For the past couple of weeks I have loved experiencing shared conversations, wrestling truths, laughter so hard it requires some physical expression, thought provoking “hmmm’z”, singing with 1500 strangers, connections fostered through great blog hearts….the list goes on. I have walked away from many of those moments saying, “that was some great church.”
This idea of church has my thoughts marinating on what great church is. I could tell you a million different ways I have experience God in “church,: but less then half of those experiences would have to do with being in a church building.
In the bible, Jesus describes our bodies as being the temple of the holy spirit. Yes, this verse is used in a different context, but I also think it can apply to the concept of church. We are carriers of his holy spirit. So it makes sense that where “two or three are gathered together, there he is with them.” Church!
I value having a building to attend to experience church. I am so grateful for all the ways I have known God more by “going to church.” But I am even more grateful that Church is not bound by walls or program. Church is so much more.
So here is are my ponder questions…
– How do you define church?
– What is your ideal church?
mughrumphhhhh. <–[[sound effect]]
definition: somehow taking part in "kingdom living," somewhere. through any means. fellowship, worship, conversation, love, whatev.
ideal: perfect unity with Christ. heaven. deep fellowship with others. communication. love. growth. challenge. acceptance.
a.k.a. not anything i'm in now. not anything i'm a part of. not anything i'm feeling now.
but the glimpses of truth, fellowship, church, and love are beautiful.
i'm really stuck on the "in his name" part of "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Church is a place of worship. But church isn't God's name. God is so much more than that. true fellowship means a more intense living in him, in his infinite love.
it's good to realize that even though i don't have the church/fellowship part, i still have God. and that's what really matters.
You are so right on the God’s name part!! you’ve some great wisdom in your depth of insight friend! I hope you are able to experience more life in your “church.” i’ll be praying!
yeah, i like this…..
define: certainly not what I always thought it was when I was growing up. it’s more than the typical image conjured up in most minds upon hearing the word “church”. It is reverence before the Lord, an opportunity to truly magnify Him and where i go for discipleship. Church is the highlight of my week…in fact every time I go to church, it is where I want to be more than anywhere else.
ideal: a place of worship where THE focus of that worship IS Jesus; where the Word of God is central. My ideal church is one that advances “on it’s knees” as my Pastor says. The ideal church brings it; where I am dealt with and stretched and grown and sanctified….little by little. It’s where I am now. [all praise to Jesus for bringing me here – and it’s an hour drive from where I live!]
Linda,
I love you ideal church!! seems so simple, a duh statement that a place of church would be centered on Christ and his word. I am sad that more “churches” do not reflect this core value. I hope are part of Church where you get that. I love the way you described the “on it’s knees” part. I want to be a person who leads like that. Thank you for your thoughts!
I could have tried to pontificate on the “HOW”… but I really don’t think I could do better than Coop’s answer above!
Amen to that.
Hey – first time! Came over from Tam’s Pimp Your Post today!
Hey Bajanpoet, Thanks for coming over and checking out my blog!!
Coop does have great ideas! check out her blog as well.
I’mma check out Tam’s blog now!! haha. great title.
Wait.. no… actually lol wrong recommendation… I came over from Alece’s post lol I’ve been blogging for a little too long.. sorry rofl :D
sometimes church looks like me, my journal, my Bible, and some worship tunes on a starbucks couch.
sometimes it looks like watching a service online from my bed. in my pjs….
sometimes it looks like worshiping live with a crowd of people, with the music so loud i can’t hear myself sing.
sometimes it looks like my blog.
and sometimes it looks like the everything and nothing i have with a friend who pushes me closer to Him.
it definitely looks like your blog! i love that church! I like being a part of your ways of church. “thank you”
this will sound lame, but I’ve never watched a virtual service on line before…. any recommendations?
you can go to church “with” me if you want! just go here on sunday night at 6 — http://northpointonline.tv/
I agree with Alece. Buckhead online is awesome!!
The church needs to be ‘provocative’.
“Christians are not just meant to try to do good, be nice and help the world work a little better. They are instead to act as signposts to another order, another way of life, another kingdom which can only be glimpsed in this world, but has not yet arrived completely’ http://about.metrowest.cc/?p=112
but not yet arrived completely. i like how you said that. What church is metro west? what is metro like?