Existing quite informally since 1989, the Riverside Gathering is a non-denominational Christian congregation, without walls, centered in Durham, North Carolina. It recognizes and affirms that a church or congregation is not a building, but a gathering of people. In many respects, it is a virtual ecclesia, or assembly of persons devoted to one person: Jesus Christ. In most respects, other than in technology, it is quite old-fashioned. When we say old-fashioned, we mean “the 50s,” but not the 1950s. We mean 50 A.D., before congregations began to assemble within, and therefore construct (and be tied to), rather elaborate edifices. The ecclesia’s name springs from the old, familiar Christian hymn, “Shall We Gather at the River?”, or simply, “At the River,” written by Robert Lowry in 1864. You see, if we actually gathered at the river, what would our group be called? Correct — “the Riverside Gathering.”
The river scene on the site’s landing page is one of many beautiful spots along the Eno River, near the campus of Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina.
The Gathering is led, again quite loosely, by its founder and presbyter, Thomas A. (“Tom”) Robinson. Tom’s Dispatches to the Front are a collection of meditations written to encourage committed Christians who find themselves living in and among a culture that is largely indifferent to the Christian Gospel, dismissive of the message of Jesus Christ, and sometimes even hostile to our Faith. Readers are encouraged to leave comments and remarks. Tom can be also contacted by email: trobthewriter@gmail.com.
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