The word 'Church'has devolved (for some) into representing a hollow, and hypocritical institution, so they tend to want to shy away from it. These days it also carries the connotations, or meanings of both a building and denomination. The former needs to be maintained by the ones who gather within its walls, and the latter is a man-made invention used to divide and exclude, based on man-made religious ideals and criteria, rather than on compliance to Scripture. Yes dear reader, what you have heard is true, Christianity is an exclusive religion, regardless of how modern preachers try to make it into being their brand of "I'm okay, you're okay" religious inclusion.
Anyway, which ever word you chose to use, church, ecclesia, or your particular denomination, one thing is for certain, we need to get back to the original meaning and intent behind the gathering of called out ones, or the saints. We are the living stones that make up the house of the Lord, and not an actual building, or a particular denomination! Jesus said, "For where there are two or three gathered in My name, there will I be also." Notice He didn't say, "For where there are two or three gathered under a roof with four walls in the name of (insert your denomination here), there I will be also." According to Jesus, a gathering of two or more people, anywhere, in any circumstance, in His name (meaning His character)is His church, because He will be there with them. The Church, or Ecclesia is supposed to be made of people who are already saved; not mortar, not brick, not hewn stone, but saved people gathered somewhere. The Church, or Ecclesia, as displayed in the New Testament, gathered together and fellowshiped with one another by having broken bread together, heard the New Testament letters read, perhaps prophesied and edified one another, sang hymns, and to even shared stories of salvation, and perils suffered for the sake of the gospel, and Jesus. And then, after basking in fellowship with each other and their Lord, they went out into the world to evangelize it, many times risking their lives to spread the gospel. Is that what we see going on inside the four walls of a rented, or mortgaged building in this day and age? Church these days is more like a country club to be honest, where dues (tithes) are paid and amenities (coffee carts, rock concerts, and motivational speakers) are enjoyed. What a mess we have made of Jesus' body, Lord forgive us!
Anyway, which ever word you chose to use, church, ecclesia, or your particular denomination, one thing is for certain, we need to get back to the original meaning and intent behind the gathering of called out ones, or the saints. We are the living stones that make up the house of the Lord, and not an actual building, or a particular denomination! Jesus said, "For where there are two or three gathered in My name, there will I be also." Notice He didn't say, "For where there are two or three gathered under a roof with four walls in the name of (insert your denomination here), there I will be also." According to Jesus, a gathering of two or more people, anywhere, in any circumstance, in His name (meaning His character)is His church, because He will be there with them. The Church, or Ecclesia is supposed to be made of people who are already saved; not mortar, not brick, not hewn stone, but saved people gathered somewhere. The Church, or Ecclesia, as displayed in the New Testament, gathered together and fellowshiped with one another by having broken bread together, heard the New Testament letters read, perhaps prophesied and edified one another, sang hymns, and to even shared stories of salvation, and perils suffered for the sake of the gospel, and Jesus. And then, after basking in fellowship with each other and their Lord, they went out into the world to evangelize it, many times risking their lives to spread the gospel. Is that what we see going on inside the four walls of a rented, or mortgaged building in this day and age? Church these days is more like a country club to be honest, where dues (tithes) are paid and amenities (coffee carts, rock concerts, and motivational speakers) are enjoyed. What a mess we have made of Jesus' body, Lord forgive us!