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Years ago, I was responsible for 91 churches of all shapes and sizes: One was called a cowboy church that occasionally met in a barn. Another sang hymns from a CD. Another had a pipe organ that cost more than most church buildings. Another church provided food for people twice a week and served dinner one night each week. Another built a home in Mississippi for a Hurricane victim sending work teams to Mississippi every week for two years. You name it we had it.

So, what is a church? The dictionary defines a church as a building for public worship or a body of religious believers. The word “church” is based on a Greek word which literally means “of the Lord.” There are many meanings but mainly the church is “Of the Lord.” This is the foundation every church should rest upon.

Jesus prepared his disciples both then and now for a mission. Jesus said in the first chapter of Acts: “In just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:4-5 

• You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
• You will receive power from the Holy Spirit.
• You will be my witnesses, telling people everywhere.

This is what the church is all about: moving from the foundation of our faith, which is Jesus Christ toward forming the body of Jesus Christ guided by God’s Holy Spirit to be witnesses everywhere.

I like the children’s song: “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!”

Trying to live a life, following Christ without the help of the Church and The Holy Spirit is like trying to guide a sailboat across the Atlantic Ocean with no wind. You can push against the mast of the boat and make it rock. If you push strenuously, over and over you can make the boat rock and even create a few waves. Seeing the waves will make you think you are making progress and work harder. The sad truth however is, you may be working hard but you are going nowhere.

The source of our strength, our peace, our comfort, our stability all lies with the amazing grace offered to us through Jesus Christ which is carried out and maintained by God’s church and God’s Holy Spirit. “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!”

One church member, Steve Trapani wrote: Doing the Children’s sermon does the most for me. A lot of times, in the beginning, I winged it, but then I started doing more preparation. Now as I prepare, I ponder long and hard. After a while, the Holy Spirit bonks me upside the head and gives me inspiration. This has deepened my relationship with God and strengthened my faith. 

“I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!”

As we better understand God’s church, we take a giant step toward greater spiritual maturity. I pray you will experience personal relief as you hear encouragement and guidance to help you deal with the personal issues in your life. This is what the church and God’s Holy Spirit does best.

An old Indian was led to Christ by a member of her church. Friends asked her to explain the change. Reaching down, she picked up a worm and placed it on a pile of leaves. Then she lit a match and set the edge of the leaves on fire. As the flames worked their way up to the center where the worm lay, the old Indian suddenly plunged her hand into the center of the burning pile and snatched out the worm. Holding the worm gently in her hand, she said: “I am that worm.”

“I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!”

LARRY DAVIES can be reached at larrydavies@vaumc.org.