Be Church...

Previously, I wrote about my great frustration with the term "do church". So, if we don't use that term what should we use instead?

It all depends on what we're speaking of. If we want to talk about the corporate act of worship then let's say, "worship gathering". If we're talking about the people of God, then let's say, "church".

Why the distinction?

One reason is that language helps to shape culture. If we think of our Sunday worship gatherings as "church" then that will help determine our understanding of what it means to be the church. How so? If we think of "church" as Sunday worship then it frees us from being the church on Monday through Saturday. This understanding of "church" makes it so that our emphasis is Sunday mornings. In no way am I trying to lessen the importance of the Sunday worship gathering, but I am seeking to clarify our identity as the people of God. Our identity is not determined by a Sunday gathering,it is determined by being found in relationship with Jesus.

A second, is that the Scriptures do not equate the worship gathering to the "church". The "church" is the people of God. It is the called out ones who make up the Bride of Christ. We must understand that the church is first and foremost a being. Those who follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior, these people are the church. Neither a building, nor a worship gathering, are the "church", the people are the church. When we begin to understand this reality then we can start to understand that all of life is worship and that all of life is mission.

We must "be church" not "do church".