The world religion known as Christianity has traditionally been most visible in its organisation into groups called “churches." Its buildings are also often called “churches,” with a wide range of size, architecture and use. What is this phenomenon known throughout the world as a church?
What Does Church Mean?
The word “church” actually derived through old English and German to the Greek word Kurios meaning "lord" or "ruler" – the idea of the church belonging to the Lord, but in the Bible the word is usually used to translate the Greek word ecclesia which means a congregation of people.
The term is never used in the Bible or early Christian history to denote a building – that came later when the buildings built specially for groups of Christians came to be known by the same name as the group of people within it.
Started in the New Testament
The idea of churches came into being in the New Testament with Jesus, before that the people of God were limited to the nation of Israel, and anyone that wanted to join the worship of God, also became a member of that nation (Ruth 1:16).
It was Jesus who first began to speak of his church when he said to Peter: “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18, NIV)
Gathering of Believers
In this announcement Jesus was establishing the way his followers were to be organised. His purpose was to build a “church”: a group of people based on the the statement Peter had just made: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16, NIV).
His aim was not to attract lots of individual followers, it was the establishment of a group of people – a kind of organisation.
Names of the Church
This organisation is described a great deal in the rest of the New Testament. It is described as the "bride of Christ" (Revelation 21:2) – his most loved and precious possession. It is also described as a body – the body of Christ – made of diverse members which have to work together if the whole is to work properly (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Another important concept associated with the church is that of a family (Ephesians 2:19).
Leadership in the Church
The leaders of the church which are described in the Bible are elders (or bishops) and deacons. The elders are the spiritual guides, existing to teach the rest of the church the teachings of Jesus and guiding them like shepherds guide their sheep. The deacons (a word meaning "servant") were there to deal with practical issues within the church – distributing aid to the poor and administrative practical duties.
When “church” is done properly it can be a very effective organisation for encouraging believers and doing good within society. If it is done improperly, it can be be the greatest obstacle to people who are seeking to become involved in organized religion.
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