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What is the Church and It’s Purpose?

Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

More posts by Ron Edmondson

Join the discussion 8 Comments

  • ronedmondson says:

    Thanks for sharing

  • In reviewing the Constitutions of several churches, my impression is that they may have come about to define the Church's relationship to the civil government and are essentially articles of incorporation. For example, they often cover such things as Trustees and property disputes. This leads me to wonder if these documents only came into being because of the practice of church incorporation, as this requires the Church to set up corporate officers and by-laws. However, that is just speculation on my part. Yet I still wonder if a Constitution is at all necessary for an unincorporated Church.

  • ronedmondson says:

    Thanks David.

  • David says:

    Ron, You nailed it in your message. I especially liked how you encouraged people to love the church in spite of its flaws. Thanks for sharing this message.

  • A. Amos Love says:

    Ron – Just something to think about.

    IMO – The question asked – *What* is the Church and it’s purpose? – Puts the focus on a thing.

    How about – *Who* is the Church and our purpose? Puts the focus on people. God’s people.
    God doesn’t dwell in buildings made with hands. Jesus lives in you and me. Aren't we now The house of God?
    Aren’t we “The Church of God,” purchased with the Blood of Jesus? Ac 20:28 NOT a building or organization?

    When you report: “Last year more *churches* in the US opened then closed.” The churches being talked about are 501 (c) 3, non-profit, tax deductible, Religious $ Corporations. Businesses, things, with rules, regulations, hierarchy, which looks like something other then “we’re all brethren” hearing His Voice and following Jesus.

    Should “Disciples of Christ” call a $ Corporation – “The Church?” 😉

    Did Jesus shed His Blood for a building, an organization, an institution,
    a denomination, or a $ Corporation? 😉

    Or did Jesus shed His Blood for you and me? His Church…

    That’s why it is so hard for the Religious System to come up with a definition for “Church.” They are modeling it after the church of Rome and trying to reform a broken model. No matter how much reformation – It’s still broken.

    In the Bible, No one ever “Did church.” Went to church. Joined a church. Gave money to a church.
    Oy Vey!!! 😉

    In the Bible, believers are “the Ekklesia od God,” The Church of God, the body of Christ, the redeemed of the Lord, the Israel of God, the sons of God, and Jesus is the head of the body, the Church. The ekklesia, the called out one’s.

    IMO – In the US, they are NOT opening churches. In the US they are opening Corporations. 🙁

    Jer 50:6
    My people hath been *lost sheep:*
    “their shepherds” have caused them to “go astray”

    1Pet 2:25
    For ye were as “sheep going astray;”
    but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

    And other sheep I have,
    which are not of this fold:
    them also I must bring,
    and they shall “hear My voice;”
    and there shall be "ONE" fold,
    and "ONE" shepherd.
    John 10:16

    One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice – One Leader

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

  • Oleg Shcheglov says:

    Ron i have a question. Im a member of a russian church in Salem OR and there is alot of thing i dont like in my church. Our church is closed to much in itself that we are not communicating with churches that has even a little different teaching that our church. i think our church thinks that we have the perfect teaching and there is no need to communicate. and there is also bunch of other problems. like we spent all money to get more comfortable in church and it got so far that we dont teach mission and dont really have it. there are guys in our church including me who tried to bring changes but nothing worked out. what do you think is the best way to do? keep on trying to change something or just quit and go to the different church. i understand that there is no perfect churches out there and people are always complain about thing they dont like but i think our church is way out its way and purpose. thank you

    • ronedmondson says:

      My very humble advice is that if you can't support the vision, direction and leadership of the church you aren't a good fit for the church. If it's immoral, that would be different, but if it's style and direction, there are other churches.