Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, according as the custom of some is, but entreating, and so much rather as you are observing the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10: 25, Concordant New Testament
It's a common question that many Christians face, what church do you go to? As a good friend of mine once related, the question became your identity. People associated you with whatever church you were going to at the time. If it was a large, successful church, you were a successful Christian (Think Saddleback church in North California). However, if you simply attended a small po dunk church on the outskirts of town, then you were seen as being in a "growing" congregation. If people had a bad experience in a church, they would associate you with that experience as well. You...were the church. I've had the opportunity to attend both small and large scale churches in my time. Some were successful while others not so much. But here is where I split hairs with many in the Christian community. What defines a successful church? Is it the size of the building? Is it the success of the ministry? Is it the size of the congregation? Well, the way that I see it, it is none of these. For these are all the ways which man uses to decide whether a church is worthy of being a religious institution. You have to have a good, God fearing pastor who preaches the sermons we've all heard before. You definitely need to have a good sized congregation who obediently fill the pews each and every Sunday morning. If you have this, then you have a successful church. It matters not what you teach or how many people you lead to the Lord, if you have a good sized church then you are doing it right. Well, the trouble is that many traditional churches are bleeding numbers from their congregations at a high rate. This has to be concerning to those who keep track of such things. People in the churches of America are beginning to realize what I have come to know, that the church is more about the body of believers than the brick and mortar facades which man has created.
And He is the head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may becoming first, for in Him the entire compliment delights to dwell.
Colossians 1: 18-19, Concordant New Testament
Scripture tells us that God does not dwell in temples made by the hands of men {Acts 17:24}. When we say that we are going to "Gods house," where is it that we are headed? Society tells us that the local church bears that distinction. Yet, in recent years we have seen more new churches pop up than coffee shops in most towns. So, which one is God affiliated with? Which church do I need to walk into in order to have it known that I am in Gods house? Well, the way I see it, any building where the followers of Jesus can meet is known as a church. Here in Portland we have seen churches pop up in drive ins as well as old warehouses. Some years ago, local pastor Brett Meador had the idea to hold a open bible study in downtown Portland during the noon hour. Years later, followers of Jesus still flock to this study in the downtown blocks. To understand the meaning of church, we must first understand the relationship of Christ to it. We're told that Christ Jesus is the head of body of believers {Colossians 1:18}. It is Jesus who is the head of the church, that is, the body. The body of believers IS the church. Throw aside all of traditions and trappings of the brick and mortar buildings and what you're left with are the followers of Jesus who congregate in His name. THIS is the church. The local pastor may preside over the affairs of the church, but there is no doubt that Jesus is the head. When someone asks you what church you are attending...tell them the church of Jesus.
Now all those who believe were also in the same place and had all things in common. And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them for all, forasmuch as some would have had need. Besides preserving day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the people. Now the Lord added those being saved day by day in the same place.
Acts 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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