Defining Church
"There is a church on every corner."
"What church do you attend?"
"I work at [nearby church]."
"Yep, I'm a Christian—I go to church."
Like me, I am sure that you hear comments like these quite frequently. In fact, I heard each of these at least once in the past week alone. I also heard this:
"Church isn't a building; church is people!"
You have probably heard this one too, right? Although it’s a common expression, it doesn’t seem to be compatible with the other comments, does it?
Friends, it is time that we clearly define what we mean by church. What is a church? Or who is the church?
“You are not called to be a [name of a church] person. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are called to be a Gospel person.”
If you spend enough time with us, you will likely see someone draw a little diagram to help define "church." We will draw a rectangle and label the four sides buildings, budgets, staff, and programs.
"Church is not these things," we will say, as we cross-out these labels. We will go-on to draw a triangle with new labels. "Church is people who love God, love others, and make disciples—centered around Christ as King."
Amen! This is true. But, these are all still things that the church does. The next articles in this series will talk more about what we do and why. For now, I want us to take a step further back. Let's establish who we are, and how we came to be that way. What is our story?
Fundamentally, followers of Jesus are Gospel people. You may hear us say, "People call us the 'house church people,' but we just want to be known as 'the Gospel people.'"
And friend, guess what? The same is true for you. You are not called to be a [name of a church] person. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are called to be a Gospel person.
“God relentlessly pursues full communion with His people. He washes over their sin, teaches them to be holy, and blesses them with His presence.”
Let’s take a look at the Gospel story, and the history of God's people, starting with the nation of Israel—God's people in the Old Testament.
You likely already know the basics: At the very beginning of it all, God created us to dwell in perfect holiness and fellowship with Him, and we did! Then we rebelled against His design and commands, and we were cast away from His blessing—cursed to live, toil, and die apart from His presence.
It is only because we serve a merciful God that our story does not end here. As you read scripture, you will see an epic narrative begin to unfold: God relentlessly pursues full communion with His people. He washes over their sin, teaches them to be holy, and blesses them with His presence.
“Gospel people are set-apart people, reconciled to God, with whom His presence dwells. This is Good News.”
Let's look closer:
In the Old Testament, God chose to rescue the Hebrew people out of Egypt and to make them a new nation—Israel. God covered Israel's sin with the blood of animal sacrifices, and He gave her His law so that she could be righteous. Most of all, He gave her His presence; the Spirit of God filled the Temple! When Israel walked in obedience to God, she carried the blessing and power of His presence dwelling in her midst.
God makes an even bigger rescue in the New Testament. He sends us the promised Messiah—His son, Jesus—to be offered-up as sacrifice that covers sin forever. Now, instead of writing His law on tablets of stone, He writes it on our hearts, and His Spirit fills us. We are His Temple.
When we say that we are "Gospel people," and that you are a "Gospel person," we mean this: We are people who have been reconciled to God. We are people who have been set-apart from the world around us. And we are people with whom He dwells. Our sin has been washed away, His righteousness is written on our hearts, and His Holy Spirit is given to us as a downpayment of the glorious fellowship that is yet to come.
Gospel people are set-apart people, reconciled to God, with whom His presence dwells. This is Good News.
(If you want to take an even closer look at fulfilled prophecy in the meta-story of God’s presence dwelling with His people, click here for a journey through the scriptures.)
“We are also called and missioned with a purpose: To share the Good News, to build-up the body of Christ, and to love God with everything we have.”
Now, back to the question: Who or what is church? In addition to embodying our story as Gospel people, it is helpful to look at our many names and collective identities in scripture. As followers of Jesus, together we are called:
One Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and Romans 12:5)
The Household & Temple of God (Ephesians 2:19-22 and Hebrews 3:6)
Sons of God & Co-Heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-18)
The Bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2 and Revelation 19:7)
We are also called ekklesia, which translates to "church,” and means "those who are called out to gather together." This word appears in three contexts, referring to:
Followers of Jesus Universally (Matthew 16:18)
Followers of Jesus in a City (Revelation 3:1)
Followers of Jesus that Meet in a Home (Acts 5:42 and Colossians 4:15)
Very little of this has anything to do with a building on a corner or a service we attend, does it?
No, it doesn’t. Friends, there is so much more to being the Church. We are reconciled, set-apart, and empowered by His Spirit. We are God’s temple. We are Christ’s body and bride. We are sons, daughters, and co-heirs with Christ to the Kingdom of God.
We are also called and missioned with a purpose: To share the Good News, to build-up the body of Christ, and to love God with everything we have. Our next articles in this series will talk more about this, but in the meantime…
Never forget that our Gospel is one of power. We do not simply share historical facts and moral guidelines to try to convince people to live self-righteous lives. No!
Our lives have been rescued from the pit (Psalm 40, Psalm 103) and we have been adopted into the household of the living God (Romans 8, Ephesians 2)—this is who we are. And it is by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to live set-apart lives and to minister the testimony of Jesus—this is how we do it.
The next time that you find yourself asking, “What church do you attend?”, or saying, “I go to [name of church],” just remember:
Church is not a building on a corner or a service you attend. Church is a people, and it is not just any kind of people…
Reconciled and set-apart, with whom His presence dwells.
Now, go and live like it’s true.
