I recently updated our church websites and social media page. It was long overdue. For a long time, we had some nice pictures of the building and few (if any) pictures of the actual church.
That might be a little confusing to you, but the church is not the building. When people search for a particular church, they ought to at least see a glimpse of the church. You see, a church is a local, visible congregation…an assembly.
In our culture we have gotten sloppy and often call the building where we meet “the church,” but the New Testament knows of no such usage. We may say, “I am going to church” or “The church needs some cleaning,” but this is foreign to the Biblical language.
There are some texts that have been confusing for some people including some preachers. For example,
In 1 Timothy 3:15, we read the following in the KJV/NKJV:
“but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15, NKJV)
Paul was not telling Timothy to act a certain way when he goes into a building with pews, stained glass windows, and a steeple. They knew of nothing like that! As a matter of fact, if you read this passage and think you need to act one way on Sunday morning and a different way the rest of the week, you are a hypocrite! The Bible has nothing good to say about that kind of behavior.
I like the way the Legacy Standard translates this passage:
“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15, LSB)
Paul said to the church at Corinth:
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27, LSB)
The church is made up of people, not wood or brick, or steeples and stained-glass windows.
Online is tricky. We can only get a glimpse of a church and who they are, but pictures of the people is much better than a picture of the building. I added pictures of people, some members, and some visitors too. Lord willing, I will update those pictures as we grow.
Check us out at www.sgbchortense.com. But more importantly, if you are in the area, come worship with us. We’d love to have you with us.