Church Types & Terms
I have been asked a lot of questions over the past few years about Church. I have been a part of Church since days after my physical birth, due in part to the fact that my father was a pastor. So I was attending church before I can remember and my upbringing included being taught that there wasn’t any good reason to miss a service. Though some of my views have changed over the years, I still believe that every believer needs to be connected with other believers on a regular basis if they are going to move Beyond Belief.
In the following paragraphs I will share my understanding of some flavors of church. I use the word flavors because I think each of the churches described here meet someone’s needs but may not fit other’s tastes. All of us have different preferences and needs from a good meal. The key is to find where you get fed best for your spiritual growth and maturity as a part of the Church at Large.
The Church at Large
Or you may refer to it as the Church Universal or The Body of Christ. This encompasses every believer and follower of Jesus. It doesn’t matter where they live of who they are it only requires faith in Jesus for salvation. None of our worship preferences include or remove us from the Church at Large, they merely reflect the cultural and social uniqueness of the people God has created.
Keep in mind that ALL teaching within the Church you gather yourself to must follow the Word of God in the Bible. My personal rule of thumb is that a teaching from the Bible should be verifiable from three locations in the scripture. This helps me ensure that what is being taught is God’s Word not mans.
Institutional Church
Or you may call it Organized Church, Traditional Church or Local Church. It is the building near you with the steeple. Well maybe not. Today Local Churches meet in Theaters, Schools, Shopping Centers, and even Warehouses. They gather at least once on Sunday mornings but in some cases they meet multiple times throughout the weekend. Activities progress in a traditional way with Music and a Message being the main events.
Make no mistake, although we use the word traditional, these gatherings can have dramatic variations in style. Music that is LOUD, soft, from the hymnal, contemporary, rock, country, jazz and the list goes on. Likewise the speaker may read poems or spit fire and brimstone or anything in between. This is about your preference, choose what grows you where you are at in your walk with Jesus.
Missional Church
While this term may be new to some as it has become more widely used in recent years. Missional Church is simple a gathering of believers who are focused on Mission. Missions could be, the poor, the sick, the hungry, the addicted, the mentally ill, the elderly or the home bound. There is literally no end to the possibilities to help our fellow man. Some would argue that all churches should be on mission but these churches are structured to get something done. This type of church may also function as part of the small group ministry of a large Local Church.
Organic Church
Okay now we are really stretching out there for some of you. Stop scratching your head and understand that this too is not a new term. You may hear this term associated with House Church but that is not actually what Organic Church is trying to achieve. Organic Church seeks strip away man made additives. It focusses back on how Jesus and his disciples lived and ministered. It may promote a daily Church lifestyle as more important than a weekly Church attendance.
Hope
The Church like anything we are part of can be plagued with problems. People even those with good intentions can make some painful errors. If you have been injured by some error in a church I encourage you to go to the top, JESUS. Seek in Him the forgiveness and comfort you need to continue your journey in the Church.
The Church is always in need of renewal just as I am. You see in reality we are one in the same, inseparable. Today, I have great hope for what Christ is doing in and through His Church to renew us all. So let’s all get in the game and be a part of a community of believers.
