What Is Church?
— Friday, July 15th, 2011 by E. Elizabeth Cook
What we call "church" is now 2,000 years old.
Sunday's I go faithfully to "church" to worship.
We might sing "The 'church's' one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord."
Some Warm Beachers ride the senior bus to attend, "The church on the hill."
What do we mean when we say the word "church?"
Webster's heavy red tome tells me it is a building set apart for worship.
I turn to Smith's Bible Dictioniary to find that "church" is the Lord's faithful people" or the "Lord's House where His people gather." It concludes with a rather lengthy explanation: "A church is any number of souls called and united in one vow, in one place for Divine Worship where the pure word is preached and the sacraments duly administered, and the people follow Godly living after His law as given by the head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first reference to "church" is found in the New Testament. Paul and Barnabas called the church together to report on their missionary journey and opened the door to the Gentiles. Paul admonished the elders or overseers to feed the church, the believers Christ purchased with His own blood.
In his Handbook Halley states that in Ephesians Paul writes about one body working in harmony. Its basic principle is lvoe. Halley adds "The object of "church" is to nurture each member into the perfect image of Christ."
The early church was founded by Christ. These called-out believers, now referred to as Christians, met in homes and came together as an act of worship to God. Halley says in his handbook the two most important features of church are congregational singing and instruction in God's word. He states that "A singing church and a teaching pulpit" are the requisites for a church to be a church.
Sunday mornings I go across the community street to Beachwood. 10:15 is the announced time to begin. However, I need to leave our apartment 10 to 15 minutes ahead of 10:00 to find my chosen seat. Joyce or Pat is playing the organ. Many attendees are visiting or catching up with their friends. If John is playing the piano to add to the organ, many begin to spontaneously sing the words to the music being played.
We do not meet in a separate building but in the auditorium. There are no stained glass windows. Mary always has lovely floral arrangements placed before the pulpit and on the organ. Many nursing patients are wheeled down the hall from nursing. Residents from Cedar Court join them. On rainy or snowy mornings I rejoice that they all may come in dry and warm for all is under one roof. The rest of the assemblage has to 'face the elements' as they make their way to their Sunday morning worship sancutary.
Chaplin Dodge is busy greeting the residents by name or pushing a wheelchair here or there prior to joining in the singing as the service begins. He greets the congregation in the name of Jesus, prays and then encourages us to live our faith. He challenges each of us to proclaim the news of Jesus as long as we have breath.
We do observe communion. I remember well the occasion my neighbor, new in the faith, was blessed as she partook of the elements. Tears of joy accompanied her sharing her experience with me.
Do I go to church? Yes, yes, yes.
I do not need a building set apart or an altar rail. We worship, pray, and I go out to live my faith.
I happily go to 'church' her in Warm Beach Senior Community.
I joyfully am a part of the 'church' triumphant.
I am truly blessed!