Thursday, January 24, 2008

C-hurch & c-hurch


Church.  An interesting word that brings to mind different images and experiences.  The Church. A church. The Universal Church. The Local Church. Church potluck (A-M Salads / N-Z Main Dish).  Church picnic.  Church bulletins.  Church meetings.  Church committees.   Church attendance.  Church clothes.  The many expressions associated with "church" (local and universal) can raise many questions? What does the church look like today and what do we see expressed in Scripture?  What is the "role" of the Church and the church? What is God's vision for his Church?

These and many other questions were explored during two recent Church Conferences hosted by TEARS.  The first conference saw 19 Haitian leaders from the Jima and Soto areas (in the DR) and the second conference had 25 leaders from El Camino Church in Maria Auxiliadora (the more I type the word "church" the less it seems like a word).  Those in attendance engaged in and wrestled through commonly heard but often misunderstood topics such as evangelism, discipleship, the kingdom, and as noted, what is the church (local and universal) and what does it mean for us who are part of the church (local and universal).

What are your thoughts?  What comes to mind when you hear church?  Post a thought.  Post a question.  Post a recipe (I'm "D" so fresh salad ideas are always good).

1 comment:

Amaris said...

:) No recipes, although I hope you're learning some good Dominican ones.

Church associations: the Body (connected to each other, Christ as head), community, potlucks, hymns, the Bride, temple (living stones - 1 Peter), the people of God, communion/eucharist, liturgy, Sundays.