So Let's Talk Church - Step One
Ask 5 people to define 'church' for you. Just for fun, ask 5 more people who would think of themselves as Christians. Shoot, ask 10! Go ahead... I'll wait.
Our conversation about 'church' must start with a good definition. If you were to engage in my little exercise you would see that we are hurting for a thoroughgoing definition. You no doubt would hear answers having to do with buildings, programs, clergy, hierarchy, doctrines and evangelism. A few may hit closer by identifying the church as people, but follow up by asking, "So what identifies people as 'the church'?" and watch the haze set in. Go ahead... call them back. I'll wait.
Help us out. What are you hearing? What is the church as defined by the man (or woman) on the street? What is the church as defined by society? What is the church as is defined by the church? Will the real definition of the church please stand up? Click comments and jump in on this one. Once we narrow in on what the church is, then we'll send this thing into an all out firestorm by discussing what the church does.
Our conversation about 'church' must start with a good definition. If you were to engage in my little exercise you would see that we are hurting for a thoroughgoing definition. You no doubt would hear answers having to do with buildings, programs, clergy, hierarchy, doctrines and evangelism. A few may hit closer by identifying the church as people, but follow up by asking, "So what identifies people as 'the church'?" and watch the haze set in. Go ahead... call them back. I'll wait.
Help us out. What are you hearing? What is the church as defined by the man (or woman) on the street? What is the church as defined by society? What is the church as is defined by the church? Will the real definition of the church please stand up? Click comments and jump in on this one. Once we narrow in on what the church is, then we'll send this thing into an all out firestorm by discussing what the church does.
1 Comments:
One response I received today is that church is defined as "people"; living and dead followers of Christ;
By Jackie, at 11/03/2005 11:59 PM
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