What the church isn't

In the March issue of ec, we spent a lot of time talking about what the church is supposed to be. If you don't know what we're talking about, check out Amanda Jensen's "Here is the church" cover story on page 27. After you read that, you'll know what the church is supposed to be, but what about what it isn't?

Here are a few things church is NOT:
An event: something you do once a week and then go home. Believers are the church. It’s part of who you are 24/7.

A club: You’re probably part of a local church and some of your friends may also go there. It’s natural to have those relationships, but don’t let them become cliques. Let the Holy Spirit open your eyes to those you need to serve.

All about you: Or even necessarily all FOR you. It’s easy to think of church as only about you, meeting your needs and making you feel good. But that’s not biblical. Church is about worship (focusing on God and what He has done through Jesus) and reaching those who are lost.

A location: Scripture is clear that the church are those who are united as followers of Christ. Your church meets in your building. Your church is the people and your church goes out into the world and says something about Jesus by the way you live your lives. What is your life saying? What is the lives of those within your church saying?

About protection: The church isn't some place where believers can go to protect themselves from the big, bad world. Instead, the church is the place and the people who help you prepare and encourage you to minister to the big, bad world. Church isn't about cutting ourselves off from the world; it's about coming together to find a way to reach that world through Christ.

Scripture is clear that the church is the way God has chosen to further His kingdom and declare the gospel message until Jesus returns. Be the church and do the work God has called us to.