Understanding the Ecclesia (The Church)
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What is the Church?
What is the Church?
In your opinion what is the church? Is it the building, and organization or the people?
The church is a living and active fellowship of people who believe Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. The church represents the place that God wants believers to grow and to minister to others. The church is more of an organism than an organization.
Discussion Question: Regardless of what you think church is, how do you treat church? Do you treat it like an organization/building or a family? What do you think are the major differences between these two ways of treating them, and how do you think understanding the church in one way or another can impact your faith and you relate to God and people?
When the church is treated like an organization/building, the following takes place:
Principles matter more than people.
Church becomes something you have to take a break FROM rather than something you to take a break TO.
What we DO together is more important than who we ARE together when we do whatever it is.
God is someone to be worshipped in the building instead anywhere.
When the church is treated like a family, the following takes place:
2) When the church is treated like a family, people matter more than principles.
People matter more than principles.
Church becomes something you break TO rather than something you have to take a break FROM.
Who we ARE together is more important than what we DO together.
God is someone to be worshipped anywhere and not just in the building.
Let us not just understand church to be a family and composed on people, but let us live as church is a family and composed of people.
The Church and The World
The Church and The World
Typologies of the
Discussion Question: In your opinion, what is the purpose or ministry of the church?
Look at attachment: “The Varieties of Christian Spirituality: A Typology”
The Church and The World
The Church and The World
Passages of Scripture
Look at attachment Do you think the churches role should be in politics?
Discussion Question: Which typology (ies) do you think is closer to what you believe the purpose of the church to be? Which typology (ies) do you think Park Windsor functions under? How do you think this plays out in a business meeting or church setting when people have different views of what the purpose of the church should be?
The Church and The World
The Church and The World
Discussion Question: Read below. This passage is where we get or slogan “Be in the world, not of it.” What does being in the world and not of it look like for you? What do you think the churches relationship with the world should be? What role should the church play in politics, if any? Racism? Feminism? LGBT? Immigration? Social Injustice? Should we update our theology based on what’s going on?
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
John
5 Ways to Look at the Church’s Relationship With the World
5 Ways to Look at the Church’s Relationship With the World
Christ Against Culture
Christians are in opposition to culture and the world around them. These Christians usually withdraw from the world.
Christ of Culture
Christians must accommodate their beliefs, values, and practices to the contemporary questions and concerns of the world.
Christ Above Culture
Christians should integrate their beliefs, values, and practices with cultural developments in music, media, computers, business management, demographics, and so on.
Christ and Culture in Paradox
Christians exists in an unsolvable tension between church and the world. Just as those who believe that believe in “Christ Against Culture,” the church and the world are in irreconcilable opposition to one another. However, Christians should not withdraw, for they are called to still minister until Jesus comes back.
Christians exists in an irresolvable tension between church and the world. Just as those who believe that believe in “Christ Against Culture,” the church and the world are in irreconcilable opposition to one another. However, Christians should not withdraw, for they are called to still minister until Jesus comes back.
Christ the Transformer of Culture
Christians should not only minister to people spiritually, but seek to redeem people’s social, economic and political well-being. We should care for both the physical and spiritual needs of people.
Passages Christians Use to Define the Purpose of the Church
Passages Christians Use to Define the Purpose of the Church
There is no passage that blatantly says this is the purpose of the church. However, there are many passages that may give some suggestions? In the three passages below, what seems to be the purpose of the church?
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
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,
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Matthew 25:
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Tim
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Luke 22:
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
The Varieties of Christian Spirituality: A Typology
The Varieties of Christian Spirituality: A Typology
The Varieties of Christian Spirituality: A Typology
The Varieties of Christian Spirituality: A Typology
Discussion Question: In your opinion, what is the purpose or ministry of the church?
Look at attachment: “The Varieties of Christian Spirituality: A Typology”
Passages of Scripture
Discussion Question: Which typology (ies) do you think is closer to what you believe the purpose of the church to be? Which typology (ies) do you think Park Windsor functions under? How do you think this plays out in a business meeting or church setting when people have different views of what the purpose of the church should be?
3 views: Boyd and Eddy
3 views: Boyd and Eddy
Further Reflection?
What does an ideal church look like? Do you know of any ideal churches?