What is our reason to GATHER together.

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Understanding the reasons for corporate worship from a biblical perspective is necessary for the planning and preparation of these gatherings. 
 
While there are variety of things we can point to as to what we ‘do’ when we gather together, it is more necessary to consider what Scripture says about the purpose of gathering.  
 
Worship?  Edification?  Exhortation?  Evangelism?  What should our mentality be? 
 
There is not one command in the gospel for public ‘worship’.  The frequent attendance is never so much as mentioned in all the New Testament.   Historically, early Christians gathered on the first day of the week because of Christ’s resurrection.  Hebrews 10 follows a lengthy discourse on believers who were being persecuted in their new faith and were ‘jumping ship’ back to Judaism.   The writer there talks about them ‘drifting away’ or ‘hardening their hearts’, both references to apostacy as clearly indicated in Hebrews 10: 19-39.  In that section it states, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (v. 24-25).  This may be the most compelling argument in scripture that the primary reason for gathering together on a regular basis is for encouraging one another as it is implied in this section of Scripture.
 
Still, there is plenty of support for teaching too.
 
Paul regularly uses the terminology of ‘building up’ or ‘edifying’ to indicate the purpose and function of Christian gatherings.  This terminology is used in 1 Corinithians 14.   One must also consider the dynamic of the corporate body when they gather.  Ephesians 4, 7-12; Romans 12: 6-8; 1 Corinthians 12: 7-10 are all connected somehow to 1 Peter 4:10, “Everyone should use whatever gift they have received to SERVE others, faithfully administering God’s grace in all of its various forms.   A study of these lists shows the gifts are given for the ecclesia to ‘serve’ them by training them up; encouraging them on their way; teaching, exhorting, giving.   While some level of importance should be given to the preaching of the Word in the corporate gathering, the centrality of the WORD can also be distributed through the Body of Christ for this SAME purpose through the distribution of gifts.   In may cases, the function of this is not always about teaching but encouragement.  Often, the two are so inextricably intertwined that it’s impossible (and maybe unnecessary) to unravel.
 
Even the singing, as it was given, was centered on the Word of God, but was for the purpose of edification and encouragement.  “Colossians 3:16 says ‘Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish (this word in the original language also means exhort) one another in all wisdom, as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
 
I will always hold to the  teaching/preaching of the Word as vital to the liturgy of corporate gathering.  But I would upend my will on that (sermon preparation, etc.) for the Spirit of God to blow through our assembly and use the body of Christ there to manifest his WORD for us through the gifts in our members.  
 
As WE see the day approaching,  it is even more important for us to spur one another on to do good works and encourage one another in the faith.