What Church Is


 

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My church meets in a building… yep; a beautiful chapel built in 1856, but still a ChapelInterior building with walls and everything. I know that may not be cutting edge thinking (meeting inside a structure and calling it church) but it seems to me that a lot of life (at least here in America) happens inside buildings. Oh, I do realize that just because we are meeting inside a historically old chapel (however beautiful) doesn’t define us as a church. Also, does 158 years of people gathering together, in a building, guarantee our present day “churchness? Many of you are shaking your head no… and I would agree… it’s not about the building or the history.

It’s about Jesus

I serve (happily) as one of the under shepherds (under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus), with the title of pastor, which doesn’t define me completely either. In reality, I am a joint follower of Jesus Christ with about 60 other totally needy (and beautiful) folks. We’re a mixture of introverts and extraverts, creative and linear thinkers, men, women, children, all shapes and sizes…all extremely needy individuals.

We all need Jesus

To me that’s church, not the place, not the format, not how we do church…just people, needing Jesus together. This modern day ekklesia (assembly) is an organic expression of life with Jesus. Trying to express what He is doing in our lives and expressing our gratefulness (corporately and individually) for that work.

We need Jesus for that

We have some in our group needing the simplicity of sitting (even in a pew) and listening, quietly taking in truth and just as quietly, expressing what it means to them. There are others craving the dynamic give and take of interactive dialogue, with questions and thoughts expressing how His truth challenges them. Navigating these needs (and others in between) and allowing room for growth can be only accomplish by pursuing Him together…that’s where I see church happen.

We still need Jesus for that

My hand is really comfortable holding a pen but my foot (although capable) is not. And walking on my hands is extremely more difficult than the normal way of walking using foot power. Yet, when a hand uses things like a foot uses and a foot uses a thing like a hand uses, things can (besides sounding like a Dr. Seuss book) get interesting. We have tried new ways to make community and church more inviting and life changing…sometimes it’s a beautiful expression and sometimes not so much. But it’s not about trying to reinvent church…the Church doesn’t need reinventing…just our view of it sometimes.

Man, do we ever need Jesus for that!

A family, an army, a bride…just a few ways Christ describes His Church, each a powerful reminder of how diverse His expressions through a body of believers can be. How do we then teach and reach each other through that diversity? Can we “conspire” (breathe together) with one another and be the Church?

Yes, we need Jesus for that!

“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” Colossians 1:18

How do you see the Church and the body were you may gather with?

 

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Comments

Bill (cycleguy) said…
We have a man who is deeply involved in missions in Liberia. He is always talking about building a church, but he leaves off building, because that is what he is talking about. I cringe every time because it is just one more time the 'church is the building" is reinforced in peoples' minds. I make a distinction of not going to the church but to the office or church building. I believe strongly in the power of "the church" and its Master.
Jay Cookingham said…
Good thoughts brother, of course, you always have good thoughts! Bless ya!
floyd said…
The old adage from BIlly Sunday comes to mind, "Sitting in church doesn't make you anymore of a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car." Well done, sir.
Jay Cookingham said…
Amen to that...a friend of mine's Grandmother had a saying..."just because you put your slippers in the oven, don't make them biscuits!"

Thanks Bro'
Rick Dawson said…
We'll always need Jesus for that - and that, and that, and most definitely THAT! :)

Good stuff, Jay :)
Jay Cookingham said…
Need Him for everything! Amen! Thanks Rick for chiming in...appreciate that!
jasonS said…
Without Jesus, there is no Church. He is the origination and He is the completion! It's amazing how He fits and fashions us according to His will and for His glory. Thanks Jay.
Jay Cookingham said…
So true my brother...we need Jesus! Thanks Jason!

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