FROM THE PASTOR
What is Church?
When it comes to church, our starting point again is always Jesus Christ. The church of Jesus Christ is one, and there is one holy “catholic”/universal church. The church exists all over the world, wherever the Holy Spirit is at work through God’s word and sacraments. We can’t tell who the “members” of this church are, but the Lord knows who are his (John 10 and 2 Timothy). What is church? Let’s listen again to what Jesus, the head of the church says:
‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I, in the midst of them’ (Matthew 18:20).
At the heart of it, “church” is the coming together of people who trust in Jesus Christ: trust that God in Christ forgives their sins and blesses their lives, hears their prayers and gives them eternal life all because of what Jesus did in his living, dying and rising again to life. The minimum number is three; two people and Jesus Christ. For Christ is always present wherever even two of his own meet to speak to him, hear his word and receive grace.
The number one function of the church is worship, and worship is the central activity of the church as God’s people respond to what God has done for them. Flowing out of Christian worship are four main activities of the church: Fellowship; Discipleship-nurture; Ministry-service; Mission-evangelism. I won’t go into these here; this may be a series for another time. A lot more could be said about what church is, but a few things to think about in conclusion, so over this series (May – August):
Have there been any significant changes, or shifts in your:
Ideas? Beliefs? Attitudes?
Are there some questions, or areas of interest to explore further?
What does being a member of a church really mean?
(Putting it in Biblical terms; to be living stone in the temple of God?)
Jesus’ words are spot on, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not stand against it” (Matt 16:18). Jesus was not talking about a place or a building where people meet for worship. And Jesus didn’t mean some kind of human organisations we call church. The church of Jesus Christ is the community of all people who believe in him as ‘their’ Lord. In your own time please search the following key passages of scripture:
Matthew chapters 16-18; life within the church.
John 10:27–28
Romans 12:15
John 8:31–32
Acts 2:42 (basically the whole chapter)
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Ephesians 2:19-22
1 Peter 2:9
We Pray For:
† Leaders of the church, that their lives may provide an example of holy living for all Christians.
† Our state leaders, premier and parliament.
† Strangers, refugees, those in prison and those who are suffering for their beliefs.
† The poor and the physically disabled.
† All Christians, that we may welcome people into our homes and churches with hospitality.
When it comes to church, our starting point again is always Jesus Christ. The church of Jesus Christ is one, and there is one holy “catholic”/universal church. The church exists all over the world, wherever the Holy Spirit is at work through God’s word and sacraments. We can’t tell who the “members” of this church are, but the Lord knows who are his (John 10 and 2 Timothy). What is church? Let’s listen again to what Jesus, the head of the church says:
‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I, in the midst of them’ (Matthew 18:20).
At the heart of it, “church” is the coming together of people who trust in Jesus Christ: trust that God in Christ forgives their sins and blesses their lives, hears their prayers and gives them eternal life all because of what Jesus did in his living, dying and rising again to life. The minimum number is three; two people and Jesus Christ. For Christ is always present wherever even two of his own meet to speak to him, hear his word and receive grace.
The number one function of the church is worship, and worship is the central activity of the church as God’s people respond to what God has done for them. Flowing out of Christian worship are four main activities of the church: Fellowship; Discipleship-nurture; Ministry-service; Mission-evangelism. I won’t go into these here; this may be a series for another time. A lot more could be said about what church is, but a few things to think about in conclusion, so over this series (May – August):
Have there been any significant changes, or shifts in your:
Ideas? Beliefs? Attitudes?
Are there some questions, or areas of interest to explore further?
What does being a member of a church really mean?
(Putting it in Biblical terms; to be living stone in the temple of God?)
Jesus’ words are spot on, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not stand against it” (Matt 16:18). Jesus was not talking about a place or a building where people meet for worship. And Jesus didn’t mean some kind of human organisations we call church. The church of Jesus Christ is the community of all people who believe in him as ‘their’ Lord. In your own time please search the following key passages of scripture:
Matthew chapters 16-18; life within the church.
John 10:27–28
Romans 12:15
John 8:31–32
Acts 2:42 (basically the whole chapter)
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Ephesians 2:19-22
1 Peter 2:9
We Pray For:
† Leaders of the church, that their lives may provide an example of holy living for all Christians.
† Our state leaders, premier and parliament.
† Strangers, refugees, those in prison and those who are suffering for their beliefs.
† The poor and the physically disabled.
† All Christians, that we may welcome people into our homes and churches with hospitality.