What Is Church?

Good morning…

Last week a church friend for over twenty-five years sent me the following article. At first reading, I loved it. Over time, I began to wrestled with it. Now I invite you into my soul-searching question, “What is church?”

******

Excerpt from When Church Is Not Bound by Four Walls posted on August 16th, 2020

If church is defined as a “house of worship,” then I can’t think of a better house to worship God in than the mountains. I am awed by the grandeur of His handiwork and made small by His greatness. I believe we meet God best when our hearts are stilled, and we are humbled by His majesty and power.

I had church at the Maroon Bells of Colorado today.

Nature preached a sermon that echoed off rugged cliffs and into the valley below. “Grace upon grace,” murmured the bubbling streams that fed the still lake. “God with us,” whispered the shhhh-ing of the aspen leaves as the winds picked up their voices and scattered them upon the earth.

God with us. Grace.

Despite the turmoil of this world and the problems that seem unsolvable, God’s presence is still with us. His grace is still at work to draw us near and to let us hear and know and see the Almighty One. I believe that, but sometimes I forget it.

I’ve had church in many places: I’ve worshiped while washing dishes, I’ve met God at my mailbox, and my car is one of my favorite places to pray. Of course, gathering anywhere with other believers is church. I’ve had church in arenas with 10,000 people singing together. I’ve had church in the barn, where it smells like manure and hay and dust. I’ve experienced church in my living room, with an open Bible and a cup of coffee. Sometimes church comes when you can snatch a minute away from the busyness of regular life.

But the church I love best is in nature. It is here that I am face to face with the mystery — and mastery — of God Himself. Today, I sat in silence and watched the sunlight chase clouds over the mountain peaks and ignite the aspens with vivid color. There simply are no words that can capture the experience of it. I breathed in and closed my eyes and stilled my heart.

…This, my friends, is church.

This message was written by Rachel Anne Ridge, as published in the (in)courage Devotional Bible and the Summer (in) the Psalms Devotional Journal.

******

At first I loved the thought. Church in a mountainous sanctuary. Church amid the everyday dishes, mail, and car rides. Church in a packed arena, a dusty barn, a quiet living room. Then deeper questions arose.

If “this, my friends, is church,” then why do we need a church building?

God, what life-giving elements of my life am I missing as our church doors remain closed?

Isn’t there something uniquely different about the Christ-centered relationships grown between us as we sing, study, and serve together?

I feel God’s palpable presence regularly, in a variety of places, with many different people. Like Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20, AMP). There is sacredness in all parts of life, but somehow my soul senses that “church” – the living, active body of Christ – is substantially more than memorable mountain hikes, worshipping while washing dishes, praying in the car, and a beautifully holy building.

“What is church?” I think the pictures below begin to bring to life my personal answer.