Chapter Six: Being Church
Summary
No one is a Christian all by him or herself. We are Christians together, and we call that togetherness "church." While Christians make up the church, the church exists for others. As church, Christians work together to help make the kingdom of God a reality on earth. God's kingdom exists wherever people treat each other with love, respect, justice, dignity, and compassion. The church has not always embodied these kingdom values, and we should freely admit those failures, but overall the church has been a force for good in the world. The church also exists to worship God. In worship we are reminded of who we are and who God is. We praise God for the grace we have experienced and, as we leave worship, we reaffirm our calling to act as God's gracious agents of love in the world.
Questions addressed:
- What is the church?
- How is the church related to the "kingdom of God"?
- What role does the church have in public life?
- How does worship change us?
Resources from Popular Culture
Suggestions for Further Reading
Getting Involved