marginalized groups are liberated. Through the use of a theological framework known as womanist theology, we are able to look at the sacred text in a way that hears the voices of the oppressed and that moves them to a life of sustaining vibrancy. It's not just for women, though - it's for women and men, where social justice is addressed through the gospel text in a way that raises prophetic voices and issues a rallying cry, speaking truth to power. The Gathering is a womanist church that exists to create worship experiences that address social justice issues through womanist preaching and action. It is about women and men working together to dismantle the systemic structures that seek to oppress people. We work in tandem toward building the Beloved Community where oppression and marginalization are eradicated. Welcome to The Gathering - A Womanist Church, a new worshipping community in Dallas, where all are welcome...really! |
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womanist preaching
Womanist preaching is rooted in the African American female experience of seeking the liberation, healing and restorative justice in the Gospel. It is about breaking down the systems and dangerous interpretations of the biblical text that seek to keep people in bondage. Womanist preaching is about setting the captives free!
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Worship: One Hour
Time: 6:00 PM Day: Saturday Where: Central Christian Church 4711 Westside Drive Dallas, TX 75209 Located just off Lemmon Avenue near The Dallas North Tollway |