'Church'

What comes to mind when you here someone say the word 'church'? A building? A group of people? A worship experience? The Body of Christ?

We live in day when 'church' can mean a multitude of things. There are mega churches with thousands of members. There are small churches with a handful of members. There are non denominational churches and churches that belong to a denomination. There are new churches and churches that have been around for hundreds of years. There are churches that worship with lots of instruments, some with a few, and some with none. The list of characteristics that make up and differentiate the many local churches goes on and on. Yet, biblically, all of these local churches are supposed to make up the one universal Church - that being the Body of Christ that encompasses all who are truly saved.

So, the real question becomes this: is your idea, or my idea, of the local church and it's relationship to the universal Church (the Body of Christ) biblical? 

the Greek word in the New Testament translated 'church' is ekklēsia, meaning "a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church"

That definition is a pretty stripped down idea of 'church' compared to what we are used to. There really isn't any solid structure described...church by definition is a group of people that have been called out to worship God. This is where our idea of church needs to be rooted.

I challenge all of us to pray for God to remove any outside influences that may be shaping our idea of what 'church' needs to be, what we think it ought to be. Lets get back to the basic, biblical definition and use God's Word alone to expand our idea of church, based on solid Truth.

As we move forward, we will look at the beginning of the early church, some of the challenges it faced, it's role within its local community, and it's role within the universal Church. We will also look at the structure that Paul, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, laid out for us. (structure is needed when this group of people begins to grow, and it's imperative that this structure is biblical). Included in this structure is church government, church involvement, church discipline, church worship, etc. 

I will strive to ensure that this idea of church will be biblical, based only on God's Truth. However, I am human, I am continually growing, and I make mistakes. I'm asking you to hold me accountable. Discussion is good, and as we navigate through this deep, powerful, amazing idea of 'church' together, I know we can all grow in unity, based on solid Truth!

What comes to mind when you hear the word 'church'?