What is the Church?

It seems like a simple question, and initially you might think you know the answer. Church is uncomfortable hugs, singing and prayer, and listening to (sometimes lengthy) sermons, right? Actually, the Church is called to be something much more important.

The Body of Christ

Imagine a man (or look in a mirror)! This man has a head and also a body, with arms and legs. Each part of a man's body has a purpose, and together they make up the whole body. However, the body is not complete without the head and can do very little without it, because the head controls the body.

That is why the church is called the Body of Christ. Jesus is the head, and His Church is the body. The Church relies on Jesus for everything; its very existence is utterly dependent upon Him. With the Church (His figurative Body), Jesus can draw others close to Him, show His love to the world, and bring glory to His Father in heaven.

An Institution With a Calling

God created the world, and God also created the Church. It is his messenger, which he uses to spread the good news of Jesus, that there is grace for everyone, regardless of what they have done or who they have been.

God wants all of his children (which is everybody) to love and to know him, and he wants a personal relationship with everyone. He loves us; loves us so much that he sacrificed his only and beloved son Jesus so that we could be with him. Jesus did not stay dead for long, and with his resurrection he made that personal relationship possible. Then he told his disciples to tell everyone, the entire world, what God had done! All of this, so that we may know God's love and have that relationship with him.

A Global Community

Many people claim the title "Christian," and some are more serious about it than others. For that reason, lots of people look upon the Church with scorn, and it breaks our Father's heart. True believers love God with all of their being, and love others like themselves, placing the needs of their neighbors before their own. Thankfully, many of the world's Christians are true believers, which means that, throughout the entire world there is a community of people who believe in Jesus and believe in what he had to say.

Whether they are missionaries in Africa or your hometown pastor, true believers are all part of the Church