The Church, the body of Christ
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)
During a conversation with a friend recently I mentioned that I belong to a church. My friend commented that she didn’t go to church because she ‘didn’t find God there’. This got me thinking – do we go to church to ‘find God’? I think we go to church to learn about God. Also, any church is only as good or as godly as the people in attendance. Christians should be the ones who bring God into the church.
No matter how beautiful and ornate the church building may be, and it does feel special to be in such a place, it’s the people, the believers, who are the true church. They are the ‘body of Christ’ as we read in the header scripture, and Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18).
Of course not all believers meet in a church building. They may just get together in small groups in someone’s home.Where believers gather together in the name of Christ, that is where the church is. When we do this we have a promise from Christ himself. He will be there amongst us! In Matthew 18:20 we read, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
It’s important that a visitor feels welcomed and accepted within our congregations, whoever they are, and whatever their circumstances. Much discernment, grace and love is needed – not everyone wants to tell their whole life story!
If you are a person considering going to a church. I think you will find a group of ordinary people, just like you, on a journey of discovery to learn more about our wonderful Creator God. Give it a try! It might be a turning point in your life.
Prayer
Lord, we pray for the church, the body of Christ. Make it salt and light in our communities that preserves and safeguards us and heralds the gospel: the good news of Jesus to all who have ears to hear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by June Burrows
About the writer:
June Burrows attends the Southampton congregation of Grace Communion International
Local congregation:
Hythe & Dibden Parish Hall
West St
Hythe
Southampton
SO45 6AA
Meeting time:
Saturday 11:00am
Local congregation contact:
Peter Noon
Email: southampton@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church