Our modern-day understanding of the word church is at best troubling, and at worst flat out wrong. And even sadder, I find that many "church goers" do not have a proper understanding because they have allowed language and culture to dictate meaning instead of basing truth on Scriptures they claim to be divinely inspired.

I would love to hear from people with various viewpoints and worldviews on this topic. As you read this post, please consider the following question:

How would your opinion of church change if you saw a unified group of people sacrificially loving each other (internal) who collectively and genuinely cared for other people (external)?

Some background information

I "grew up in church." The funning thing about the phrase "grew in church" is that it emphasizes regular attendance to weekly events. For me personally, this phrase does not speak to a changed life, accountability, obedience, or living life in community with like-minded people.

When I think back about "church" I realize that for most of my life, I have been an individual who is physically present with other individuals at the same building, listening to the same messages or singing the same songs. But rarely have I felt that I have been unified with those people in vision and purpose. Once the weekly event concludes, we say good-bye until we gather again the next week.

Church is not a once-a-week activity.

Church is not a detailed schedule, a series of well-planned events, or a list of available programs.

Early Christians gathered more than a couple of times a week. They knew that church was not a 2-3 hour event that just happened on Sunday. The New Testament records that they meet daily in each other's homes and shared meals with each other. They sought to live life as a community instead of structuring their lives around well-planned events.

Life as a church should be a bit messy (in my opinion). When someone is changed by Jesus they still battle with the old ways of life. Instead of refined services and elaborate programs, what would happen if the church focused on helping people grow emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually?

• If someone does not have food, other members of the church step up and give from their abundance.
• If there is a death of a family member or friend, other members gather to pray, embrace the grieving, and be shoulders to cry on.
• If someone struggles with addiction, other members provide accountability and stay awake with the addicted through long nights of withdrawals.
• If someone is hurting and depressed, then others members become a listening ear and provide wise counsel.

This type of life does not happen in a few hours on Sunday. This type of life is an ongoing covenant with other people. It is both sacrificial giving and humble receiving. It is both learning and teaching. It is life well-lived through both struggles and joy.

Church is not the building

Church is not the building where people meet to worship.

The word church (the Greek word ekklesia) originally referred to a group of people who had been called out to live a life that is like Jesus. The original emphasis is on a group of Christ followers. But over time, modern English has assigned a second meaning to the word church - a building where Christians gather.

When the focus of the word church becomes a building, then the responsibility of the called-out ones (ekklesia) is diminished.

I often hear people talk about "going to church." This phrase usually emphasizes a building, the activities, and/or the programs.

I prefer to use the following verb phrases:

• "Be the church" - This is an acknowledgment of a covenant relationship with other "called-out ones."
• "Do church life" - This is a commitment to collectively obey the commands of Christ with other Christians.

Final Thoughts

The idea of church is very important to me because I believe that I am supposed to live out my life as an encouragement to others. Admittedly, I have been personally been hurt by fake imitations of church, and I have countless stories of other people who have been hurt as well. But I do not plan on allowing how the word "church" is often (and lived out) used to prevent me from pursuing the true meaning of what church should be.

Thanks for listening! I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

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Image Source:
https://pixabay.com/en/architecture-church-building-vault-2909249/