The church is not a building–it is the body of Christ (fellow believers) who come together for one purpose: to strengthen their walk with Christ and reach others for him.

Are you being the church or are you going to church? 

When I was little, I thought “church” was place. A place where I went every Sunday and Wednesday.

A place where I was taught about Jesus and the stories of the Old Testament in Sunday School.

Church was a building, and it was full of church people.

Open the door, open the steeple.

But, as I grew older, I noticed there were churches other than just mine. There was the church down the road, the church down the next road, and the church on every corner.

Ha! I thought.

My church was the best, and all the other churches were in competition with us.

But I now know that church is not just a location.  It’s not an address on google maps.

And it should certainly not be in competition with one another.

So what is church, then?

Let’s dive into the book of Acts– the first formation of the gathering together of saints.

Here is a great article on the early church.

Acts- The First Church and The Fellowship of the Believers

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. 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 their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2: 42-47

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a]faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:4

Where does the term “church” come from?

When you study the bible, it’s important to research what the original words came from in their native Greek or Hebrew language.

Take the word “church” for example.  

Church was translated from the Old English word of: kirsche or in Scottish: kirk.

But if you go way back you will find that it was first called, “Ecclesia” which is defined by “an assembly of citizens.” An assembly of God’s people.

The gathering together of saints!

I’m blessed that some of my best friends are women of God.  We can get together & pray for one another, share our burdens, & share testimonies of what the Lord is doing in our lives.

To me, that is an example of the gathering together of saints.

That is an example of church!

I am not suggesting you no longer attend your local church on Sunday mornings, nor do I believe that hanging out with Christian friends means you shouldn’t serve or attend your local church.

We are the church.

You, me, and thousands of other believers throughout the world.

Are you being the church or are you going to church?

Are you being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around you?

Are you extending love and mercy to the waitress who forgot your food?

Are you blessing those who persecute you?

Are you forgiving your friends when they hurt you?

Are you reaching a hand out to your lost loved one?

Are you volunteering in your community?

Are you spending time with widows and orphans?

The church is God’s people who assemble together and teach about Jesus.

The church is not the building.

My fellow sister in Christ, I encourage you to think about church differently.

It’s not just a place, it’s what we are called to be to others—the hands and feet of Jesus.

Every believer that comes together for one purpose, to glorify and uplift Christ’s name and to reach others for him, is the church.

The church is the body of Christ, and that is who we are.