What is your concept about the church? What you expect from a church?

First of all the word "church" is unfortunate. it is used to render the Greek word ekklesia, which can be traced backed to Greek democracy, where the citizens of a city-state were summoned together to conduct official business. It is derived from the word klesis, a calling, and ek - meaning literally "out of". So the ekklesia refers to a body of persons who are called out and assembled to conduct business - only in the context of Christianity, it is the business of the Kingdom of God.

It always refers to people, never a building. It is synonymous with the Body of Christ - all those who have become united together with Jesus Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, through faith and the operation of the Spirit of God.

The term is then differentiated in the New Testament to refer to an assembly of believers locally - the minimum quorum being "two or three, gathered together in My Name (the Name of Jesus). It also refers to all the believers in a given region - like the church at Ephesus, or the Church in Galatia; and then it is used universally of all believers in all locations at all times.

find sound Biblical teaching at:

http://www.derekprince.org/

BobbyCherian, what I am about to say to you may baffle you. I don't know...

What I have observed in the last 18 yrs. is that the church is full of sinners!!!

I was so utterly devastated by what I saw in the first church I attended; where I gave my life to Jesus...

I was devastated time and time and time again as I sought to find a "good church," but my search produced frustrating results time and time again...

fast forward 18 years later, I found out that in my long and supposed fruitless search, I failed to see one thing. I was RIGHT at home! I am a terrible sinner... but 18 years later, I've grown up and have less and less temper tantrums and have learned that though the church is full of sinners... there is ONE thing that matters - CHRIST.

He is our common ground and the reason for our fellowship, our love, our concern, our prayers, our tears, our accountability, our need for one another.

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

~Proverbs 27:6

Don't get me wrong...there were alot of encourging, precious beautiful sinners in church. They helped me to remain strong and stay focused. And church just happens to be my saving grace to help me make it through the week sometimes... God is with us! Amen ;0))

Three things I expect from the church.

1. Evangelism: Christians are expected to tell the world of the gospel of Jeus Christ. Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16.

2. Editification: The church is to teach about Jesus Christ and His doctrines. Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:18-20). Christians are mandated by Christ to teach new Christians everything they need they need to know.

3. Benevolence: Christians were commanded to do good to all men. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

I think the church is a great con but has the power to make a difference in the world if it worked on taking care of third world countries with the monies it has in banks. Yes it does do a little bit in third world countries but it could do a lot more other than preach.

the church is a failure.....

God desires we know Him....and that we gather with others who know Him ...to worship, talk, break bread and example His love....not go to a building with a steeple and stand up for 15 minutes and sing songs that feel good but really don't mean anything to us.....cept for the moment...not to line up for a wafer and a shot of juice....not to drop an envelope in a basket for a "tithe"......not to sit and listen to someone "preach".......sorry...this is church in the western culture....but the entire concept is meaningless....people who chose God are the church...with Christ and we shouldn't just "go to church"...but be the church....but many wont....because the concept in this age is to easy and requires little sacrifice....

I'm Christian and even I find church to be stupid, only retards go there.

God bless all~

It is the getting together. To fell the presence of God. and worship him.