Theology of the Church

Most Tuesdays around lunch time you can find me sitting around a table with a solid group of men discussing theology. We read some heavy hitters in the theological realm, men and women who are deeply challenging. Every six months or so we pick a new topic; I want us to find thought-provoking theology about the Church itself.

I have come to a conclusion: it doesn't exist.

Books about the Church are typically pragmatic in one way or another. They are typically church growth-centric, mission-centric, or some mix of the two. We need some fresh insight into what it means be the Church. There are so many confusing concepts floating around. The word 'church' has so much baggage and communicates so many different things that most can't accurately put their arms around what it means to be the Church.

Why is this?  Why do we struggle so much to get our hearts and minds around what it means to be the body of Christ, in all its facets?

As I continue work in Ypsilanti, launching a church planting movement, I am overwhelmed by the variety of ways to understand what it means to be the Church. It causes me to have so many questions. Questions I need to get answers to.

What questions you ask?

• What is the primary identity of "the Church"?


• What is the primary responsibility of "the Church" in the world?


• What is worship?


• Is there a proper form for worship?

This is just a sampling...Add yours in the comments.