Good morning…
Photos like the one above capture a different day in time, when we could gather, meet up close, connect face to face as the body of Christ. As we consider what it means to “be the church” when many church buildings remain closed due to COVID, we wrestled with an important question posed in yesterday’s post, “What Is Church?”
Responses rolled in. Here are a few.
- “Funny…you always give me what I seem to need. I, too, have been wrestling with this ‘church’ concept ever since we haven’t been able to go. Especially on Sundays.”
- “I agree with you sweet friend, I can do church in many places, but how can we learn to see God in all places without learning from sermons, teachers, bible study leaders and group discussions? Most necessary in all of these meetings is God’s actual Words. God speaks to me in His Word and uses His Words in nature and songs! If I did not know God through His Word, I am not sure I could truly know Him. All the children and others held home from church are missing that part. ♥️?? “
- “I really liked how you shared your thoughts on ‘church,’ Sue. To me, church is about community – the ‘body’ of Christ and all its parts. It’s about communing! Not just with God but with others – not about a building, but about human connection in the body. With many church doors still closed, we are finding new ways to creatively commune with the people who bring God alive for us. I certainly see God in nature and the beauty of our surroundings, and I am so thankful He speaks to me in all of His creation – but I think church is people – woven together by one single thread – the love of Jesus.”
- “Here is my view this Sunday morning. I spend a lot of time in nature communing with God, but I consider this prayer, not church.”
“God is everywhere!” one of you wrote. “He is an amazing awesome God and shows up where we are. I pray my eyes, ears, heart and arms will always open. Happy church!” Then she turned me on to Maren Morris’s song My Church.
As we touch on the link below, notice with me what you notice about your expanding notion of church. Who might God be taking to church in unorthodox ways as buildings remain closed? Might God be finding new ways to pickup passengers in need? Singing along to this catchy song, what do we learn about the Holy Ghost running through us?
The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board. This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message (Ephesians 3:6-7, MSG).
…Sue…
P.S. The opening church photo is shared by Sincerely Media from Port Elizabeth, South Africa on Unsplash
