A Definition

An old definition of the church came back to me in these recent days.  It is not one I found in a book on church growth, nor does it have the polish of a theological statement.  It was one I wrote during the days when giving leadership to the church was mine to do.  For some reason it came back to me a day or so ago.  It is simple rather than profound.  "The church is a spiritual community centered on Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit."  It served me well back then and, as I recall, it found its way to the front of the church bulletin.   

It is important to remember that the church is a spiritual community.  Obviously, it is not a building, but more importantly the definition declares that the church is not what it has become in many places.  In many places the church has lost its sense of being a spiritual community and has, instead, become a religious institution which gives lip service to service while institutional maintenance and survival is its main business.  

Like the Kingdom of God the church as a spiritual community is both here and not yet here.  It is visible and yet also lives in an invisible realm still to be seen fully.  The word "community" has always seemed to be an appropriate way to speak of the body of Christ in the world.  The place of belonging which we seek is best experienced in this spiritual community which is described in the New Testament word "koinonia."  We may be members of many communities, but none can provide for the needs of our soul as does the spiritual community in which we experience a oneness with God.