What does the word “church” mean to you? It actually has two meanings. A community of faith that gathers on Sunday is called the church, members of Christ’s Body, and we also call the facility in which we worship… the church.

I have worshipped in large brownstone facilities with life-size statues and stained-glass windows, and I have worshipped in wooden structures with few ornamental objects. But the most important part of “church” is the community within.

In the 70s a spiritual revival took place over parts of the Northeast, and I remember attending a Sunday service in a huge auditorium. I thought I was going to a traditional church; instead, we found that the Spirit of God had mightily taken over their church facility, and an auditorium, with seating for one thousand people, was necessary to hold their entire congregation!

The material definition of “church” is indeed the building in which we worship God, but the spiritual definition is far greater. In the words of Billy Graham:
The important thing is not how we do it (church), but the sincerity and depth of purpose with which we do it, and we should each find and join the church in which as individuals we can best accomplish this. A stable church is built up when the members of the congregation recognize that it is their mutual love of Jesus and the sincere desire to follow in His steps that holds them together.

Well said, Mr. Graham! AMEN!

About the author: Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is the priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.