The Church...

If you were to look up the word "church" in the dictionary, this would be the definition (for the most part):
1) A building used for public Christian worship
2) A particular Christian organization, typically one with its own clergy, buildings, and distinctive doctrines
While that definition may seem suitable to most people, it falls way short of God's intention.

The church in Scripture is referred to as the "Body" and "Bride" of Christ. The word was used to signify a group of believers who had come together through their faith in Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts we find that the "church" was in reality a community of believers. They cared for one another, shared with one another, had fellowship with one another, and worshiped together. The church is seen as an active, living, organism that didn't need a building to function.

When we take time to understand the biblical view of the church, we must carefully examine our own. How do we function as the body of Christ? What does the bride of Christ look like in the world? This is done much easier when you remove the building from the equation.

I realize that much of my writings about the church cast it in a negative light. My intention is not for you to look negatively upon church but to see how we have missed the mark. I don't believe that it was God's intention that His body of believers be regulated to schedules, a building, or a budget. I believe it was God's intention to have a community of believers who would advance the kingdom of God in the earth. This is the vision that we must reclaim. This is the mindset that we must recapture.

Here's how we do it:

#1 - We have to reclaim our identity in Christ. For far too long we have allowed the church to define us instead of allowing the church to be defined by us. God's Word is very clear on who we are in Christ. And who we are in Christ collectively is far more impressive, effective, and powerful than a building.

#2 - We have to get rid of the law. Jesus died to set us free from the burden and penalty of the law. We have a choice to make: Are we going to live in grace or are we going to live under the law. Religion is the product of the law. Relationship is the product of grace. I choose grace.

#3 - We have to get back to the biblical mindset that teaches us that everyone is gifted, everyone is capable, and everyone is necessary. All my life I have watched the church function predominately under one man's office and one man's gift. We must get back to a five-fold ministry approach where the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher equip the body for works of ministry.

#4 - We need to live what we believe. The old saying is still true: The reason most people don't want to have anything to do with church is because they have been there. The world has not been impressed with the show we put on every Sunday. They are looking for a faith that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

#5 - We need to start living out the Divine Nature within us. You do realize that Jesus died upon a cross and rose from the dead to give us a new nature don't you? He made it possible for all of us to have His nature. His Spirit living within us. His love loving through us. His words speaking through us. We should not be satisfied with anything less.

Pray with me that the church will find her God-given identity in the world. Pray that we will recapture His heart for the advancement of His kingdom. Pray that we will once again "turn the world upside down."