Church as an Acronym

What is the church?  The church is a gathering of people together in worship to God.  Simple, end of story, no need for books, articles, blogs, or silly little acronyms to describe this simple definition.  Yet, there are many books on the topic of church.  Many articles and blog posts try to depict the church as they see the church.  And by no means do we need silly little acronyms to describe such a complex and broadly defined meaning for church.  Except, an acronym is what I choose to use to describe such a simple yet complex meaning.

The Church.

C- Community
H- History
U- Universal
R- Repentant
C- Command for Justice
H- Holy

As depicted in Acts chapter two, the church resembles a community.  A closely-knit family of people that are willing to share with one another.  Provisions are made for those in needs, as well as always having a hand held out to pick up those who have fallen.  The community of the church has never been individualized.  What I mean by this, is church is not something that you can take with you and do at home by yourself.  The church has never proclaimed such a individualistic understanding until the modern era.  Jesus is not something the church can just possess.  But, the church as a community chooses to worship Christ.

The church is a community living in the history of the Early Church fathers, the Enlightenment era, and the twentieth century thoughts.  With a firm foundation set by these respected philosophers and theologians, no greater foundation has been established than that of Jesus Christ.  For, without the cross and resurrection the church would not be in existence.  Many churches can look to history as something to stand on theologically and more importantly by faith in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 With a foundation laid, there is a sense of calling to be together.  History provides not only an ability to have faith, but also brings all churches together under one head.  Christ is the cornerstone of the church that brings all nations, races, and beliefs together under one name (Ephesians 2: 19-22).  Jesus is Lord over the church that brings hope, peace, and love to all people.

For this reason, a recognition of our finite beings needs to be understood.  Humanity is surrounded by sin that we choose to participate in.  Through repentance, the church proclaims it's flaws to the very Creator and Savior that then redeems those willing to be saved and then sends them forth to proclaim the good news.

The good news is found in the message of justice.  Jesus not only hung around prostitutes and the poor, but Jesus spoke to the authority figures who oppressed those people.  I do not wish to say that the church should knock on the door steps of Congress to seeks justice.  However, I do wish to say I believe the church should practice acts of justice on it's own!  Political parties can only do so much, but the church has had the call to bring justice to the poor since the Exodus of Israel.  Why has the church begun to seek out other means to bring justice that bring the church away from the fields of service?  Let the church live justice by providing for the oppressed and needy.

Finally, the church is holy.  Not because of something the church has done, but because Jesus blesses the church (Acts 2).  God's blessings are on the church to live in worship, service and love.  If God's blessing is on the church, then worship should be about the praise to God who provides and blesses mercifully.