I would say that “the church” is the world wide body of believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
Church in the USA, for most people would include the following:
- That building on the corner where I go once a week or so.
- The place where I sing a few songs and listen to a guy or gal talk for 20 to 30 minutes.
A few points to consider in relation to church USA church or institutional church:
- There is very little interaction – you just sit and look at the back of someone’s head
- You listen to someone talk for quite some time with no opportunity to ask questions or interact with either the speaker or those next to you.
- Lots of money is spent on buildings and staff with relatively little spiritual development and/or fellowship created as a result of all that is spent.
“The Gathering” by Ray Barnett – I would highly recommend this book. When God speaks of the “church”, is He talking about what we have created or maybe something quite different from what we normally see or experience?
Church history – why we do what we do
Church – Biblical Christianity – The Story of Reality by Greg Koukl
Church – So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore
Church – What my grandaughter said
Church – thoughts on finding one – notes about finding a church
Community – Soul Talk – Larry Crabb
Community – A Different Kind of Happiness – book by Larry Crabb
Community – Scary Close – D Miller
Discipleship – Every Man a Warrior
Discipleship – Francis Chan – BASIC Series
Discipleship – Francis Chan – James
Discipleship – Navigators 2-7 Study
Community – true community – thoughts on becoming a true spiritual community
Politics – Why Christians should be involved in politics – thoughts from Dr Frank Turek
Struggle Well – excellent series on Job
Tell-someone-greg-laurie – excellent short book to challenge and encourage everyone to tell someone about Christ