Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people. This familiar rhyme may bring back memories for those who grew up in church. It creates excitement and anticipation for children beginning to make connections about themselves, their world, and others as they attend worship. They’re already hardwired with a yearning for God and the truth about Him and how they fit into His grand story (Acts 17:27).

We are created to crave the things of God and fellowship with the people of God. Genesis one and two reveal how Yahweh fashioned us that way from the beginning. Then chapter three changes everything. It distorts the church, the steeple, and the people. We no longer live in harmony with each other—the church. We are no longer focused above on God—the steeple. And we set our gaze on ourselves—the people. As imperfect as it is, the church is still God’s primary means of revealing Himself through His Word and doing life together as believers.

After thirty-five years, I visited the church where I first heard God call my name. I remember His invitation clearly, even though I was only six. Although the church was closed midweek, the janitor opened the door for me. I wiped away the tears as I walked through those familiar doors. The Holy Spirit didn’t even wait before I sat in a pew before He downloaded the memories of those precious years of His courtship before He popped the question. It was in that very sanctuary where I said yes to Jesus.

What is the Church? Is it the building? Is it the people? Is it the collective body of believers throughout the world? Yes, that is the church—all of it. The local church. The Young Life Club in high school. The CRU gathering in college. The neighborhood Bible study group. God uses His people to reach the hurting, broken, confused, and lost. He can do that anywhere, in any setting, in any group, in any community, and in any country.

Throughout history, the church has been questioned, rightfully so. Some have been led astray by false teaching in the church. Many have been hurt by abuse and the moral failings of church leaders. Some have listened but not heard the message. Yet others have been positively influenced and led to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Church.

The church is the building. God provides spaces for us to hear about Him. From the inception of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, the Temple in Jerusalem, the synagogues in Israel, and the church buildings today, God has set apart a place to gather and hear the truth of His Word, worship Him, and share life with other believers.

The church is the individual believer. I’m so grateful for the pastors, professors, volunteers, friends, moms, and para-church leaders who have significantly impacted my relationship with Christ and sacrificed their time on behalf of my soul. They have names: Lois, Howard, Charlie, Sue, Dana, Bill, Janet, Todd, Melissa, Kevin, Lisa, Mary, Christe, Sheila, Matt, Cynthia, Meredith, Stephen, and Mark. You have your heroes too.

The church is the collective body of believers. While worshipping in Christian churches in Jerusalem, Egypt, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, I looked into the eyes of people who did not look like me and shared smiles as we sang. We are related and connected to all those around the world who call upon the name of Jesus. We are one big family, and it’s beautiful (1 Cor 12:27). We are different yet the same.

But the church is not just the building. Structures collapse over time. The childhood church I visited later burned down. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice. But Christ said he would raise it again in three days (Jn 2:19). As He rose from the dead, every believer became a temple of the Living God (1 Cor 3:16). Our individual churches remain etched in our memories, holding impactful encounters with the Lord. Even so, as believers, we are the temple housing the very Spirit of God.

The church is not just the people. The church is full of broken yet redeemed individuals still in the process of sanctification. Although we are called to emulate Christ, we are not perfect.

People, including pastors, will let us down. I love the message “It’s okay to not be okay. God meets you where you are,” which is displayed on nearly every wall in my church. When people disappoint us, and they will, we can rely on the truth that God will never let us down (Ps 18:1-3). He is our rock and firm foundation.

The church is not just an experience. It is the place where the essential doctrines of our faith are proclaimed. We need to know what we believe (orthodoxy), so we can live out those beliefs (orthopraxy). If the church teaches the whole truth of God’s Word, we are not led astray by false doctrines (Eph 4:14). The church is the body of Christ sent into the world to display God’s glory as we love Him, love people, and make disciples (Mk 12:30-31, Matt 28:19-20). The church is the bride of Christ. He built it and promised nothing would overcome it (Matt 16:18). Jesus is coming back for His bride (Rev 19:7). Get ready, Church!

This article first appeared in Elohim Times in their March-April 2023 edition.

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