Rediscovering Church

“Upon this Rock, I will build my church” (Matt 16:18). Church is defined as; n 1. A building for public worship 2. People who demonstrate their love for God by loving and serving others. Tabernacle in the Wilderness was a “type and shadow” metaphor of the Church that Jesus Built. No, the church is not perfect, but the designer is.
Angie pulls into the parking lot as she does every Monday night, but on this night she drives past her usual parking area and parks her car by the maintenance building. Walking back toward the church, she silently thanks God – again for the mechanics who volunteer their time & talent on Monday nights. While Angie attends the ministry for single mothers and her daughter attends a class for children of divorce, a grease smeared hero replaces her U-joints on her car. This is church
Peanut butter, Spaghetti, Baked beans, Powdered milk, Coffee, Cereal, Soup, Diapers, Shampoo, Toothpaste… Sue continues down the list, buying three of each item requested. The checkout clerk comments on her triplicate buying, but Sue just chuckles. On Sunday, Sue wraps the bags of groceries in garbage bags and leaves them on the pavement behind her car while she attends church. During service, volunteers gathers them all and stocks the food pantry for needy families. This is church
The young man weeps as he reveals a story of child hood abuse so cruel that its victim, his wife buried the memories in her subconscious mind for 15 years. But now the surfaced tormented memoires shattered the tranquility of their home till it is now threatening the security of their marriage. Both husband and wife are leaders but feel helpless. The husband sits alone in the middle of his peers. When he finishes his story, one man reaches out and tests his hand on his shoulder, while another grips his arm. Soon he’s wrapped in a corporate embrace. With passion they all begin to pray for over an hour while tears soak him with deep heartfelt love. This is church
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to guilt. Therefore is you are offering your gift before God and you remember that your brother has been wronged by you, leave your gift there and go to your brother and be reconciled, then come back to the altar and worship God.” You know what these words mean, the pastor asks? Can we honestly love God while we hold a grudge against someone? As he speaks the rustle begins in the pews. Within minutes hundreds have left their seats. Some are weeping with each other asking for forgiveness, while others kneel at the altar making things right. This is church
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to communion and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and did business, they gave to the ministry of need. Every day they continued to meet together in the church. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47) This is church