What is the church?

Whenever I have a chance to talk about the church, I like to ask all types of people what it is to them.  So many people say it is a group of hypocrites that say one thing and do the other.  The funny thing to me is that this is often times the definition of people.  Not everyone is a hypocrite 100% ,but it seems everyone has a little of this in them.  The problem with a church is that you wish the people there would at least be who they say they are!

My thought is why not be who you say you are no matter who you are or where you are, especially at a church?  How would the church look?  Would you have loving and kind people that are real?  If someone cuts you off in the parking lot while at church could you imagine being ‘flicked off’?  If someone were slurping coffee next to you, would you say something like stop it or I will shove this Bible down your throat!  If the pastor says something that is absolutely crazy why would you not say “Really?” out loud instead of “Amen!”  If you speak bad language, why not keep doing it?  When the service is over why do some people hop in the car, turn the corner, and then light up a cigarette instead of the church having a smoking area?  Basically, why is the church not a bar that has a preacher in it?  The funny thing is that the other day I had a friend tell me that they go to a church where the pastor owns a microbrewery and they use this to host fellowship events.

The deal is church should be a place where people can come together, be real, honest, take care of each other and worship God!

The purpose of the church is two-fold. First, the church comes together for the purpose of bringing each member to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13).  And second, the church reaches out to spread the love of Christ and the gospel message to unbelievers in the world (Matthew 28:18-20).  This is the Great Commission. So, the purpose of the church is to minister to believers and unbelievers.

The church is important because it is one of the main solutions through which God carries out his purposes on earth. The church is the body of Christ, His heart, His mouth, His hands and feet reaching out to the world.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  1Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

Should the church love every sinner if they do sin there or somewhere else? Should the church be a place that does not judge but rather instructs the truth and lets the Holy Spirit convict?  What should the church do?  How should it react?

If you do not go to church, I challenge you to go, be yourself, and seek God’s love!  Remember there are people there and some get it and some will make mistakes…

What do think?