.This page is for comments and conversations based upon the article What Is Church?. Taking the time to think about how we use the word "church" -- whether it be a building, an organization, or the people of God -- can be life-changing as we begin to see the church as something of which we are a part rather than as something outside of ourselves. So don't be shy, join the conversation and tell us what you think!
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4 Comments
JA
3/20/2017 10:50:49 am
Is it possible for a church to exist without any ties to a building or facility? Could it meet randomly at parks, coffee shops, homes and other venues?
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3/26/2017 07:38:59 am
The article is addressed to people who are not born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is would not see 'the church' as a building. Anyone born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit is one with God and does not try to obtain His Kingdom by intellectual ascent. John said in his first epistle that true sheep have no need to be taught who God is and who we are because they have the Holy Spirit who teaches them everything and are anointed by Him.
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Brother Barnabas
3/27/2017 10:52:51 am
Good point. Spirit-filled believers who read their Bibles know that the church is the people. We felt it was necessary to bring this point to the forefront for two reasons: 1) It is foundational to our understanding to doing church Biblically and it needed to be clearly stated for those who don't have that understanding. 2) Many of us have that understanding theologically but in practice we fall into the habit of seeing the church as a building or organization that is outside of ourselves. For example, the church should do this or that.... Or, I wish the church were more traditional or modern.... Either way, we lose something when we don't see ourselves as a vital part of the church, a valuable member of the Body of Christ. What do others think? Is it important how we refer to the church or are we just splitting hairs and engaging in meaningless debate?
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Brother Barnabas
3/27/2017 10:56:39 am
You got it, JA! It is absolutely possible for a church to meet in a coffeeshop, park, hotel, or wherever. And while some people might think less of a church meeting in a building not there own, some church planters and pastors prefer to meet in a public place as the church is more visible to the public and the congregation really understands that the church is the people.
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