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We Are The Church


You are the Church. I am the Church. We are the Church together. That may sound familiar as many of us have sang these words in the song “We Are the Church” by Richard Avery and Don Marsh. The first verse is very powerful: “The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.” The Church is not an organization, but an organism. It is living. It is people.

I like what the Free Methodist Church says about the church in its “Book of Discipline”  on page one: “It is clear from Scripture that the church is of God and for people. It is His creation. Christ is its head. The church is the people of God chosen for a purposeful partnership in accomplishing the will of God on earth.”

This concept of the church makes it more understandable why Paul was so passionate in his letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16, we see to powerful statements of Paul: “For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building” and “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?”

Yes, our church buildings are beautiful with woodwork, stained glass, gold and silver, elaborate Bibles and candles. What is even more beautiful than even the greatest cathedrals in the world are the people who are members of these facilities.

They are beautiful when they sacrificially live holy, sanctified lives and allow the Holy Spirit to fill them with power and authority. They are beautiful when they remain unified through salvation in Jesus Christ. We are, indeed, God’s temple and the church of God together. We are walking tabernacles that carry the message of Jesus to the world.

1 Corinthians 12:10 is important for us to digest spiritually as Paul said, “As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” Let us gain a new appreciation for everyone within our church community. May we pay closer attention to every aspect of ministry that occurs within the body of Christ. No work is greater than another. All that is offered is equal.

May this also be a reminder to rise to the level of unconditional love towards one another. May we be patient, understanding, and willing to forgive and cover all things in love. May we strive not to be at odds with one another, but celebrate our unique gifts.

Most certainly, may we never hear of long-standing feuds amongst parishioners and churches that “chew up and spit out” pastors every two to three years. Tearing down and destroying the physical church is repugnant in the sight of God. Conquer all with the redeeming and unconditional love of Jesus. Remember: build and uplift. There is no room in the church for destruction and demolition.

May each of us likewise be united to God and each other in faith, forming a holy building founded on Christ. Live holy, blameless and sanctified by letting God make you a temple of the Holy Spirit. Don’t do this alone! Do it together with your fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. As it has been said “If you stick together, you won’t fall apart!” 

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