Not A Building, Not A Gathering

Traditionally we’ve used the word “church” in a number of ways. For instance, we say “I went to church today...” or “We had some good church today.” I mean come on, many of us grew up saying those very things. We’d use the word “church” to define either a physical location or any religious gathering. Better yet, like me, you probably still use the same terminology today.

While most individuals clearly understand what is meant by making these statements, using this very powerful word in this manner not only takes it out of context, it also dilutes its power and meaning. The church is not a building, nor is the church merely a gathering. The church is more about people than anything else. Definitively the word itself means “The Called Out...” (Ekklesia). That’s a powerful statement! The church is not a building, but rather is a “called out” people.

Think about it, do you think that God would have given His only son for a building, song or program? Not at all! “For God so loved the world (dying and lost people) that HE gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The church has one common set of beliefs. If you’ve confessed Jesus as Lord of your life and believe that God raised Him from the dead, this belief and confession alone now makes us...“The Church.”

As you can see it was all about the people. If we take an honest introspective look and ask ourselves the question, “Is it more about us, our breakthrough, or our blessing, than it is about those that are lost and in darkness?” I believe that’s a question that the church must wrestle with during this season (both individually and corporately). If our goal is to reach and disciple the lost soul for the glory of God, than why is it not happening on an even broader scale than it is? Have we gotten off focus? Have we begun to drift from our missional priorities? Have we gotten more consumed with ourselves than those who stand in need of our Savior? More now than ever the “mobile” church is needed. The church is needed on your job, in your community, within your family, at the corner store, in the homeless shelter... the Church is needed.

Romans 12:5 declares that we “the church” are one body in Christ—many members, yet one body. If the church rises up and begins to shift its focus to the lost, then maybe the glory of God can be seen in a way that this world has never seen before. Will you do your part?

By
Darius Wise