Jesus was well aware of the Greek system of government called Ekklesia: where community members from various backgrounds come together to speak freely about their civic concerns. And so, He stated in Matthew 16:18, “I will build MY Ekklesia”. Not my worship service. Not my liturgy. Not my order of service. Not my church building. Not even my church! But I will build my Ekklesia. My very own democratic assembly where every member of my body will be free to share their knowledge and experience of me, discuss kingdom issues with each other and function in the gifts I have given them.
And the early church met together in homes and remembered the Lord through shared meals with the breaking of bread and drinking the cup. And over time this comfortable, normal, simple gathering became bound with rules and regulations and orders and ceremony. Until it was no longer distinguishable as a fellowship meal between believers and their Lord.
And in it’s place were ministries. Different Pastors/Preachers/Priests teaching and officiating services. And the original every-member functioning body became crippled and weakened by lack of exercise, dependent upon trained clergy. And the body of Christ also became divided as people became comfortable gathering in the same place with the same people week after week and listening to the same teacher. The Apostle Paul witnessed the beginning of this (1 Corinthians 1:12-13) as he encouraged believers to not become identified with leaders who taught them or baptized them. He also encouraged believers to move out of their comfort zone and meet and greet other believers meeting in other homes in Rome (Romans 16).
How wonderful would it be if believers reached out to each other beyond denominational boundaries and shared a meal together for the purpose of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ? We don’t have to agree on differing viewpoints of doctrine. The Lord doesn’t ask us for conformity. But He does deeply desire to see our unity (John 17).