a real church

I heard something new in church today (I'm 38 and have been a Christian for 19 years, I've never heard this) I wanted to share some thoughts on, I pray you are blessed with this. The word "church" was translated in King James' time from the German word Kirche, which means "location" versus the original greek word -Ekklesia- which means "gathering". Imagine if we went to church to gather as Christians instead of going to our church location...defining our faith by our time together versus our building.

I don't know about you, but I hate the typical "church" that is built on rules and doctrine, where the people show up for their dose of peace and leave unchanged, where they say one thing and act differently. When we moved from Ohio to NC, we didn't know what type of church to go to. Our past experiences left a bad taste in our mouths and we were sick of the garbage that is involved with the hierarchy of many churches today. But we had never known anything different. My church here is awesome. Our pastor is bent on making our church the type of church God intended church to be. After Christ died, people gathered to talk about what He had taught when He was alive. It was a movement that spread quickly. Later, interventions happened and church became all about the location and the building and the rules and separating one group from another.

Something amazing is happening at my church, but that's not why I'm there...to be a part of the next big thing or whatever. I'm there because I know Christ died for me, He has healed my son's injured eye beyond all reason, He has rescued me from the depths of despair, from my suicidal tendencies, He healed my body when I prayed and prayed (in an instance where it simply was not going to heal). I know with everything I am that this is true and good and that my church is striving to be what is good and true. Not the best, not the biggest, just true. I hope every Christian can know the truth and the joy of living for God's kingdom, not for this world, while you are still living.

This is what a real church is, one that gathers together to praise God and to witness to others what Christ has done for them.

The Fellowship of the Believers Acts 2: 42-47
" 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. "