Jesus at the Center of the Room

Tyler Everett
Jul 20, 2025
2 min read

In churches everywhere, an essential question arises: Is Jesus truly at the center, or is He just a figure in the room? Is He merely a name we sing or preach about, or is He the One around whom everything revolves?

When Jesus is at the center, everything else orbits around Him until nothing else is seen but Him. He isn’t an accessory to our faith—He is the focus of our faith.

Beware of Busyness Without Presence

Why do we do so much for Him, yet spend so little time with Him? Modern church culture can be busy, distracted, and filled with activity—yet completely miss the presence of God.

At The Gathering, when we prayed about planting our church, the Holy Spirit highlighted the stronghold of religion in this region: a spirit that prioritizes form over substance and busyness over intimacy. It creates Christians who chase events, need constant incentives, and remain immature and ineffective.

One Thing Is Needed: Intimacy with Jesus

Consider the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, worshipping and listening, while Martha was busy and distracted. Jesus didn’t scold Martha for her service, but He reminded her that only one thing is necessary: to be with Him.

Religion equates busyness with fruitfulness, but true transformation happens at His feet.

Addressing the Real Struggle: Identity and Connection

Our struggle often comes from insecurity in our identity and lack of confidence in our connection with Jesus. Like Adam and Eve hiding after the fall, we sometimes feel unworthy of His presence.

Yet Hebrews 10 boldly declares we have access through the blood of Jesus, not by our works but by His finished sacrifice. We don’t approach as exiles, but as sons and daughters. Even in failure, we run to Him, not from Him.

Time in the Word Builds Connection

Connection with Jesus is not accidental—it is intentional. Like Mary, we train our hearts to linger at His feet. We develop a lifestyle of intimacy through Scripture, because Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

When you spend time in the Word:

Confidence grows in God's character.
Clarity comes in confusion.
Conviction aligns your heart to His will.
Confirmation strengthens your ability to hear His voice.

We Choose Intimacy First

In a world obsessed with busyness, we’re declaring The Gathering will be a house of intimacy first. Everything—our ministries, outreaches, and programs—will flow from time spent at His feet.

We will be a place where people encounter the heart and hand of God. Where those seeking miracles will meet the living Jesus. Where intimacy fuels action, and His presence defines our identity.