I'm all for multi-site churches. What i am not for, is the misunderstanding of the terms and language that the Bible uses to describe who the church is. You might notice that i assigned the church a "who" instead of a "what". That is because, by Biblical definition, she is a living breathing organism, connected by synapse, sinew, bone and marrow, muscles and organs, hands and feet. She is a walking, talking, breathing, influential, tangible, recognizable presence on this Earth and her efficacy should not be underestimated, neither by herself nor her adversaries.
Though the church is one, it is a conglomerate unit. I like how my military friend Juan Camacho put it, "...One church, one people, A UNIT as we say in the military..." A unit of believers, with one directive, one allegiance, one God, one with her husbandman - her redeemer. Many members, sprinkled all over the Earth, like salt on a dish flavoring the whole. On seven continents, in nearly every country, scattered across many villages, comprising countless denominations, in prisons, surviving school campuses, on beaches, under piers, in valleys and abroad oceans, the church lives. But, there is a difference in the physically gathered church and the ethereal church that is the extended body.
Christ called the apostles to the world to make believers of humans, then called all humans to the ministry of reconciliation and to the fastening of themselves together into this form, this body called the church.
Let's take a look at one of the words the Bible uses to address believers. Every time you see the word "church" in the NT, in the original it is the word "ekklesia", which means: "Church/Assembly", The etemology further denotes "called unto a place by name and officially assembled together". So the "church" the "ekklesia" is the local body. The physically "fitly joined together" (Strong's # G1577)
Understanding that a literal gathering of believers should adhere strictly to the paradigm dynamics which the apostles administered in grace to the new testament church, we pause a moment to consider the Apostle Paul, instructing the church, more than once, to "greet one another with an holy kiss and a a psalm," a personal and hands on act. The apostles finished their lives visiting when possible and writing when necessary, admonishing and commending the early church concerning one main theme, the same thing Jesus was concerned with in Jn 17, the "unity"of believers. We read the apostles advising that we, the church, are to be bearing one another's burdens, preferring one another over our own selves, confessing our faults one to each other (vs denying them,) supporting one another, holding one another accountable and looking after the orphan and the widow, without divisions, that we might "function" as one.
Now, let's pan out to the bigger picture. Assemblies, ekklesias, bodies of believers may link up with other units of believers and be a body of ekklesias. There is nothing wrong with that. But remember, "the ekklesia" is the physical group, not an ethereal one. They are a unit that comes together "in one place, in one accord" regularly.
So, believers, distinguishable from coast to coast and around the world as the church, are a conglomeration of groups not individuals. Each level of ekklesia denotes perhaps units of units. But there is no way to escape the fact that , by virtue of definition, the church is not an individual. Nor is an individual the "church" - "the gathered(pl) together in one physical place" (notwithstanding exigent circumstances neither discussed here)
Ekklesia is a physical group, two or three gathered together in His name....it is not singular, it is the "assembly" you don't assemble one item, you assemble two or more.
Some have referred to the churches at home, scattered and abroad as a unit, a sleeping giant. I merely make reference as to give you the picture of who she is united, but there is no mandate that ALL the churches of the world be in unison prior to that day when Christ returns to the Earth physically, The Bible does, however, mandate the church/ekklesia=local church, be adhering to sound doctrine, in one accord without divisions.
Jesus called disciples just as he was beginning public ministry... The apostles were sent to make disciples and from that we read the entire new testament, apostolic writings, giving instruction to the "churches", the gatherings of believers, how they are to conduct themselves, personally, morally, physically, in assembly, in dispute, in charity, in community. The letters concerning the early church were replete with echoes of a clear mandate: "Forsake NOT the Gathering together as some have become accustomed to doing"
Jesus "sups" with his disciples. Jesus walks with his disciples. Jesus talks with his disciples. Jesus weeps for his followers. Jesus calls his followers friends. Jesus prays with his disciples, gets involved with their living.
I've had the privilege of being of flocks who may boast of pastors' that fully felt the call of shepherd. You know some are teachers, prophets, evangelists who serve in the capacity of pastor and that is okay-ish, but the pastor/shepherd, today is a rare and really special combination. I remember pastor Don telling of a man he felt led to bring to the Lord. He visited him, told him of Jesus grace, had coffee with him and on occasion asked if he would mind if he went on a run with him in his truck. That man felt the shepherd love of this pastor. My present pastor will set aside time for his members, mainly the men. He will take them on trips with him, not so that they can carry his luggage, but so that he can spend time with them, connecting in a way that spending long hours together facilitates. He will come and help with any thing that needs being done: Fixing automobiles, moving into new homes, moving out of old homes, setting up stages, etc. Hands on - in your biz if you need him or the clan he enlists to help as well. The men in our church are the most connected men i have ever seen. The young men have a code of honor that i am so impressed with because of the strength of the men that are before them. Valiant men of God. But this kind of strength and unity comes from "connection" and this kind of connection is what makes us a "church" a "body" a "physicaly assembled unit - ekklesia"
So, as we stray from the original meanings in scripture, wanting easy-to-read versions of what we believed were the Bible, we often lose the truths that God managed to maintain and hand down to us through the ages.
We are the body of Christ. And we do esteem and feel a part of the churches of God around the world, but we are accountable to be in local fellowship, physically gathering, meeting, supping with, praying in person with, touching physically, meeting needs, supporting, confessing our faults --meaning, being transparent one with another, in a way that we are only able, in community, connection, gathering physically, regularly. This is the paradigm of the church of the living God. It is clearly factual. (just ask me for the scriptural study)
I'm reminded of the Ethiopian Eunuch in the book of Acts. He is alone, reading the scripture and God sends him a flesh and bone man of God. That is another story for another time, however, the point i am trying to make is: God intends for believers to have connection with others, physically. Of this, there is no doubt. As i study scripture, this truth has become paramount.
If you call yourself the church, i would first ask you, "Are you currently in fellowship with a body of believers and if so; Whom are they with which you are fellow-shipping." Jesus put names to his group. Real flesh and blood, present and accounted for, men of God, of diverse backgrounds and education. Some he chastised, some he loved, some he taught to put down the sword, but is absolutely clear, that he had one-on-one, ongoing, close fellowship with his flock, his church, his disciples. If you are not a pastor you need one. If you are not a shepherd you are a sheep which physically belongs in a flock. The Bible is clear. We are the ekklesia/church/the assembled .
Let's stop looking for itchy ears versions of the word of God. Let us give a concerted effort to learn the vocabulary of the Bible, and the true intended meanings of it's carefully chosen words and not it's biased watered down paraphrased versions.
If God said, "...a body, fitly joined together..." (Eph 4:21, 4:16) let us "...be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves..." (James 1:22)
Jesus died that we might have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who's job it is to empower the believer to overcome and stand in the face of culture, oppression, hardship, challenges,abundance and complacency, that we might find the grace to obey what the original scripture instructs.
Be the Church, people, not the counterfeit!
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