Let’s talk church for a few minutes…
The early church begged, borrowed and stole things from many different cultures. For example much of what we do today in liturgy – comes from our Hebrew sisters and brothers.
We borrowed from their liturgy, prayers, readings, songs and a liturgical format.
Two lessons – on a weekly basis are still from the Hebrew Bible alone. The First reading is always from the Hebrew Bible as is ( of course) the Psalm reading.
But it wasn’t just the Hebrew community that we borrowed from.
As far back as the sixth century BCE the Greeks had a word for the “gathering of those summoned.” Those “gatherings” were called “Ecclesia.”
Especially in and around Athens there would be periodic meetings of Athenian citizens for conducting “public business” in the Greek City States. This “ecclesia” eventually became coterminous with the body of male citizens 18 years of age and over – who could vote and they would have the final say over policy.
The word “ecclesia” was borrowed by the early church to describe its own “assemblies.” It was “a gathering” of the “called out ones” – who were called “out of the world…”
“Ecclesia” became known as being “the whole people of God” – and ultimately “the church.” But originally, it meant “a politically autonomous body” of Christians under no king but Jesus; under no other jurisdiction but that of Jesus called the Christ. No man ruled them! Only Christ did. Sola Christi!
And that was the reason these same Christians ran into so much trouble with kings, princes and rulers; it is why they were arrested, imprisoned, crucified and martyred. They dropped Caesar as their King and took up Christ.
The word “church” in its original meaning meant “belonging to or pertaining to the Lord…” and is from the Latin…which replaced the Greek.
Somewhere “in time,” the word “ecclesia” became dropped and the word “church” became preferred.
As a matter of fact, in the Early Christian Writings, the word “church” is used only twice…while the word “ecclesia” is used more than 115 times.
And yet, the word “church” became all favored.
When I think of “church”…I do not think of a building. I do not think of a geographic location. I think of “the whole people of God.”
Church is not small. Church is huge. We actually talk about the “the church militant on earth” and the “church in heaven.” Church is big. It overflows with believers.
In my prayers, I often pray for the “church” – wherever it exists…realizing that the church is nowhere and is yet, everywhere…wherever two are three are gathered in the name of Jesus. The church is worldwide. It is universal. It is really big…
But the way that I relate to “the church” best – is on a more personal level.
For me the church is not All Saints…All Saints is simply where we meet. We could meet anywhere. 50 years ago we met in the basement of a bank building.
No, the church is much more personal…the church is Dawn, Betty, Sandy, Carol, Mary, Derk, Dan, Kathy, Leanne, Joanie, Jim, Joy, Julie, Debbie, Betty, Michael, Wally, Crystal, Diane, Kinga, Elaine, Debbie, Rita, Terri, Bill, Scott, Charles, Tracy, Tim…
This is the church, I can see. This is the church I can relate to…this is the assembly that I love…These are the ones that are “summoned” and called “out of the world”…These are the ones “belonging to the Lord…”
The church is not silver or gold, not plywood, drywall, cinder block, cement, lumber, steel or anything else for that matter. The church is you!
Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Now the church is not wood and stone, but the company of people who believe in Christ.”
He went on to say, “A seven year old child knows “what the church is,” namely, holy believers and sheep who hear the voice of their shepherd.”
And furthermore, “Whoever seeks Christ must first find the church. Now the church is not wood and stone but the group of people who believe in Christ. Whoever seeks the church – should join himself to them and observe what they teach, pray and believe. For they certainly have Christ among them…”
And lastly, Anyone who is to find Christ must first find the church. How could anyone know where Christ is and what faith in him is unless he knew where his believers are!”
And You are the church! And today, I give thanks for you!