What Is Church?

Africa Inland Mission's most recent newsletter has a great article in it that I wanted to share here. It describes the similar questions I've been asking a lot over the last year as I travel abroad...
"What is Church?" by John Becker

Have you ever asked the question, "What is church?"

Sofas and tables removed, a couple dozen friends and neighbors cram together on the carpeted floor. As the tabla and dholaki drums begin to pound, the gathering sing "Khushi Khushi Manao," an Indian hymn calling the group to bolo bolo Masiha ki jai jai jai (sing your praises to Messiah with joy joy joy). After testimonies, some teaching and prayer, spicy aromas overwhelm the room as a colorful feast of curries and other delicacies is spread before the guests. Half at the satsang (spiritual gathering) were disciples of Jesus, the others were still following their Hindu, Sikh or Muslim faith-- but happy to join the celebration.

Is this church?

When a Muslim family chose to follow Jesus after watching the Jesus film, a local co-worker and I would meet in their home every week to teach the Bible and share fellowship together. It always involved a meal and prayer for each other. The gathering stated with five of us and quickly grew to eight as they shared their faith and invited the extended family. For various reasons, this family was not able to attend our conventional Sunday morning church service.

Is this church?

Thinking they were the only local followers of Jesus, the three Muslim background believers were hesitant to meet each other. But taking the risk, fears dissipated at the first meeting. Henceforth the three who had chosen to follow Isa al Masih (Jesus the Messiah) began to meet weekly in an olive grove outside the city walls. Each one in turn shared the Word. Then they prayed for and encouraged one another.

Is this church?

A few years ago I wouldn't have considered these "churches." I would beg to differ now. Let me explain.

...We are commissioned to "make disciples of all nations"-- not make churches of all nations. Everyone who places his/her faith in Jesus is a member of Christ's body, the universal Church. But in making disciples, the spirit-directed result is the gathering of these followers: the local church. But again, what ingredients make a church?

... A Somali nomad once said, "When you can put your church on the back of a camel, then I will think that Christianity is meant for us."

As a mission [organization] we concluded that church doesn't necessarily need four walls, a roof, and a pastor who has been to Bible School. So we set out to create a simpler definition of church: a community of disciples who know and reflect their identity in Christ through corporate worship and mission. Is this the definitive definition of local church? Probably not. Is it simplistic? Maybe. But we believe it is packed with Biblical truth and it has helped to shed our cultural biases and rethink our traditions so that "church" formation and multiplication can be experienced in every culture.

Most of the remaining unreached people groups will not be reached with a conventional and traditional model of church... We encourage our missionaries to envision "church" through the lens of the people they are serving.