Defining Church

The “classical” definition of the church is “the one, holy, catholic, apostolic church”. We hear and repeat this definition in the Nicene Creed: an important statement of faith of the whole church. It dates back to the 4th century.

But this definition makes no sense if we are only looking at ourselves as the frail, fragile, broken, damaged, impure people that we are. It only makes sense when we understand ourselves theologically (in “God-talk” terms) as being enfolded into the life of God.

In Baptism, we are enfolded into the life of God, incorporated into the Body of Christ. In Christ, we claim our unity and are responsible for working for the unity of all Christian people (one). In Christ, we claim our holiness and fervently pray that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we may be conformed to Christ (holy). In Christ, we dare to proclaim the good news to all the world as the universal good news for all people (catholic or universal). Through Christ and in the power of the Spirit, we are sent to worship, witness to and serve the Triune God as the people of God (apostolic or “sent”).

It’s easy to look at the church as a very human institution, and it is; but if that is all it is to us, then perhaps we are not looking through the eyes of faith.

Contemporary theologian, Rebecca Chopp talks about the church as a “community of emancipatory transformation [liberating change]”. Through our transformation in Christ, we are made the community of the church. As the church, we are called/sent to proclaim that transformation to the world. And even as we do that, we are engaged in seeking to live out that transformation through a process of “constant rending and renewal (reformation)” in the life of our community and the lives of each of its members.

Describing Church

So, how do you describe the church?

Sociologists will tell you our age, gender and class demographics. They may survey our opinions and analyse our “society”. All of these are valid methods for sociologists and we may find the data useful.

Organisational analysts will talk about our structures, our decision-making processes, and the distribution of power within churches as institutions. All of these are valid methods for organisation analysts
and we may find the data useful.

Business analysts will look at our reason for being in the context of our market, our success at delivering our product and the consequent cash flow. All of these are valid methods for business analysts and we may find the data useful.

But as the church, we must start with defining the church in relation to God, i.e. we must begin with a theological understanding of church; a definition written in “God-talk”.

Significant “God-talk” understandings of the church include:
• People of God;
• Body of Christ;
• Community of the Spirit;
• Herald of the Good News;
• Servant of the Servant Lord;
• Sacrament of Salvation.

In what way do you describe the church? How does that affect the role of the church in your life as a Christian? How does that affect your hopes and dreams for this community of faith—Armidale Uniting Church?