Matthew 16 is the first time in the New Testament that the word "church" is used. The word "church" comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" which means gathering or assembly. In the time of Jesus, it probably didn't mean the building on the corner of 11th and Eugene Streets...it probably meant a gathering of the faithful. And Jesus tells Peter that this gathering was to be expansive, full of energy, open to all without any barriers.
Lots of books and articles have been written on the nature and purpose of the church. And a complete review of this materials would have us here forever. So let's instead consider the "signs" of the church. The basic definition of being church is a gathering of believers called together to participate in a new age, a new exodus, the Kingdom of God. It means we're gathered to do more than just sing hymns and provide church school. It calls us to be active participants in the Kingdom of God. And that means responding to the needs of the world--be it our local community or the world at large. But if that's all we do, then how are we differnt from a social service agency? The ekklesia is called to share in a oneness with each other that is not necessarily sameness--rather, our gathering is enhanced and strengthened by the variety and diversity of gifts, skills and talents. Our gathering--our church--is open to all without barriers, and we are better for it. Can you imagine if we all shared the exact same vision, hopes, skills, political and idealogical beliefs? While it would make for easy meetings, we would eventually die off...we need that diversity to keep growing and serving the needs of the world around us.
But what about the building itself? Did Jesus really mean that he wanted a building? Did he envision high ceilings, pipe organs, fancy robes and prayer books? Some argue that the days of the church building are numbered. That between the economy and declining membership, the financial upkeep of a building is pure silliness...an attempt to hold on to the past. And maybe that's true. But the church building is meant to be a counter-cultural sign...unaffected by the expectations of society. It stands as a prophetic sign to the world that we--the ekklesia--are still working to bring about the Kingdom of God. It is also a sacramental sign that here in our gathering together, healing and reconciliation happen. And it is a sign of our relationship with God--we gather to be present to God and to experience God's presence. The church building calls us to remember why we are called together in the first place--to welcome all, to confess and be forgiven of our sins, to experience healing and to glorify God.
My personal hope for the church--the ekklesia--is that we do our ministry and our vocation as children of God in and among the world all week long, and that we gather in our church to be healed, forgiven and renewed. That is who I think Jesus is telling us we are. We are a rock all the time...not just on Sundays.