The Church has literally left its buildings.
Many congregations in the Metro Detroit area have just “cancelled”/”suspended” all activities in their physical buildings (including Sunday worship services) because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Though sad, this course of action might lead to a healing outcome for the world and a healthy future for the “Church”. It is true that the coronavirus brings with it many fears, uncertainties and challenges but by God’s grace it also brings with it a sacred gift – a moment in history to stop and reflect upon the true nature, message and purpose of the Church.
What really is the Church?
To whom does it belong?
Where is it located? Where does it meet?
What is its message?
Why does the world need it?
Who will build and protect and grow it?
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:17-19 (NIV)
ekklesia
“Ekklesia” is a greek word that refers to the Church as a “gathering”, an “assembly”, or, as the Apostles Creed states, “a communion of saints”.
In the New Testament it describes those who have been …
called out (1 Peter 2:9-12)
gathered (Acts 2:42-47)
and going in the name of Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20)
In the early church, these “ekklesias” met in homes. They devoted themselves “to the apostles’ teaching”, to the “Divine Service” (corporate prayer, praise and the reception of the Lord’s Supper) and they cared for those in the community. (Acts 2:42-47)
Everyone in the “ekklesia” was encouraged, exhorted and equipped to …
be in the Scriptures everyday
be in the Divine Service every week
fulfill his or her God Given vocation in order to love and serve the neighbor everywhere
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers … and the church that meets at their house.
Romans 16:3-5
Since the beginning of time, the Triune God has revealed where His people (and the world) are to go to receive His sacred gifts. Temples were built and were destroyed. Persecution drove the faithful out of the public square and into underground meeting places. A virus may empty the building for a season but a building doesn’t define or confine the Church.
The Church “gathers” around the Word (in the Scriptures and Incarnate – Jesus among us). Where the Word is taught and the sacramental gifts given, there Jesus is building His Church, steeple or no steeple. When Jesus, His Word and His gifts are with us, the Church can leave their buildings.
May the Lord gather His Church in new places and new ways with new people hearing the Gospel.
The Seven Marks of the Church
When asked what the Church was, Martin Luther answered:
Thank God, today a seven-year-old child knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd [John 10:11–16].
Smalcald Articles III XII 1–2
Below is a video that introduces the New Testament concept of “ekklesia” and Martin Luther’s description of the “seven marks of the church”. Also listed are some links to helpful resources and a PDF of the presentation notes.
- PDF of the video presentation
- Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller’s website … www.wolfmueller.co
- Martin Luther’s “On the Churches and the Councils” (from Pastor Wolfmueller’s website) … click here.
A couple of resources to help “fix your eyes on Jesus”
This world may have many fears but the Lord has many gifts to give. I’ll try and help deliver some of those gifts to you and your family. Here’s a couple of resources with more to come …
Online Devotional
On each day of the Lenten Journey I’ll post the following:
- a link to a Gospel reading
- a brief meditation
- a prayer and a few questions for reflection
- on the Sundays of Lent, I’ll post something brief so that we can “sabbath”, cease from our work and receive all of the works of Jesus
If you journey forty days with the posted meditations (not counting Sundays), they will lead you through Holy Week and bring you to the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.
“eXPlain it” online portal
The “eXPlain it” portal is an online discipleship resource created to help you understand the person and work of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in all of the Scriptures. I’ll continue to add more material to each class offering over the next couple of days and weeks.
Here’s links to two resources within the portal (with more to come) …
- “Saturday in the Scriptures”
- “ekklesia” (this is where I’ll start to load some resources for those who might not be able to gather in a physical and public building)
“May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)
Paul