Quick… name five things when I say “church.”
When I’ve asked this in Sunday School classes over the years I’ve gotten some pretty good answers (kids are AWESOME!!!). I’ll bet you can guess the usual top answers: preacher, Bibles, VBS, choir, steeple, organ… you get the idea.
All of those are great things the church does or provides. But with the exception of the preacher, most of them are things we see — parts of the building or programs it offers. Don’t get me wrong, those are wonderful tools God uses to build His ministry. Still, Jesus gave a much simpler answer that didn’t involve any “things.”
He simply said, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
Wow. That kind of changes the picture, doesn’t it?
So… Norton (our choir director), when should I expect you over while I’m talking to my neighbor about Exodus 35 this afternoon? Norton’s awesome and may do it, but, I don’t think it works that way. (The HOA might have opinions anyway.)
My thinkin’ is: during the week we take part in little “mini churches” all the time — sharing the Gospel and encouraging each other wherever we are. And God still wants us to gather regularly with other believers. He even gave detailed instructions for building the first Tabernacle and made sure the people who had the skills showed up to do the work.
The building matters. But the building is just a building until the right people — Spirit-filled, willing, gathered in His name — are inside it.
Just a thought from a guy who’s driven by the Spirit to keep delivering an online observational ministry for those who can’t always walk through the doors every week… and who will still be hanging out in the CE wing most Sundays at his home church, Westminster by the Sea.
Bible Verses
Questions
How often do you find yourself in “mini churches” during the week??? What helps you remember that the Church is the people, not just the place???
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