What do you think of when you hear the word ‘church?’ Do you think of a building with a steeple? Do you think of a place where you have to be quiet while you sit in wooden pews?
I did a quick search of ‘church’ on wikipedia.org and was directed to a definition that focused on church buildings or architecture. But is that what church is? While wikipedia’s online encyclopedia brought me to a page that focused on church architecture, it did state the following:
“The word “church” is derived through Middle and Old English cirice, circe from the Greek κυριακον (δωμα) Lord’s (house). However, most English versions of the New Testament use the word “church” to translate ecclesia (Greek ἐκκλησία “congregation, assembly”, a word originally used without specific reference to religious gatherings).”
Looking at the New Testament use of ‘church,’ ‘ecclesia,’ Fausset’s Bible Dictionary states:
“Ekkleesia in the New Testament never means the building or house of assembly, because church buildings were built long AFTER the apostolic age. It means an organized body, whose unity does not depend on its being met together in one place; not an assemblage of atoms, but members in their several places united to the One Head, Christ, and forming one organic living whole (1 Cor. 12). The bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25-32; 1:22), the body of which He is the Head.”
Going to the New Testament:
Acts describes what the assembly of believers, the church, would look like “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common.” ~~Acts 2:42-44
1 Peter 2:9-10 gives us more to consider with, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
So, what’s your view of church?
What about a small group of people, friends, gathered at a friend’s house? Could this be church?
I believe so. The kids were sitting all around us. We sang songs.
We talked about what was going on in our lives, and what was going on in the lives of those around us. We talked about how we were created for so much more.
We read ancient texts. We let the words we read whisper to our souls. We connected with the ancients.
We reflected on who we think we are and who we were created to be.
We shared a meal…and remembered the most extreme act of love.
We painted a future full of promise, life and light.
©2005 ginny rogers
just a bit more information on the painting. in preparation for our worship gathering, the only parts of the painting that were bright were the hands at the top and the bright light. during the worship gathering, one by one, people went up to the painting and marked one of the figures with the light of Jesus with white paint. after worship, i made the figures that had white added to them brighter and more distinct from the background. this painting is 2′ wide by 3′ tall.
Ginny, Hey there… The painting is absolutely beautiful. The inspiration to have everyone add their own (His) “Light” was very creative and I suspect, it was a wonderful addition to the worship. I also love the water and mirror reflection table… Thank you for sharing it with the http://www...
Ive been contemplating a lot lately about ‘church’ and am still sorting things out. Church is no doubt about community… its not the building or the house, its the people. Unfortunatley, some people don’t know where to ‘find church’ except for the building/location.
If the church/community is to reach people, there needs to be relationships grounded in trust and with the permission to be vulnerable. Unfortunately some people are being drawn to God, but don’t have anyone building relationships with them… thus, they go looking for the building. In that sense, in this imperfect world, there remains is a broad need for differnet communities.
The challenge I think every generation continues to struggle with is how to reach those that are not being drawn to ‘church’ as it has been done. Things need to keep expanding, its time for growth in communities and for communities to reach out (individually and as a whole). The bottom line remains, if authentic relationships are to form it all starts with our character and our own willingness to be vulnerable in the process.
Are we reflecting Christ’s character and are we willing to take the steps necessary to build the relationships whether we are being called to do it in a home, in a building, next door, on the web, or on the street corner…? This remains a tension I believe within the body, possibly proportional to the willingness to take risks and step out in faith, and/or obedience to the call He gives us as individuals and as a community of faith.
No matter where it is or how it is, He follows us and is with us where ever He sends us.
…still thinking… still developing… what all this really means and looks like …
Nadine
ahhh, Ginny. The synchronicity of the Spirit is sweet. With your permission, I’d like to print out this post/associated artwork and share it with some from our newly birthed, very rough-hewn house church gathering. People we know are still getting the word about us gathering, and they are freaking out with excitement. This week we’ll focus on an experiential definition of why we gather. The log of your experience is great food for thought for those of us with the vision and imperative to obey God’s call for this “church”.
Two of my cul-de-sac neighbors are joining us, and at least two or three other families from around town. About 1/3 of us follow Jesus, and the rest are responding to the voice of the Spirit and seeking truth and love.
While I have read accounts of people doing “what you’re doing” in books and such, it means so much more to have a relationship with you and learn in your footsteps. Thanks for the privilege. When I met you at Origins, I had no idea that our walks would be so similar. I didn’t see what God had in mind, only heard him ask me to follow.
I love the collaborative artwork. My kids are working with an artist who is their piano/art teacher and she is teaching them to interact with their creations in this way, to let the music/art express and take on its own life. I’m going to show her the painting and let her read the story. It will encourage her, I know.
Michelle
thanks, michelle. use anything that serves.
a friend, eric, blogged a short one called ‘thirsty’ that is a wonderful description of what we’re created for.
another blog that might help is flawless vs falseless
to be honest, i really lost myself in the worship gathering. i was at peace.
when i read about Jesus’ telling us to ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’ that’s what we, as the church, should be doing. the thing of it is it needn’t be on a soap box on a street corner or from a big heavy pulpit. we can share the gospel with our lives while sipping a cup of coffee or sitting on a sofa in the home of a neighbor. i guess it’s about sharing life. it’s about God showing me that i can hear music in the voice of a friend. it’s about God teaching me that i can hear symphonies in the midst of a crowd of people. maybe, just maybe, God’s showing me that the colors He uses to paint the world can only really be seen in His light.
i found this article by dave drury blogged on monday about about their ‘home church’ and why they feel the way they do about ‘the gathering.’