Redefined Meaning of "The Church"




Growing up in an Zimbabwean home, for me Church was equals putting on my Sunday best (special empathises on dressing to kill) and attending every Sunday with no fail. With most parents there's no negotiations, it is mandatory. Skipping is not an option. But I always wonder,  what exactly is The Church ?


If you were to ask people on the street, what is the church? They would probably say it is that building on corner Robert Mugabe road and Julius Nyerere road. Sometimes we use the word in that way, but we all know (or should know) that The church is not a building, but rather the people who meet in that building.


The concept of The Church is the one thing that is universal amongst all believers, whether they belong to the Pentecostals, Catholic or Methodist etc. The building is of much significance, and attending services is a vital aspect of Christian culture. It is what unifies us. 


Interesting enough, the concept of The Church was prior identified with prayer requests, relying on sermons, and of course, the meet and greet after the service. The coming of the pandemic saw a change in this religious culture. 


It has been a year since we have been in a globally declared pandemic, and daily life looks different than ever before. It had changed how we connect, interact, worship, sentiments on what a church is and, ultimately, spirituality. 


There is no predicting what the future hold. Now, imagine trying to explain this to your hardcore religious brethren depended on giving prayer requests and waiting for Sunday for sermons or open the Bible. 


Needless to say, the very definition of The Church is being redefined, in my opinion. A change in culture. It is high time we go back to embracing the biblically understanding of the Church, not a physical building.


People are getting more creative with truly authentic fellowship. It's made us refocus on connecting individually with people. Take time to check on the elderly in the congregation every couple of weeks to see what they need and how we can serve them. Pray for ourselves, reading the word. 


Perhaps the experience of 2020 was not what many planned. It's almost like God is sending everyone to their room for a time out. Maybe it is time that we needed to reset, recharge and reevaluate the way we love and serve the Lord our God. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Framed Generation!

Image
Judge: You being charged with counts of lazyness, entitlement, changing jobs like shoes, adrenaline filled junkies and a generation of no hope. How do you plead? Plea : Thank you your Honour for this opportunity. Firstly I feel like we surrounded by a glitter border; Looks good from the outside looking in, but all it is confinement in our thinking, ideas and entire existence; Of rules and expectations passed on from generation to generation; Stick to the know, a yearn for more is rebellion; A generation framed by our forefathers; constantly paying for their sins; Where corruption, violation of freedom of speech, graduates begging by the roadside and violation of human rights have been normalised; A curse of through painful toil we eat food from it the rest of our lives. Hands to mouth, hands to mouth, a routine we've only known; They ate the sour fruits, played with fire, gorged into our trust funds only for us to be called lazy and free spirits. Millenni
Read more

Maybe The Reason Why You’re Single Is Because You’re 'One Of The Guys’

Image
📸the.photographers.official  I’m a girl who has always been one of the guys, but also very much a girl; I don't really blend perfectly into either sides. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the club. I remember growing up, I would pick soccer or wrestling over playing with dolls. Hanging with the guys over girls. I still choose sweat pants and t-shirts over dresses. It’s apparently thought as unladylike in most parts of the world or rather a glorified brainwash to instil gender roles. After a couple of family interventions, a wardrobe revamp and shipping off to college I slowly embraced it. Because unfortunately the, ‘She will grow out of it’ seemed like it was never going to happen. The good thing about having guy friends is there are a bunch of perks, free 24/7 bodyguards on duty, a glimpse into the not so complicated mind of guys and less drama etc. However, too much of something can take a toll on how you look at things. ‘She is such a guy’ I have heard it a couple of time
Read more

To The Person Who Still Feels Alone In A Room Full Of Loved Ones.

Image
We spend most of our time working to keep food on the table, learning new skills or on our phones. Now amidst of this world chaos and pandemic we would think we are more connected than ever before, yet we feel more isolated. We live under the same roof and even reconnect with old friends, family members or colleagues, yet we feel like we have fewer intimate connections that generations before us. Surrounded but alone! If Corona has taught us anything, it’s that we have all been pushed to realize that we are surrounded by familiar strangers. Strangers who carry the same last name as ours but we don’t have any valuable connection with them. We are just lonely souls drifting within the same four walls. You can hear them breathing slowly, frantic typing on mobile phones, flash capture of selfies and music blasting but yet you can't feel their presence. Literally we are just roommates cohabitating in the same house. Why do we feel alone? You crave closeness I hope
Read more