What/Who is the Church?

I have written on this subject several times. But today I feel led to address the subject of God’s church from the position of a pastor. A few weeks ago, I was asked to candidate for a small, two-hundred-year-old church. The church had been a member of the United Methodist denomination from its beginning, but separated about two years ago because of the decline of the Methodist denomination into apostasy. I am excited that God chose me to lead this flock of dear, God fearing, truth-seeking people. They epitomize the church God is seeking. They are hungry for His Word and willing to pick up their cross and carry on. They love the people of their community regardless of cultural positions.

My first sermon addressed the church in transition. The sermon was delivered to a congregation living in and through the transition. This congregation chose to be doers of the Word and not just hearers (James 1:22-25). They are living out what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called “religionless Christianity.”[i] When the Methodist “religion/denomination” decided to separate from God’s truth contained in the gospel, this congregation knew they had no place in that worldly position (John 17:14-15; Romans 12:2). They took the brave and bold step of David against Goliath and secured their freedom to worship according to the Bible.

God has taken His global church through many transitions. Adam and Eve had a great church. They walked and talked with God on a daily basis. He created that church with His own hands and taught them face-to-face. When the first church transition happened after the fall from grace, God did not forsake them. He made a blood covenant, the first blood spilled on this earth, and provided for atoning sacrifices to keep them under His protection. This first transformed church continued for hundreds/thousands of years until God met with Moses.

Through Moses, God instituted another church transformation. While atoning sacrifices were still required, God instructed Moses to build a mercy seat, the Ark of the Covenant, where He would come to reside among them. God was returning to that personal relationship. He wanted to be among His people once again. However, He couldn’t yet dwell among them without atoning sacrifices for their sin. Therefore, Christ was His plan from the beginning, and He was working that plan. What a lesson for today’s purposeful leaders in the church.

In Hosea 6:6, God telegraphed His plan. Over 700 years before Christ’s birth, He told the Israelites that He did not want sacrifices and burnt offerings; He wanted mercy. Christ repeated this in Matthew 9:13 when He reminded the Pharisees of this verse. He pointed out that if they knew their scripture better, they would understand His role and mission.

Christ unveiled the new church design to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:21-26). He told her that worship is not a location, a man, a building, or a denomination. Church resides in each one of us. We are to worship in Spirit and in truth. Spirit is the Holy Spirit sealing us at our salvation (John 1:13-14) and the Spirit of God that dwells with each of us who has accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 3:16). Truth is the Word of God (John 8:31-32; John 17:17). What a freeing truth we have in those words!

We are the church. It is up to us to enter culture, business, education, the media, and other spheres, and spread the good news of God’s love and salvation in Christ while leading organizations. We are extremely competent and skilled, and should take our positions in this world until Christ’s return (Luke 19:13). The church fell asleep and became lazy for a while. No longer. I encourage all pastors and church leaders to embrace the challenges that this world puts before us. Teach the Word, God’s truth. Don’t compromise and normalize abortion, anti-Biblical positions, LGBTQ deviancy, etc. Instead, teach God’s love. We are to love those who oppose us and teach them. We do not hate LGBTQ, abortionists, those who have had abortions, or anyone who opposes us. We love them but can’t accept their sin. We love them enough to tell of God’s love and His rescue in Christ. What they do with that information is up to them. We are not dominionists, racists, or bigots as we are accused of being. We are, however, the church of the God Most High, our Creator and Sustainer. Keep spreading the Truth!

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[i] Metaxas. E. (2024) Religionless Christianity: God’s Answer to Evil. Regency Faith Books.