Jesus died so that we might have abundance of stuff……

Can’t help but think that some Christians inadvertently fall into defining the “stuff” of church as the point – a building, chairs, a style of music, a live preacher, trendy videos, etc.  Here’s the issue – what is church?  Is church a group?  Is church a place?  Is church a building?  I think the answer to the question, “What is the church?” is simple – the church is people.

Jesus Christ came to die to save people from their sins and return them to right standing with His heavenly Father.  Now, we are the body of Christ (the church) and He is returning to set the world in order and take us to our eternal destiny.

So, now that we agree on what “church” really is, what of the other stuff is up for negotiation?  EVERYTHING.  Yes, you heard me – EVERYTHING.  Can a group meet under a tree, worship God (I said nothing about singing) and call that church?  Yes.  Can a group meet in a school, have some musical worship, play a video and call that church? Yes.  Can a group of believers meet, sing traditional hymns in a stained glass building and call that church? Yes.  What is common thread?

1. People

2. The pursuit of the Presence of God

It saddens me to see the vigor with which Christians (who, incidentally, are the experts on everything under the sun) cling to their perception of “church” and miss out on the power of the statements I just made.  Hear me

YOU are the temple of the Holy Spirit

YOU are the reason Jesus died

YOU are His hands and feet spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God and it’s forceful advance