What is Church II

Last time I gave a possible definition of church. Now to unpack ... 

... a group of people who interact together 

Jesus gathered people together intentionally. We are made for relationships, with God and with one another. We must recognise the handicap that Western individualism gives us in this respect. 

to learn how ... 

the church is provisional, non-static, ever renewing, revitalising, anticipating the greater that is to come. This side of eternity it has never arrived. 

to echo back to God ... 

made in God's image we are to reflect His glory, to follow His ways. This will include worship along with ... 

and the wider world ... 

drawing others to God as well. Fuzzy boundaries are likely as the group not only points to salvation by its existence, but by what it is and does as well. 

... the 'Yes' that He has already spoken to us. 

It is all God's initiative. We bring nothing to the party, except that which He has already given us. Joining in, we find ourselves part of God's mission purposes - God reaching into our lives and the lives of others. We thus find we are not only believers but also His executives in a world of need.

Now that is what I call church!