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.