Why You Are NOT "the Church"

“We need to stop making a big deal out of going to church. It’s just a building. We ARE the church!”

I hear this saying all the time among Christians.

On the surface, it sounds like a very powerful and true statement.

But I think that’s kind of a weakness of our modern day, American church.

We just kind of say things because they sound true and good, but we don’t study them to make sure that they’re biblically correct.

But we have to believe things because they’re true, not because they’re cool to believe in.

The most important reason for Christians to study and make sure that what we’re saying is biblically correct is this:

What we say and teach has to be true.

I do think that it’s important to try our best not to offend or hurt people with what we say.

And it almost seems like some Christians intentionally try to offend people with what they say

But our first question should always be:

Is it true?

Some things we say as Christians are harmful, because they represent Christianity in a wrong light.

And I think that saying, “I am the church” is one of those things.

Why do people say this?

One reason we use this slogan is because it’s just kind of a way we like to distinguish ourselves from other religions.

Many religions believe in the importance of a temple or some sacred building, so much so that this building is more holy than the ground on the outside of it.

So when people say, “I am the church”, they’re saying this:

“Having a God that lives inside of us distinguishes our religion and makes it better.”

Another reason people say this is to have an excuse not to visit the church building.

“God is everywhere, He lives in me, and I am the church, so I don’t have to wake up on Sunday morning and drag my feet to church.”

But this is just that – an excuse.

Also, that might go against what Paul said to do in Hebrews 10:25 about not forsaking the gathering together of the saints.

I think the main reason why some use this slogan so much is to prove a point:

“We can experience God anywhere, not just in the church building, and we need to stop making “going to church” our first priority as Christians.”

I agree with that.

But I don’t agree with the slogan – “I’m the church!”

Because in reality, I am not the church, and you are not the church.

Here are the reasons why, and why it’s not good to say this.

We don’t understand what a “church” is

Have you ever thought of that?

What is a church, and where the heck did this word come from?

The Greek word in our Bibles for “church” is ekklesia, and it just means “assembly”, or “gathering”.

The word, in and of itself, doesn’t carry a meaning of “a group specifically of Christians”, or “a place where Christians meet”.

It just means “assembly”. That’s it.

Jesus said, “On this rock, I will build my ekklesia. My church”.

In the book of Acts, the apostles were building the ekklesia. The church.”

Also in the book of Acts, an angry group of rioters who worshiped a pagan goddess known as Artemis formed an ekklesia. A church.

Wait… what?

It’s true. Beginning in Acts 19:23, it says that people in Ephesus got mad because the apostle Paul was telling everyone that pagan gods were not gods at all… there was only Jesus.

The people became furious, because they felt that Artemis and her temple there in Ephesus would be discredited.

But really, the riot began with people who feared that their pocket books would be affected from Paul’s teachings.

If they can’t make the shrines anymore and sell them to the citizens because people are being told that Artemis is nothing, they’re going to lose money.

Anyways, after the angry mob gathered together, it says in Acts 19:32:

The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.

That Greek world for “assembly”? Ekklesia.

So as you can, an ekklesia is just a gathering… of anyone.

So why doesn’t the Bible say “church” here in this scripture like it says almost everywhere else that ekklesia is used?

Because our English word “church” doesn’t fit the narrative of this false, pagan “assembly” in Acts 19.

Let me break off into a bit of interesting, fun history here.

Today, the English word “church” is a good translation to use here, but this word does have a bit of a dark history.

It comes from an old German word, kirche, which basically means, “belonging to God”.

Putting this old German word into English, it becomes “church”.

In the past when the English and Catholic Church were forming, they borrowed this old German word and called themselves “The Church of England” and the “Catholic Church”.

“Our group is what belongs to God.”

Now, there was a man named William Tyndale who began interpreting the Bible from Latin to English. At that time, only priests and clergy could read it.

He was frustrated that normal people couldn’t read the Bible. One of his famous quotes:

“I will cause a boy who drives a plow to know more Scriptures than the Pope.”

He asked the Bishop of London if he could translate the scriptures to English, and he was denied.

At this time, the Catholic Church was your only access to God. By keeping the Bible in Latin, they were able to control the common people by keeping them from knowing the scriptures.

Think about it. This way, they could tell you that the Bible says anything, and you would have to accept it as true, because you couldn’t read it.

Nevertheless, Tyndale translated the Bible into English anyways, and copies were smuggled into England.

One of the main reasons the Catholic Church hated his translations was because he used the word “congregation” for ekklesia.

The Catholic Church felt that this word that described a gathering of Christians should be translated as “church”.

Not because they thought it was more accurate, but because they thought that if the word “church” was not used, it would discredit them and cause their authority to come into question.

They wanted ekklesia to be “church” so it would seem more like their church was founded and had its roots in scripture.

Eventually, Tyndale was captured and tried for heresy. He was strangled, and then his body was burned. His last words were:

“Lord! Open the king of England’s eyes!”

I always found this story crazy. He believed so much that correct interpretations are important, that he chose to die for them.

Some of Tyndale’s translations were kept in the English Bible. One of those was the word “repent”. The Catholic Church had this word as “do penance”. But Tyndale got it right.

But sadly, his translation of “congregation” from the word ekklesia didn’t make it in the English Bible.

Even when the King James Bible came out, one of the rules that King James gave the translators was:

“The old ecclesiastical words to be kept; as the word church, not to be translated congregation”

Fast forward back to today.

In my opinion, in the time we’re living in, it’s OK to use “church” in certain places where ekklesia is used.

I say this because over the centuries and with the reformation, our view of the universal “church” and how we’ve come to see things has changed.

It’s now safe to use “church” here, because when we think of the “church” today, it’s just come to mean “the body of believers”.

Our understanding and usage of words change through time, so we don’t need to make a big deal out of the word “church”.

But I think we can learn three things from the story of Tyndale and his translation of ekklesia:

1. Correct translations are important

2. We still need to be aware of the original Greek word ekklesia, and what it really means

3. If you think about it, there’s still a wrong way that we are using this word “church” today

How are we using the word “church” wrong?

Again, people are saying, “I am the church.”

But remember, the Greek word just means “a gathering, or assembly.”

By yourself, you can never be “an assembly”.

Because you ain’t but one person.

We can never become a “church” until another believer shows up.

So when you’re sitting in a restaurant with another Christian, that’s a church.

When you’re at your local building where you gather to worship with other believers, that’s a church.

A gathering of believers.

But when you go fishing on a boat by yourself, a “church” is NOT on that boat.

It takes two to tango. That’s an old saying, but it’s still true.

So we need to establish first that we, by ourselves, are not a church. Mathematically, you need at least two to be a church. As Jesus said:

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

The other way we’re using this word wrong is because we might not understand what a church does.

What is the purpose of a church? And can one person, by himself, accomplish it?

The purpose of gathering with other believers is to be built up spiritually and soulfully.

I’ve always thought that church is more like a Home Depot where you go to get the supplies you need to build yourself up.

In the days of the disciples, they would have church to teach each other, encourage each other, and supply for each other.

They learned from one another and bore each other’s burdens.

Sometimes, you can’t bear your own burdens, or even supply for yourself spiritually or material-wise. That’s what the church is for.

And learning by yourself? Meh.

I’m beginning to see that it could be dangerous to lock ourselves away with ONLY the Bible, trying to get revelation from only the LORD.”

Hear me out on this.

When you just read your Bible and "learn from the Spirit", you're blocking everybody else out.

But the Bible says that the early church learned from each other, continued in the disciples doctrine, and preferred one another.

Sometimes when people say, “God showed me this”, what they’re really saying is, “This is the conclusion I came to.”

But scripture is of no private interpretation.

When you learn, you should feed off others as well.

Read books, not just the Bible. Listen to fellow believers, not just yourself or the Holy Spirit.

This is the way the disciples did it, because they realized that God could be speaking through others, as well.

I once read a cool book called Steal Like an Artist.

It says that no idea is an original idea. We know what we know and do what we do because of the ones who came before us.

That’s how the kingdom operates.

That’s how the church operates.

So why then do we think we are a church by ourselves?

It’s mainly based off this scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:19

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…

That’s the truth of the New Covenant. God is no longer living in a temple, some building, or stays up in heaven. He now lives in us, as Paul brought out:

2 Corinthians 6:16

For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM…”

All this is true, and it’s the best news ever.

To a Jew living in the times of Jesus, this was unheard of, and in some cases, blasphemy.

“You’re telling me that God now lives in us? He doesn’t live in our big, holy temple anymore?”

Yup.

But notice that Paul said that our bodies are a “temple”, not a “church”.

This is the big mistake that we’re making with this slogan.

Some people unknowingly liken the Old Testament temple with a New Testament church building.

And so others say, “That building is not the church. I’m the church!”

Well, no.

Neither one of these views are right.

According to these scriptures, we are “temples”, not one-man churches.

In the Old Testament, a temple was the place where God lived.

But Paul says, “Now, you are a temple, because God lives in you!”

Our battle is actually not trying to understand the church, but the temple.

The “church” has always been around, even in the Old Testament.

The body of believers, the Jews, were a church. They were the assembly.

Now, the assembly is made of both Jews and Gentiles. That’s us.

It’s almost as if the church (the gathering) has been renovated, improved, and given a new direction. But the temple has been demolished and made into something entirely new – us.

So individually, each one of us is a temple.

But together, we’re the church.

I also understand that some people do say, “We are the church!” That’s a correct statement, in and of itself.

But what most people mean when they say this is, “I am the church, even outside of the church building.”

This is not right.

“What’s the big deal? If how we say this slogan is good, what does it matter what we mean?"

Believe me, it matters.

I think I’m a bit of a semantics nerd, and I’m sure that makes some people mad.

But the reason why it’s important for you to say what you mean and mean what you say is because you should want people to interpret you correctly.

Using the correct phrases and words is a part of that.

Here are the quick reasons of why it’s a big deal to not use this slogan.

1. It’s wrong

Again, as Christians, we should always strive to be biblically correct.

And the fact that this slogan is not biblically correct should be enough for all of us to not use it anymore.

2. It might lead to other untrue thought patterns

Someone being told, “YOU are the church”, could walk away thinking, “Well, if I am the church, then I don’t need anybody else. It’s just me and God.”

“God lives in me, so the building is not important.”

There are even people out there who have made it their ministry to deconstruct the church as an organization, and they themselves do not attend church services.

But what’s funny is some of them still gather with people online, in houses, and still do live services on Facebook Live on Sundays at 10:00 AM.

They just don’t go to a building. Because the building and the organization sucks.

It’s almost as if deep down, they still believe that we need organization and each other.

3. It could hinder people from gathering

That brings me to this point.

Gathering with believers is still very important.

It’s commanded in the Bible.

You need that corporate fellowship, and just because you’re now the temple, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need the assembly.

Again, what is the purpose of the church?

There’s an anointing in togetherness. Yes, you’re powerful on your own.

But what if dozens of powerful people come together?

You should think of your gatherings with believers as sacred and powerful.

Heck, I even believe that we should think of the buildings that we gather in with respect and take care of them.

Yes, the ground outside of these church buildings is holy too, but if the building is going to be where we gather, then we should take care of it and distinguish it.

So here’s the deal

Be careful when you use the slogan, “We are the church.”

Stop saying, “I am the church.”

Start looking at yourself as a temple where God’s presence actually lives.

Think about that for a moment.

God lives in YOU.

I don’t know about you, but that just wrecks my life, in a good way.

Know that you still need the other believers and make an effort to gather with them. Listen to them.

Your world will change when you recognize God in you, and in others.

"But do I need to attend every service??"

When God says to "gather," he means that, as a general rule, we should always gather.

In other words, whenever the doors to your local body are open, you should be there.

You should go if they're open on Sundays and Wednesdays.

If they have a special men's or women's gathering, you should go.

You should go when they just want to fellowship or celebrate.

Now, hear me: I DO think that SOME churches overdo it.

They should not want you to live in the church every day of the week.

But I would say that if you go to the normal services and attend special gatherings...

... and if you're not living at the church to where you don't even function as a normal human being outside of church...

... and if you don't simply "clock in" to the services and never fellowship with anyone...

... and if you make time to work and be with your family...

... then this is good.

If you are in love with God and yielding to his Spirit, you will naturally want to attend and do it in a way that is balanced and according to his will.

You will not look for excuses to miss.

It will not be a struggle to find the time and the will to go and gather.

You will not say, "I have a headache so I'm not going," yet, if it was work and not church, you would still go to work with that headache.

Will there be times when you just can't go because of illness or extremely special circumstances? Sure.

But if this happens all the time, then something is wrong.

As a general rule, we should not forsake the gathering.

"What if there is no local church near me that is teaching truth?"

That is a great question!

This is where your individual walk with God comes in: You have to know what is biblical truth and what is not.

You also have to know what are deal-breakers, and what are not.

A "true church" will be a body where the leadership strives to make it like a new covenant, biblical place in word, beliefs, and deeds.

I would say that the most important thing to look for is the message: What are they teaching you every service?

Is not the message the most central aspect of a church service?

Are they teaching unbiblical things? Or things that probably are not that important?

Are they teaching that we're saved by grace, but that this salvation is also only "kept" by my good works?

Are they teaching weird, unbiblical things about orthodox beliefs, such as that God came to earth in a human body and had sex with Mary, thus, making Jesus? (see Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin in the chapter concerning Mormons)

But it's not always a question of whether their theology is correct.

Are they preaching only secular, practical things and using scripture to do so, such as, "how to start a business," "how to not be in a toxic relationship," or "how to be happy"?

The Bible might mention these topics, but these are minor subjects compared to the more major things that have more depth and content, such as Christ crucified, grace, eschatology, law, and others.

For example, the Bible does mention the importance of being a good spouse. It's in there.

But I don't believe you're being helped if you attend a church where there is a 10-week series on marriage, with a lot of psychology, secular statistics, and jokes mixed with three scriptures the minister took out of context to prove his point.

The minor topic of marriage stems from the major topic of the Gospel. And if you focus on the Gospel, your marriage will be good.

Here's a good example: I recently watched a service where a 9-week series on "going after your dreams" was preached.

ONE scripture was used that did have to do with "going after your dreams."

But the rest of the scriptures were used out of context to prove the minster's point.

And the scriptures were only about 3% of the entire hour-long message.

The rest was practical advice on how to achieve your dream of starting a business, having a healthy marriage, and so forth. Things you could learn outside of church in secular environments. Oprah stuff. Dr. Phil stuff. Tony Robbins stuff.

The minister even used quotes from secular influencers, such as Zig Ziglar.

The reality is that God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, but not if it is not in his plan for our life.

Truly, we should simply want what he wants, not want him to get in line with what WE want in our secular life.

So, the minister was saying some incorrect things, but overall, what he was saying was technically true...

... but still, the message was very "man-centered" and secular, and this is very unhelpful if the goal is to do God's work and be more like him.

And there was nine weeks of this.

So, you need to know truth, which requires you to study. And you need to be in place that teaches truth and major biblical things that will truly feed your spirit.

If you can't find one, consider doing this:

ONE: Perhaps God has called you to change a place (in a loving way).

What if you sat down and explained truth to the leaders?

Notice, I didn't say sow division among the members or be annoying toward the minister.

On at least two occasions, I have had people schedule mature sit-downs with me to explain why they thought I was not being biblical.

It was beautiful. No one cried. No one yelled. They said their side, then I said my side.

When it was done, they could not offer rebuttals to my view, but still "felt" that I wasn't right. So they left.

But there were no hard feelings. I love these people deeply, and I pray that they get open to things they might not like to begin with.

On other occasions, people have stood up and yelled in the middle of the service. Or they just left and ghosted me. Or they left and talked to others at the church, and said that they did not wish to talk to me about it because I "know too much."

These are the wrong ways to do things.

But who knows? Maybe you can help them (if you truly know the Bible).

SECOND: Compromise for a while.

I used to attend a church that I didn't fully agree with on everything.

However, I was there for about two years, and it was great. I felt that God sent me there to get "detoxed" from all of the bad doctrine I had been taught.

I felt that my purpose for being there was just to bask in his presence and get "simple" for a bit.

They did believe in one very big thing that was a deal-breaker to me, but I kept going, because they never once mentioned this topic during the message.

It was one of their beliefs, but it wasn't heavily talked about in the message or among the members.

Two years later, God put me where I needed to be, and I've been there for about 15 years.

So, where you're at could be temporary.

As long as you're not being "harmed," filled with toxic bad doctrine or behavior, or constantly getting secular, minor messages, a disagreement could probably not be that bad.

THIRD: Don't go anywhere and wait on God.

Now, don't take this and run with it!

Don't say, "OK, you see, I really don't have to go. Because everybody else is wrong but me!"

To give you an example, let me say this: I live in small town. But there are a lot of churches.

Many are religious. Things I don't agree with because I think they're unbiblical.

Others are too "secular" and they major on the "minors." I believe the messages are shallow and don't have that weight or "urgency" of God's mission.

These places don't even allow the gifts of the Spirit to operate.

They only seem to be interested in quick, secular messages, and are run more like a social club that wants to fill the building with a crowd and have fun rather than build a church.

Sorry, but I don't see them as a new covenant, biblical church like the one in the New Testament that sacrificed their lives and were sold out to Christ.

So, I would probably not attend these places, not because they are bad people, but because I feel that I would be wasting my time.

Other churches in my town seem to have leaders that appear slightly immature and do not care to learn the Bible.

So, I would probably just stay home. At least for a while. Until I could locate one nearby that I could call home.

I would do some searching. I would watch them online and probably even send them my offering.

I would pray about it, and if I feel led, I would start attending and get involved. I would also see if there was anyway I could help.

These are the things I would consider if you can't find a church to attend.

Lastly...

A great place to start learning some truth is my book, How to Understand the Bible in 30 Days.

Consider getting it so you can equip yourself and find a great church to attend.