DOING CHURCH

by Prof Dennis Lee, MMS Field Director; Regional Director (East Asia); and Director (Strategic Planning & Capacity Building). He worships at Kum Yan Methodist Church.

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“Christians go to church on Sundays.” In this statement, the word “church” refers to a building used for public Christian worship—a noun. When we say, “Let’s build a church!”, do we mean constructing a physical structure? Or do we mean strengthening the faith of an assembly of believers? What do we really mean by “church”?

A “church” can refer to:a. A building used for public Christian worship.b. An assembly. In the New Testament, the word “church” is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia (ἐκκλησία), meaning “church” or “assembly” —a gathering of people, particularly in a Christian context (e.g. “To the church of God” – 1 Corinthians 1:2).c. “A circle of chairs facing outwards” – Michael Green, Professor of Evangelism at Regent College, 1987–1992 (emphasising the outreach role of the church).

Let’s DO church!

What does the Church (as an assembly or community of believers) do? What is its purpose? According to Scripture, the Church has a threefold purpose: the exaltation of God, the edification of the saints, and the evangelisation of the world. (Source: https://harvest.org/know-god-article/thepurpose-of-the-church)

a. The exaltation of God God has called us to live “for the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12). We are here to glorify and know the God who created us. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

b. The edification of the saints Paul’s goal was not merely to evangelise, but to “present every person mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11–12)

c. The evangelisation of the world Jesus commissioned us to share the hope of salvation with others. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations... teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you...” (Matthew 28:19–20)

The Church as an Assembly

Biblically, the term “church” always refers to an actual assembly or gathering. Many assume that the “church in Rome” or “church in Colossae” referred to all Christians in that city. However, Scripture presents a more nuanced picture.

In Romans 16, Paul sends greetings to multiple Christian groups in Rome— Phoebe of the church at Cenchreae, Prisca and Aquila, and the church that meets in their house. So, there were several assemblies in Rome. His letter is addressed “to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). There is no mention of “the church in Rome”.

Similarly, Colossians 4:15 mentions “the church in Nympha’s house”, and Philemon 2 refers to “the church in your house”. Yet, Paul does not write “to the church in Colossae” but to “the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae” (Colossians 1:2).

By contrast, Paul did write to the church in Thessalonica and Corinth: “To the church of God that is in Corinth…” (1 Corinthians 1:2)

In Corinth, the letter indicates a single, identifiable gathering:• “When you are assembled…” (1 Corinthians 5:4)• “When you come together as a church…” (1 Corinthians 11:18)• “If the whole church comes together…” (1 Corinthians 14:23)• “Let all things be done for building up.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

When Paul wrote to Christians who did not meet together as one, he refrained from addressing them as “the church”.

The Church is More Than a Gathering

While a church is a group of Christians assembling regularly, it is more than just a meeting. The Church is a body of believers bound together in mutual commitment—accountable to one another and to Christ.

In Acts 5:12–13, we read that the Jerusalem church was gathered “all together in Solomon’s Portico”, and the rest “dared not join them”. The group knew who belonged— and who didn’t. Acts 6:2 says, “the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples”, indicating a defined group.

The Church also gathers to partake in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17–34), and is led by elders and deacons who teach sound doctrine and equip the saints (1 Timothy 3; Titus; Ephesians 4:12).

A biblical church:• Gathers regularly• Celebrates the Lord’s Supper• Commits to one another as Christ’s body• Has godly leadership• Exists to glorify God, build up believers, and fulfil the Great Commission

Historical Perspectives on the Church

Across Christian traditions, a church is not just a random gathering—it is a committed community. For example:

• John Calvin: “Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered… a church of God exists.” (Source: John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion & 2, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, vol. 1, The Library of Christian Classics (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 1023.)

• Augsburg Confession (1530): “The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments rightly administered.” (Source: Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations, vol. 3 (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1882), 12.)

• Methodist Articles of Religion (1784): “The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered...” (Source: Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations, vol. 3 (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1882), 810.)

• Swedish Baptist Confession (1861): A church is a union of believers covenanted together to obey Christ, choose leaders, practise church discipline, and promote the Gospel. (Source: W. J. McGlothlin, Baptist Confessions of Faith (Philadelphia, American Baptist Publication Society, 1911), 367.)

Missions: Church Planting and

Professor Michael Green once likened the Church to a circle of chairs facing outwards—a vivid image of a Church that reaches out.

The mission of the Church is to glorify God by making disciples and establishing communities that obey Christ. Mission agencies like MMS, in partnership with local churches, send missionaries to evangelise, disciple, plant churches, and serve local communities.

Doing church includes doing missions.

Doing church includes doing missions—church planting in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission.

Doing Church the Right Way

Being part of the Church is not just about attending a worship service or joining a small group. It involves commitment, service, love, and outreach. It means being part of a body where we are known, accountable, and equipped for ministry.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24–25) So if you haven’t yet committed to a local church, would you ask the Lord to help you take that step today?