'Church' Is a Verb
It is a common figure of speech—known as synecdoche—to use the word for part of something to refer to the whole, or vice versa. For example, a car might be called “wheels” or the New York Yankees might just be called “New York.” The term ‘church’ is often used in this way. The problem is, while everyone knows a car is more than wheels and New York is more than a baseball team, we’re not all that clear on what we mean by ‘church.’ And our variable use of the word can be misleading and reinforce unhelpful assumptions.
If you’re wondering whether I’m about to propose an exhaustive ecclesiology, fear not. I have neither the space here nor expertise to take on such a task. I do, however, want to suggest that we consider more dynamic, active dimensions to our definition of ‘church.’
There are three uses of the term ‘church’ that I hear most often. First, we say ‘church’ when we mean the building where worship and other activities take place. Even the rise of remote worship hasn’t stopped us from referring to the church as real estate even though we know it isn’t. Second, we talk about going to ‘church’ when we mean participating in worship. And third, we refer to the ‘church’ variously to indicate a local congregation, a denomination, or the global Body of Christ. While the latter is perhaps most accurate, it doesn’t do much to illuminate what the church actually is.
I want to suggest a different and potentially helpful way to use the word ‘church’ that might clarify and remind us of some important truths: use ‘church’ as verb. Throughout Scripture, the church is described not in static terms but with reference to what it does. The church is defined by its actions. From descriptions of its earliest incarnations to visions of its eschatological consummation, the church is what it does. The church is defined by whom its participants worship and how they love one another and their neighbors.
We are the church when we rehearse and celebrate the story of our redemption through Christ. We are the church when God’s abundant love for all people is evident in the way we care for those in need. And because we don’t do either of these things perfectly or even particularly well at times, we are the church when we embrace and give thanks for God’s persistent and sufficient grace. ‘Church’ is a verb. We are never more connected to the Body of Christ than when we are actively serving, worshipping, celebrating, learning, growing, and loving—when we are ‘churching’ together.
Understanding church as a verb has profound implications. Participating in the practices of the church become not merely a means to some other end but a participation in the Body of Christ. Inclusion in the church community becomes an open, dynamic, ongoing process. Worshipping together becomes more than a rehearsal of defining beliefs or even a chance to share the Good News; it becomes an opportunity to practice together what it means to live as followers of Jesus. And ‘churching’ doesn’t start or stop at the building door or end with the benediction; it is an unfolding series of opportunities to participate in God’s reign of love and justice with all our neighbors.
