What comes to peoples minds when the word 'Church' is mentioned? Do they think of a pretty white building topped with a steeple reaching for the clear blue sky, filled with joyous hat wearing worshipers, singing, swaying, and clapping white glove clad hands to soulful gospel music? Do they think of being dragged to an austere industrial warehouse by their spouse, or parents, only to sit for at least an hour upon an uncomfortable recycled pew, listening to a boring sermon and impatiently glancing at their watch, while thinking of where they will go for lunch? Do they think of ancient cold stone facades, and the scent of candle wax mingled with incense, and elaborate stained glass windows that dimly light elevated pulpits, where sermons are droned in a dead language? Or perhaps they think of fire and brimstone preaching being shouted at shell-shocked parishioners accompanied by an angry pointing finger aimed at the cowering sinners seated below the alter? Or perhaps some envision the sleek and stylish mega complexes that house state of the art amenities, where the hip and happening crowd sits under the pastorate of a spellbinding showman. How about you? What do you think of when you hear the word 'church' ? More importantly, what does the Bible have to say about what Church is, or isn't?
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