When the church is not the church

The English word “church” is translated from the Greek, ekklesia which literally means “the called out ones” (ek – out and klesis – calling) and was used to describe an assembly or a lawful assembly. Applied spiritually, ekklesia is “the called out of” - that is, the saved who are called out of the word (John. 17).
• “Church” (ekklesia) is used to denote all those who are in Christ without any particular geographic designation (Matt 16:18), as well as groups of followers in a particular geographic area (1 Cor.1:2).
• “Church” used universally (all the saved) is always used in the singular.
• “Churches,” plural, refers to a number of local churches, the groups of called out ones in various areas. For example when Paul wrote, “... the churches of Christ salute you” (Rom. 16:16).
• “Church” is applied to the gathering or assembly of God’s people (1 Cor 14:19).
• “Church” denotes those followers who have connected together and have the full development as far as organization is concerned (Acts 14:23).
• The local church, when fully organized has elders and deacons (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1-13).

I’ve been noticing people’s use of the word “church” recently. I’m aware that although the definition of a word determines its usage in language, the reverse can also be true: the contextual usage of a word can actually influence and change its meaning.

Annette (my wife) was driving with Kate (8) and Thomas (4) in the back seat of the car recently. Thomas had his teddy (Fred) and Fred was eating everything they drove past. “Fred is eating the tree,” “Fred is eating the car,” “Fred is eating the church” to which Kate spoke up and said, “That’s not the church, the church is people, not a building.”

“Church” is used 115 times in the Greek New Testament, however, it never refers to the building in which the church meets. Yet, our use of the word “church” can lead us to this conclusion. I hear people saying things like, “we’re going to church,” “we’re having a working bee at the church,” “the board meeting will be at the church.” While I understand that what most people mean is “the building where the church meets,” it subtly draws us away from the true meaning of the church as the people of God, (followers of Jesus) gathering to encourage and serve each other and then going out to share and demonstrate the Gospel.

I also hear people saying, “after church let’s go out to lunch” or “I like some quiet reflection time before church starts” this use of “church” focuses on the gathering of people or “the service.” Although the gathering of God’s people is vital, it is only one aspect of being the church and in my view is secondary to the going purpose. We gather to encourage each other, serve each other, learn from each other, recommit ourselves to each other, be accountable to each other, worship God together and pray for each other so that each person can be better equipped to live out their faith as they go out to their various homes, workplaces, schools and communities.

I asked my class at Kingsley College last year the following question: If there are two groups of 20 people and one is a church and one is not, what makes the church a church?
We summarised the list to the following: The church is
• Committed to following Jesus Christ in faith and action
• Committed to serving each other and building each other up using their gifts
• Committed to being accountable to each other and to grow in love for God and others
• Committed to gathering regularly and sharing in worship and relationship
• Committed to share in mission together and be witnesses of the Gospel message in all areas of their lives.
Michael Frost asks a similar question in his book Exiles . He asks “when is a bunch actually a church?” He proposes the following four requirements: Trinitarian Theology, Covenantal Expression, Catholic Orientation, and Missional Intent.
In the Church of England report, Mission Shaped Church, they summarise the five values of the church as: 1) focused on God the trinity, 2) incarnational, 3) transformational, 4) disciple making and 5) relational .

Our usage of the word “church” ought to be as a verb. That is we do church and be the church, rather than as a noun, we go to church (meeting) or we clean the church (building).

My observation is that churches can easily become preoccupied with the noun definitions of church. Time and energy is consumed on buildings (or raising money for buildings) or on the gathering (service) to the point that no time or energy is left for the primary purpose of the church which is living missionally in our communities with the support and accountability of the church.

Lentil as Anything

Tonight (or more correctly - this afternoon) Mimos gathered at Lentil as Anything in Abbottsford. Lentil as Anything is a restaurant that serves organic, vegetarian meals in a homely and relaxing environment. The unique aspect of Lentil as Anything is that there are no prices on the menu. As their website quotes, "We embody a philosophy that challenges and defies our money driven consumerist society. Our philosophy of "no set prices" is a social experiment that encourages people to have an internal conversation with their conscience and their own ethics. You choose what you feel is an appropriate amount to pay for the food and service provided." So after you've finished the meal you put whatever you consider the meal and the experience to be worth in a box on the counter.
There were about 20 of us who gathered for an early dinner. We couldn't do a large group discussion but we chatted with the people around us and caught up with what each of us had been doing since we last gathered together.

What Type of Cheese are You?

Cheese Test: What type of cheese are you?

New Additions to the Dobson Home

Yesterday we took a trip out to Coldstream with the intention of adopting a kitten from the Victorian Animal Aid - but we got two. Reginald (Reggy) a male grey tabby and Taffeta (Taffy) a female calico. They've settled into the family really well. Taffy is a bit shy and has taken some time to warm up to us all but Reggy is full of beans and very curious. They love playing with each other - which is why we got two. They're both curled up on the rug next to my desk as I type.
Lots more of Taffy and Reggy to come.

The Lads

One of my favourite bands - The Lads - have recently released their new studio album called simply - The Lads.
There is a combination of some of the Lads classics and some new tracks.
Genuine edgy rock with a hint of humour make the Lads a great live act. I saw them first at a Youth Alive event in Melbourne about 4 years ago and got hooked.
They're in Australia this weekend for the Australian Gospel Music Festival - pity it's in Toowoomba - not that there's anything wrong with Toowoomba - it's just a long way from Melbourne.
I'll leave you with the lyrics from a Lads classic - Beetroot Stain

(V1)
I thought I was a loser
That I wasn’t good enough
I could not see how You could care about me
Or how I could deserve Your love

(V2)
But You, You specialise in comebacks
And over time You’ve made me see
That even though I may not be perfect
You will not give up on me

(CH)
Your love, love is like a beetroot stain
That never ever goes away from me
Your love, Your love is with me everyday
I know Your love is here to stay with me

(V3)
Things can get a bit confusing
But there’s one thing that I know
That You will stay, You really care about me
And You will never let me go

What's Your Theological Worldview

I remembered doing this online quiz a few years ago.
I came out as expected as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan - phew
You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan		82%
Neo orthodox		61%
Reformed Evangelical		61%
Roman Catholic		57%
Emergent/Postmodern		57%
Fundamentalist		50%
Charismatic/Pentecostal		32%
Classical Liberal		32%
Modern Liberal		25%

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

Holiday Photos

Thomas, Matt and Kate jumping waves at the Sorrento back beach
Waiting for the ferry to take us from Sorrento to Queenscliff and back again.
Aboard the ferry on the way to Queenscliff
Wesleyan church in Queenscliff - now a bookstore.
Getting tangled in the rope puzzle at Arthur's Seat Maze
My achievement for the week was to complete two 1000 piece puzzles. Originally bought for the kids but a little too difficult for them yet - do you think I was sick of seeing brown after doing the bears!!!!