Using Words
Often, we talk about how we use words. So, for instance, many people will say, “We don’t go to church; we are the church.”
But, one of the first things we often ask other believers is this: “Where do you go to church?”
If we ask that question, aren’t we perpetuating the idea that “church” is a place you go?
So, what question should we be asking?
Re-defining the church
The discussion about the church is ongoing… and probably always will be… and that’s good thing. We should constantly consider who we are in Christ and what that means to how we live with other believers and how we interact with those who are not believers. Two years ago, I wrote a blog post called “Re-defining the church.” In that post, I suggested that we’re having trouble “defining” the church today because we’re focusing on the wrong things. Here’s the post:
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This is not an article about the scriptural definition of the church. Instead, it is about how our terminology and use of words has worked in such a way as to re-define our understanding of church. I mean “re-define” in the sense of defining church in a manner that is not consistent with the description of the church that we see in Scripture.
What kinds of terms and words am I talking about? Well, there are many. And, I’ll list a few later. But for now, when you read about the church, when you watch television programs that discuss the church, when you see churches arguing and fighting to the point of splitting, when you see Christians talking about important aspects of the church, what terms and phrases are used? What concepts concerning “church” are important to believers today as demonstrated by their conversations and writings?
I would suggest that many times you will see believers talking about these things in relation to the church: church buildings, church covenants, church constitutions, Bible study programs, discipleship programs, children’s programs, youth programs, church budgets, leadership strategies, church vision, church mission statements, hiring and firing staff, music styles, use of instruments, use of technology, pews or chairs, expository vs. topical vs. thematic preaching, accountability groups, invitations, education, church membership, local church, senior pastors, associate pastors, …
The list could go on and on… These are the things that are important to many believers today when it comes to church. But, all of these items have one thing in common: Scripture does not mention these items in association with the church.
What we (in general) consider important to the church, Scripture does not indicate is important to the church. (At least, if it is important, we must ask why we do not find it in Scripture.)
Could it be that we are struggling to understand what it means to be the church because we are focusing on issues that are not important to being the church? Could it be that we are spending so much time searching Scripture for the implications of our priorities that we miss God’s priorities which are explicit in Scripture?
Another question about defining the church
so, this afternoon, inspired by our earlier conversation, I started talking with a couple of brothers about another question related to defining the church – or answering the question “what is a church”.
If five people are regularly in the same place at the same time once per week, but those five people never see one another, much less speak to or interact with one another, are those five people church together? What would your answer be if the place was a restaurant? What would your answer be if the place was a building set aside for church meetings? Would your answer be different in those two situations? Why or why not?
Considering identity and function of the church
I’m enjoying the discussion on my post “Church in a coffee shop.” We’re discussion identity and function as it relates to the church. We’re also talking about intentionality.
Sometimes its difficult to separate these issues. Can we separate the identity (being) of the church from the function (doing) of the church? Would a group of people need to intentionally recognize themselves as the church in order to be a church?
If you’re interested in these questions, jump over to my post “Church in a coffee shop” and join in the discussion.
Church in a coffee shop
There is alot of discussion (both on this blog, in “real life”, and other places) about what constitutes a church. The lines are often blurred along the distinctions of identity, function, etc. Of course, as in all of these kinds of cases, evidence from Scripture, history, tradition, experience, reason, etc. are usually tossed and mixed together and filtered to come with the “right” answer.
But, still the talk continues. I’m still thinking about the identity of the church, and I’m hoping to start a good discussion with a simple example.
So, assume there is a group of people who meet together regularly at a local coffee shop.
Can this group of people be a church? Why or why not? Besides a group meeting together regularly, what else would be required for this to be a church? What is the basis of your conclusion?
Defining and Describing the Church
I read two good descriptions/definitions of the church this morning:
The first was from Guy at “the M blog” in his post “Definitions of church“:
A New Testament church is a small local gathering of believers usually meeting in homes. They are knitted together as a spiritual family with Christ as Head. Everyone contributes towards mutual edification out of what has been given to them by the Lord. Churches are characterized by their devotion to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. The environment is one where everyone is stimulated to love one another and do good deeds as they encourage one another to obey all the commands of Christ.
The second came from Frank at “Reimagining Church” in his post “Church Defined & My Favorite Resurrection Song“:
Rightly conceived, the church is a local group of people who have been immersed and saturated with a magnificent vision of Jesus Christ and who are discovering how to take Him as their All together and bring Him to the world.
The church of Jesus Christ expressed locally is a group of people who are learning how to live by Divine life together and how to display that life together. “Christ in you, the hope of glory†. . . “Christ our Life.â€
What do you think?
Answers to Questions
I wrote the post “Answers to Questions” about three years ago in response to my first blogiversary post. I thought it would be interesting to re-post it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my “answers.”
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Last week, I celebrated my first anniversary of blogging. In my blogiversary post, I listed some of the questions that I have been researching – questions that I asked a year ago in a post called “Questions“:
- What is the church (essence, nature, purpose, etc.)?
- When does a group of people become a church?
- Is one church dependent, independent, or interdependent on other groups?
- What is the purpose of the gathering of the church?
- How are the various spiritual gifts exercised in the meeting of the church?
- What is the nature of church leadership?
- How should church leaders interact with others in the church?
My friend Ed – also known as tenjuices, one of the many members of the blogless tribe, though we are trying to convert him – asked me (in the comments of the blogiversary post) if I had any answers to my questions. I promised that I would share the answers that I have discovered so far. These are not full answers, but summaries. My study is continuing. I would love to hear how others would answer these questions. One thing about these questions/answers. I do not study for the academic value. I study to know how to live in a way that pleases God. So, I have tried to implement many of these “answers” in the way that I live. These are my answers… so far:
1. What is the church (essence, nature, purpose, etc.)?
This is a huge question. In fact, I have tossed around the idea of making this the subject of my Ph.D. dissertation. I don’t think I’m going to, because the topic is probably even too big for that.
The church is the people of God. Period. God gathers his people regularly. This is important to me. The church is not the people who choose to gather together. The church will gather together, but the church cannot be defined by its meetings.
The church exists to bring glory to God and to demonstrate God’s glory. This happens in many ways. When the church is gathered, the church brings glory to God by building up one another toward maturity in Christ.
2. When does a group of people become a church?
Again, this is another tough question. I do not know exactly “when” a group becomes a church. I do not believe that a group of people can decide for themselves to be a church. Either God brings them together or He does not. I do believe that believers should treat one another (and non-believers) the same at all times.
3. Is one church dependent, independent, or interdependent on other groups?
I find very little indication in Scripture that churches are independent. Churches depend on God and, therefore, should depend on one another because God works through different parts of His church to strengthen the church. I prefer the term “interdependent” to describe how churches should relate to one another. Churches are interdependent because all believers are dependent on God and are part of the same family.
4. What is the purpose of the gathering of the church?
Okay. This is one question that I think I can answer – though some may disagree. The church gathers together in order to edify (build up) one another toward maturity in Christ.
5. How are the various spiritual gifts exercised in the meeting of the church?
This is also something that I have studied. I think 1 Corinthians 12-14 – taken together, not just a verse here or there – is important to answering this question. 1) Realize that all gifts are given by the Spirit for the mutual benefit of others. 2) Recognize that the church needs every gift that God has provided through every believer. 3) Act as if those believers and gifts who seem less necessary are actually more important. 4) Say and do everything motivated by love for God and love for one another. 5) When the church is gathered, believers should only exercise those gifts that build up the church. 6) Give preference in exercising gifts to another person. 7) Allow the entire church the opportunity to exercise their gifts.
6. What is the nature of church leadership?
According to Jesus, leaders are servants. Leaders should be known as servants of all, not decision makers or power brokers. Believers should follow those who are good examples of following Christ and who serve others.
7. How should church leaders interact with others in the church?
Leaders are believers. They are part of the church and should be treated like all other parts of the church. They are not more important nor less important. They have responsibilities like the other believers in the church have responsibilities.
Summary
I enjoy asking questions. Sometimes, just asking the question is an important first step. You may not agree with some of these answers. First, I would love to hear how you would answer the questions. In your answer, I hope that you will give a scriptural defense. I know that I have not quoted Scripture here, but that is only for brevity. I try to build all of my answers (and questions) from Scripture. Second, please be gentle and patient with me and with others as we seek to understand what God is teaching about the church.
Also, perhaps you have other questions about the church. I hope you will share those with us as well.
Sanctification and the Church Meeting
In my previous post “Justification and the Church Meeting,” I discussed how the doctrine of justification should intersect our ecclesiology (the study of the church) and even influence how we act when the church gathers together. Today, I want to think about a similar doctrine: sanctification.
There are two ways to understand sanctification which are somewhat related. “Sanctification” refers to the idea that some things have been set apart for God. “Sanctify” is the verbal form of the nouns “holy” and “saints.” Thus, in a very real way, we are sanctified (i.e. set apart) when we are justified.
This is not a unique concept for Christianity. Almost all religions include the concept of some things being “set apart” for their god or gods.
Most of the New Testament passages that include the language of “sanctification” refer to it in this sense – that is, as something that has already been set apart:
You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred [i.e., sanctified]? (Matthew 23:17 ESV)
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32 ESV)
But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:15-16 ESV)
Both the one who makes men holy [i.e., sanctifies] and those who are made holy [i.e., sanctified] are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:11 ESV)
In these instances, the term “sanctification” is very similar to the term “justification.”
However, the term “sanctification” is typically used today to refer to the process of discipleship, growth, or maturity. In this sense, the term refers less to our identity, that to the process of living according to that identity. There are a few places in Scripture that use the term in this sense:
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy [i.e., sanctified], useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21 ESV)
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:12-14 ESV)
Since I have already discussed the relationship of justification to the church meeting, in this post I want to consider the relationship of the process of sanctification (discipleship, growth, or maturity) to the church meeting.
First, as I said in the previous post, a certain level of sanctification is not necessary for someone to take part in the church meeting. The person who is justified is also indwelled and gifted by the Spirit and thus has everything necessary to take part in a church meeting.
Second, we should recognize that sanctification is the goal of the church meeting. We meet together in order to help one another grow in maturity in Christ Jesus. This is a community activity (many believers speaking and serving together) with community growth as the goal (many believers being “sanctified” in the sense of being discipled).
Obviously, we can grow in maturity on our own when we are not meeting with the church. Thus, we can be sanctified in this sense without anyone else around. But, when the church gathers together, we are no longer only concerned about our own personal growth; we are concerned about the growth (sanctification) of the entire church. We recognize that we grow in maturity as the church grows in maturity.
This type of community sanctification is what the author of Hebrews had in mind when he wrote:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
In Hebrews, the concept of “encouragement” is very similar to (if not synonymous with) “sanctification.” For the author of Hebrews, “encouragement” includes moving away from undesirable actions and thoughts (see Hebrew 3:13 for an example) and moving toward desirable actions and thoughts (such as “love and good works” in Hebrews 10:24). Thus, the act of “encouragement” leads to our sanctification, that is, our mutual growth in maturity towards Christ as our goal.
Thus, when we meet together, we don’t rely solely on the “most sanctified” or “most discipled”. Instead, any who are justified can help the church. However, our goal is mutual sanctification… seeing the church as a whole growing toward living the life that Christ modeled for us.
Justification and the Church Meeting
As I’ve been studying ecclesiology (the study of the church), especially the church meeting in Scripture, I’ve found that our understanding of the church touches – and often demonstrates – our understanding of other scriptural teachings (doctrine).
For example, our understanding of God as Father, Son, and Spirit will affect the way we think about the church. In other words, it is impossible to separate the various teachings of Scripture from one another.
In this post, I would like to consider the doctrine of justification and how it affects our understanding of the church and especially the church meeting.
The doctrine of justification is a way to express the scriptural teaching that some are made right (justified) with God. Here are a few passages that deal with this concept:
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:21-25 ESV)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV)
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7 ESV)
Now, there is much talk in the church about justification. Who is justified? How are they justified? How are faith and works related in justification? And many other questions. But, in this post, I’d like us to consider the concept of justification and it’s relationship to the church.
Those who are justified – who are made right with God – are also filled with the Holy Spirit. They are recognized by God as part of his family… children of God and brothers and sisters of one another. Those who are justified gather together with others who are justified, not because they are ordered or commanded to do so, but because their recognize their dependence on God and their relationship to one another. Just as a physical family desires to be together, God’s family wants to gather together as well.
The church meeting then – by definition – is primarily for those who are justified, who are children of God. This does not mean that others are excluded from the church meeting, but that the church meeting is not specifically for them. The church meeting is for the church – for those who are God’s children, who are justified.
Similarly, as the Scripture passages above indicate, we are made right with God by the work of the Holy Spirit. We are not only justified, we are also indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Again, the Scriptures indicate that all who have been baptized (indwelled by) the Holy Spirit are members of one another. They are also given gifts by the Spirit. Thus, the Spirit works through those who are justified.
As we gather together with brothers and sisters in Christ – i.e., those who are justified and are part of God’s family – we also recognize that each one of us have been gifted by the Spirit. In the context of the church meeting, the Spirit gifts people so that they can benefit others. This is not true of only some who are justified, but of all who are justified.
Notice that we have not discussed the idea of sanctification at all (that will be my next post). Neither growth nor maturity are a requirement for someone to be indwelled by the Spirit and gifted by the Spirit.
So, as we meet together, drawn together by our common relationship to one another through God and drawn together by the Spirit who indwells each of us, we recognize each other as brothers and sisters based on our common justification by God through Jesus Christ, not based on what any one of us has said or done or failed to say or do in the past. Similarly, we come together recognizing that just as the Spirit has indwelled each of us, he also desires to use each of us for the benefit of the entire group.
So, our understanding of justification greatly affects how we treat one another when the church meets. Similarly, how we treat one another when the church meets demonstrates what we truly believe about justification.
A couple of things to think about
The church is not a place for people to hear the gospel, but a people who have been changed by the gospel.
If a pastor (or other leader) is “doing the work of 2-3 people,” then others are not doing their part, and the church will not grow as it should (regardless of how great the pastor or leader may be at doing stuff). The growth of the church is not dependent on pastors doing everything (or even most things) great, but on all believers doing their part.
If you are not spending time (intimately) with people taking care of their needs and helping them grow in maturity, then you are not a pastor, regardless of what your title may be. If you are spending time (intimately) with people taking care of their needs and helping them grow in maturity, then you are a pastor, regardless of what your title may not be.