We are the church

‘In Christ Alone’ (Stuart Townend and Keith Getty) sung by Fu Lian Doble

‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Hebrews 10: 24-25

‘A gadewch i ni feddwl am ffyrdd i annog ein gilydd i ddangos cariad a gwneud daioni. Mae’n bwysig ein bod yn dal ati i gyfarfod â’n gilydd. Mae rhai pobl wedi stopio gwneud hynny. Dylen ni annog a rhybuddio’n gilydd drwy’r adeg; yn arbennig am fod Iesu’n dod yn ôl i farnu yn fuan.’

Hebreaid 10: 24-25

Fu writes:

I wonder what comes to mind when we think of the word ‘Church‘. Could it be the historical buildings filled with traditional, stained glass windows and straight-backed pews? Or could it be a huge auditorium with flashing lights and the latest musical instruments in the worship team’s hands? Most people would answer that a church is a building. After all, it’s what most dictionary definitions say. And yet, it is so much more than that. 

Last year, I joined a church plant in Manchester. To begin with, we started meeting in a house, as you will see from the photos in the video. From this beginning, we all learnt how much more important it is to be people-focused. The Bible says ”Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18: 20) 

This Easter saw churches empty up and down the country, but it also provided us with time to reflect on what the church actually is. The churches may be empty, but more importantly, so is the grave! We may be scattered, but together we are still very much the body of Christ. In a time where it feels like so many of us are scared or anxious, I encourage us all to keep looking upwards. To be loving and caring of those around us, to look for those in our communities who need help, to not point fingers or encourage racism, and most of all, to come together and be the Church.

I know it’s hard in this time where churches have moved online. What we ultimately need to flourish is human contact, after all, the Bible said “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10: 25). We look forward to the day when we can come together to worship in our churches again. That will be important. But God has not stopped talking to us, just because we’re online, and indeed these daily reflections have been helping us to listen to him, as well as reaching out to those who would not normally be in the same place together on a Sunday morning!

Accompanying this video are photos from St. Mary’s Church, Conwy, Llandudno Youth For Christ (Redefine Bible Study) as well as Revelation Church Manchester and University of Manchester CU. These all sum up the people who I hold dear in my heart because we all make up the Church. That’s you and me.

Prayer

Lord,
We pray that during this difficult time,
you give us your peace. 
For the frontline fighters working long shifts.
For the single parent of young children.
For all of us.
We thank you for the blessings and happiness
you have given us.
The blessing of being able to meet others
in the church family
and to encourage each other. 
Lastly, we pray for an outpouring of your love.
Thank you that even though things look different,
your love has not changed
because you yourself do not change.
We pray that you will continue to guide us
to those who need your love the most
and that in doing so,
we can come close to you and to one another.
Amen.