The church is more than music and preaching. It is the physical and spiritual body of Christ on earth. It is a place to dedicate our children to God. A place where those eager to outwardly express what Christ is doing in them can be baptized. It is where the gifts of the spirit are corporately manifested.
The church is a place to disciple our children by teaching them the value of the word of God. It is a place where young adults discover the call and purpose God has for their life. It is a place where young adults may find love, get married and begin families.
The church is a place where the addict can be set free by the power of God. It is where former addicts find community and support. Where the lonely find friends and people handle battles of life together. It is the place where my drunk father found forgiveness.
Church is where sinners can find God’s grace and love. It is where discipleship takes place. It is a place where spiritual mothers and fathers speak into the lives of God’s children. And where the widow can find a family.
Church is where people of all ages and backgrounds find companionship. It is a place where the weary find rest and the despondent find peace. It is where people worship together and hell trembles when the church worships together.
The Church is what Christ came to build and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it. It is a place where saints can kneel with each other and pray them through to the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The church is where God’s children are encouraged and sustained in His word. It is not a place confined to four walls. Let the church arise and be the body of Christ inside and outside of our buildings. It is where the hungry are fed.
I love the church inside and outside of the building. The inside church is just as valuable as the outside church. We must not forsake one for the other. We must celebrate and revere the inside worship and the outside reach.
Crisis has forced us to reevaluate our the church as we know it. I have enjoyed our online services more than ever during this crisis but have also missed our inside corporate worship more than ever. I love the church that God is forming during this crisis. Both outside and inside the walls. Nourish each other, for together we are the body of Christ.
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