Instructions for Assembly
- Hannah Tekle
- Dec 1, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 20, 2023
Tents of Mercy Congregation
Kiryat Yam, Israel
Why Kehila?
"Kehila" is a Hebrew word that means community. It is used colloquially among Israeli believers to refer to a Messianic Congregation.
There is a saying in Amharic, the primary language of Ethiopia, that “the womb is as colorful as the rainbow.” When our children were little, people would frequently use this phrase to explain the unique personalities and different qualities that each of our children displayed.
Our children happen to look very much alike. In fact, people often think that our two girls and two boys are two sets of twins. Nevertheless, they are as different from one another as can be! Despite having shared parents, shared life experiences, family traditions, standards and education, (even if the oldest ones often claim that the rules get looser and looser with each kid that comes along) siblings still turn out different.
Siblings share space. They share memories. They have to share toys and they have to share time and attention with their parents. Many times they get on each other’s nerves and fight ruthlessly. But having brothers and sisters, as we have told our children so often, is like having built in friends. If it is done right, they are the people you will feel the most comfortable with, be the most challenged by, and be defended by fiercely should you need protection from someone or something.
Kehila is like a family. We are different but we belong together.
Congregants are like siblings. We do things together. We learn together. We grow together. We sometimes get along and sometimes we experience conflict. We love each other. We belong to each other. We grow better because we get to share life together. We share one another’s burdens. We share one another’s joys and share in one another’s grief as well.
In this post-Corona era, many are discussing whether the old format is still relevant. The weekly meeting and the classic congregational elements – worship, children’s ministry, messages, and local outreach – are the weekly family meal, the family night, the family traditions that form the memories and the family flavor that gives us identity and belonging.
“Let us not neglect the assembling of ourselves together, as some have made a habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Sometimes as families, we have to adjust and accommodate to growing and changing needs, so also as a kehila. A weekly tradition we used to have before Corona was a time of fellowship and refreshment in our coffee house following the Shabbat service. During the season of online services, we canceled the lease on the space that housed the coffee house, and our traditional fellowship time has not been the same since.
Not-By-Chance Provision
The fellowship hall, which adjoins our sanctuary, houses the humanitarian aid distribution center on weekdays, congregational events in the evenings and weekends, and ideally would be arranged and available for events at different times during the week as well. This multipurpose space has been well used for over 20 years and is in need of some repairs and renovations, involving replacing the broken tile floor, installing acoustic ceiling tiles and adding some atmospheric lighting. As we pray and plan these changes, our desire is also to recreate that welcoming “coffee house” atmosphere.
Renovations will begin in the near future, but in the meantime, congregational life must go on. We tried a few temporary solutions for the after service fellowship time, but felt frustrated with the results. Seeking to make some progress, we decided to begin by taking the coffee house chairs out of storage, and were planning to go shopping for tables and a few other items. And then that very week we received a donation shipment that included tables, shelves and colorful rugs. They were exactly what was needed to make a large, open hall feel cozy and welcoming – what a sweet and unexpected gift from God!
To highlight God’s provision to our congregational family members, we turned the service schedule upside down, just like the “cafe hafookh” (upside down coffee - cafe au lait) that we make and Israelis love to drink. Now we are beginning our service with a relaxed time of conversation over cookies and coffee followed by praise and worship enriched by the unity and bonding in fellowship. This is not a “supplement” to our worship time. It is an essential element. Especially after two years (!) of “remote” services, and with our marvelous cultural diversity,* we need this comfortable “kitchen table” setting to get to know each other, to be encouraged, and to bear one another’s burdens.
In family life, as in life in general, we hit rough patches. By God’s grace, with faith and prayer and sometimes with a little bit of mental, relational, and physical “elbow grease” the wrinkles smooth out and looking back, we are filled with contentment to see how God works.
Organized religions want all members to conform to a pattern, to be the same and disappear into the whole, but living out an authentic faith as part of a community is complicated. It involves reveling in our unique qualities and praising God for the differences and diversity while asking Him for grace to love one another. It requires agreement and unity on the important things, giving one another space on the marginal things, and being kind and generous in all things. We must be committed to a faith community. Our roots must be planted firmly to receive the full nourishment, paying the full price and receiving the full benefit.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” (Psalm 133:1-3 KJV, emphasis added)
*God promised that regathered Israel would reflect this very diversity of national backgrounds.
“But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.” (Jeremiah 23:3)
