When I think of the word church, my mind immediately focuses on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). He left for the church the task of reaching a lost world. We have been miserable failures in His final command to us before the ascension to witness to the “uttermost parts of the Earth” (Acts 1:8). Perhaps the mission of the church and for each of us as Christians is best summed up in the phrase “To know God and to make Him known.”

2. Why do you think the “Average Joe” only thinks of a building when the word church is mentioned?

We ask: “Where do you attend church”, or “Where is your church?” We have a sing at the front of “our church” property that reads: “Farley Community Church”. Down the street, the words on the sign read “Aldersgate United Methodist Church”. We invite people to attend our church. We come to the church for worship. We have “Children’s Church”. Why would the Average Joe not be confused with the mixed message we send?

3. Do you feel a greater sense of reverence, awe, inspiration, or the presence of God in a church building than you do outside a church building? Explain.

Not really. Our worship center is multi-purpose. There is an AWANA square on the floor, the chairs are put out and taken up each week so our after school ministry can have room for recreation and our preschool ministry can play in the mornings. We eat our fellowship meals here and our boys race their “pine racers”. But there is the presence of God among us as we gather as the “ekkl?sia” at Farley to worship. Today at lunch, a seven year old boy asked me when we would celebrate the Lord’s Supper. He had missed it when we observed communion two weeks ago. The child’s question gave me a holy hush. As children at music camp quoted John 3:16 this morning, I felt the presence of God among us in that very special moment. It’s God’s church, the people, not the building, that creates in me that sense of awe and wonder, and a holy hush. It’s flesh and blood and spirit, not mortar, bricks and dry wall.

4. Why do you think that the liberal view of the church emphasizes the social aspects of Christianity and disregards the doctrinal? Explain.

Our horizontal relationship toward God should always take precedence over the vertical relationship to our fellow man. Churches that reverse this are no longer Christian; in that, they now worship works done to others over adoration of our Creator/Savior. To do so is idolatry. From The Church by Donald Bloesch, page 105, “For General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, a church that is not passionately involved in ministering to the material needs of people falls drastically short of its commission to bring the gospel to all people.” “The demonstration of Christian love prepares the way for commitment to the truth of the gospel as well as follows this commitment.” From page 121, “What we owe to God takes precedence over what we owe to our neighbor, but the former without the latter becomes purely external observance devoid of inner power. Although we are justified by faith alone, faith does not remain alone but takes the form of obedience to God and His law as well as service to our neighbor. We must avoid the traps of both cheap grace and works - righteousness.

5. Many people in the church have been on short term mission trips. Depending on what organization one goes with, these trips will emphasis different things. Some trips will go and without a word benevolently help build houses, bring medical care, or do carpentry repair work. Some mission trips emphasize only proclamation of the Gospel to those in the streets. Some do both. Discuss the agenda of mission trips that you have been on in the past.

As a Youth Minister, I lead mission trips that concentrated on Backyard Bible Clubs and Mission Vacation Bible Schools in the inner city areas of Gary, Indiana, Baltimore, MD, and in the housing projects and churches in New Orleans. Our focus was primarily evangelistic, but we worked with churches and Christian ministries that followed up with families we reached, especially in New Orleans. I believe the work was productive in those cities, but those mission trips changed the students with whom I worked. They came back home and did Backyard Bible Clubs and worked in VBS. They worked at the Boys and Girls Clubs here in Huntsville, AL, the Salvation Army, the Rescue Mission (painting and repair work). The church I have now pastured for 12 years has done house repair, clean-up, hurricane relief in Bayo LaBatre and Pearlington, MS, as well as food and clothes distribution. But the emphasis is always to seek ways to share the Gospel and see the lost come to know the savior.

Christ commanded us to “teach and make disciples”. Our social efforts, if they are not focused on this great commission, becomes mere humanistic efforts.

6. How does one’s view of the Church effect what their agenda might be on a mission trip? Discuss.

This was quite thought provoking. The second year we worked in the Cooper Housing Project in New Orleans, we were met with children who came to the BYBC wearing the name tags we had given them the year before. Our emphasis had been evangelistic, but the love of Christ shown by our students impacted those children and their families. If my concern is only humanitarian/social, then I am exhibiting an understanding of the Church described by Bloesch (p.110) as “latitudinarianism, the subordination of doctrinal allegiance to life and character.” If I “fail to get my hands dirty” then I fail to understand Christ’s answer to the question; “Who is my neighbor?”

7. How does the distinction between the invisible and visible church help you in your understanding of the Church? Discuss.

As Southern Baptist’s we claim over 15 million in our visible church. The fact that we cannot even locate half of them gives evidence that many are not of the invisible church. The “Easy Believism” exemplified by “Praying a prayer and you will be saved”, has increased the numbers of those who are on a church role but are not included in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

8. Read Matt. 13:24-30. How does this passage apply to the visible and invisible church?

I have no idea who in my church has truly trusted Christ as Savior. From the parable, I see it is not my place to make that determination. God will do that in judgment. I must be faithful to the clear proclamation of the Gospel.

9. How was your thinking challenged the most by this lesson? Explain.

I enjoyed the lesson. I appreciate your reading lists for each class. Although I often disagree with Bloesch, I am thoroughly enjoying The Church. The chapters on the “Marks of the Church” and chapter 9 on “The Demise of Biblical Preaching” we excellent. Thank you for your work.

1. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when the word church is mentioned?

I think of the visible church…a “place” where worshiping, preaching, sacraments are found on a regular (weekly) basis.

2. Why do you think the “Average Joe” only thinks of a building when the word church is mentioned?

I think this is mostly due to the nature our language and terminology. We say, “go to church”, or “build a church” and the images that come to mind are the physical building.

3. Do you feel a greater sense of reverence, awe, inspiration, or the presence of God in a church building than you do outside a church building? Explain.

No, not usually. In certain “church” settings, such as a beautiful cathedral with stained glass windows, specialized lighting and candles, I find it easier to focus on the presence of God, but this has more to do with a conscious effort to focus on Him, not the building. I can be feel this sense of reverence in the middle of a beautiful forest too.

3a. Do you think that God wants us to feel differently inside a church building than outside?

No. I do believe God wants us to worship Him with intention, purpose and regularity, which may be easier to do “in” a church at a designated time, but I also believe God wants us to realize we are in His presence at all times. The book: The Practice Of The Presence Of God, by Brother Lawrence, is a great little book about how to focus on God’s constant presence in our lives.

4. Why do you think that the liberal view of the Church emphasizes the social aspects of Christianity and disregards the doctrinal? Explain.

A liberal view of the church sees orthopraxy as more important than orthodoxy. They believe the church is built on the common practice of carrying out Christ’s mission of love, mercy and acceptance.

4a. How have you experienced or witnessed this?

In my church I have seen an increased emphasis on the “missional” aspects of our ministries (men, women, youth, small groups). This encourages each ministry to think about reaching out to people in the community through service and fellowship to establish relationships that may eventually lead to an opportunity to share the Gospel.

5. Many people in the church have been on short term mission trips. Depending on what organization one goes with, these trips will emphasis different things. Some trips will go and without a word benevolently help build houses, bring medical care, or do carpentry repair work. Some missions trips emphasize only proclamation of the Gospel to those in the streets. Some do both. Discuss the agenda of mission trips that you have been on in the past.

I have not been involved in mission work, however I can speak of the agenda of missions sponsored by my church. We have sent groups on mission trips with all three types of agendas. We sent a group on a short term trip to a predominantly Muslim section of London, England with the sole purpose of sharing the Gospel. We sponsor a biologist assisting medical professionals in Ethiopia who are treating AIDS patients. He is primarily concerned with the treatment of these suffering people, but also shares the Gospel as opportunities develop. We have also sent groups to Belize to help build a school with little or no expectation of sharing the Gospel.

6. How does one’s view of the Church effect what their agenda might be on a mission trip? Discuss.

A liberal church that values orthopraxy over orthodoxy will emphasize good works. An evangelical church that views church as “the body of Christ composed of all who have been justified by faith” will emphasize the Gospel.

7. How does the distinction between the invisible and visible church help you in your understanding of the Church? Discuss.

I think this is an important distinction because our desire is to help the expansion of the invisible church…the “sum total of all true believers” and not be distracted by expanding the visible church. We can excel at gathering large congregations but if we are not transforming them into true believers who reflect the image of Christ, we are not using our time and resources appropriately.

8. Read Matt. 13:24-30. How does this passage apply to the visible and invisible church?

This parable reminds me that the visible and the invisible church will, at times, occupy the same “field” or physical space. They will both grow and appear to be doing the same things, but at the “harvest” they will be separated. It is interesting that in the parable the two seem visibly distinguishable, whereas in our world we can’t always make that distinction.

9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.

Although my church is affiliated with a mainline denomination (PCA), I consider it to be relatively conservative and orthodox. This lesson, however, allowed me to see my church from some new perspectives and helped me understand how we tend toward liberalism and how we tend toward a more evangelical mode.

1. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when the word “church” is mentioned? Why?

The first thing that comes to mind is my local church and the reason for this is because of all the definitions for the word, this is the one that affects my life most directly.

2a. Why do you think the “Average Joe” only thinks of a building when the word “church” is mentioned?

The term “Average Joe” could be defined in a number of ways but for this question I’ll assume it means someone who in American culture is familiar with churches and denominations but is not really that involved; someone not especially religious if at all. This person would probably think of church buildings first and maybe various denominational groups, such as the Roman Catholic Church.

2b. How has the Church itself contributed to this misunderstanding?

It has probably done this by not more clearly defining what the New Testament means by the word and how it is used. Also, as time progresses words often take on new meanings that to varying degrees obscure the original meanings.

3a. Do you feel a greater sense of reverence, awe, inspiration, or the presence of God in a church building than you do outside a church building?

I would say that this is true in my experience. I was raised Roman Catholic and the impression that Jesus Christ was present in the host kept in the altar there is one reason I have this sense of reverence in a church. Back then, everything seemed to call for a worshipful attitude including never going into the church without dipping my fingers in the holy water, kneeling briefly, and making the sign of the cross. Even today in the Baptist church I attend I’m careful to treat the sanctuary as someplace special because this is a place used for worship.

3b. Do you think that God wants us to feel differently inside a church building than outside?

I think we should maintain an ongoing spirit of reverence, awe, inspiration and the presence of God wherever we go. As believers in Christ, we are never free from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit so this is something we should continually remind ourselves of. But often it’s easy to “ramp up” these emotions when we gather together in worship. I think it can be mostly due to conditioning.

4a. Why do you think that the liberal view of the Church emphasizes the social aspects of Christianity and disregards the doctrinal?

The liberal view has given up the concept of biblical inerrancy and infallibility but yet hangs on to the philanthropic and humanitarian ministries of the church. Since the reliability of the Bible is doubted, doctrine no longer matters as much. Instead they apparently often see doctrinal differences as unnecessarily divisive and unhelpful.

4b. How have you experienced or witnessed this?

I really haven’t as I have spent my life in three denominations that stressed the importance of correct doctrine. As I mentioned earlier, I was raised Roman Catholic, briefly converted to Mormonism and am now Southern Baptist so the emphasis in these three groups did not involve the social gospel as much as some liberal groups.

5. Many people in the church have been on short term mission trips. Depending on what organization one goes with, these trips will emphasize different things. Some trips will go and without a word benevolently help build houses, bring medical care, or do carpentry repair work. Some mission trips emphasize only proclamation of the Gospel to those in the streets. Some do both. Discuss the agenda of mission trips that you have been on in the past.

I personally have not gone on mission trips but those that have gone in the Baptist churches I’ve been involved with have usually been involved with home or church repair and with aiding the local ministries of the churches there, often with Vacation Bible School. It has never been purely a humanitarian effort; sharing the Gospel has always been an important part of it, as well as an instructive experience for those who go, especially the young people.

6. How does one’s view of the Church affect what their agenda might be on a mission trip?

It depends on what one believes the mission of the Church is. Is the Church’s main mission to spread the Gospel or is it mostly to address humanitarian needs, and allowing those who have received such aid their previous beliefs unchallenged? This might be the case of those religious groups who believe that there are many paths to God rather than the only one being through Jesus Christ and His atonement on the cross.

7. How does the distinction between the invisible and visible church help you in your understanding of the church?

One can’t go through all the New Testament passages that define “church” without coming to the conclusion that at least two or maybe three interrelated groups are being referred to. The distinction helps me to understand how unbelievers can be part of the church on earth but not a part of the glorified church in heaven.

8. Read Matthew 13:24-30. How does this passage apply to the visible and invisible church?

This is the parable of the wheat and the tares. Someone has pointed out that the tares mentioned in the parable were probably a type of grass known as “bearded darnel”. It is similar in appearance to rye grass and since wheat is also a type of grass it would be hard to tell the difference as they first sprout up. But later on, the differences grow more and more apparent. In a similar way it has always been obvious that there are those in the church who profess to believe in Christ but there lives show little or no evidence that they really do. At the end of the age, these will be “weeded out” into eternal punishment and only the genuine believers will be allowed entry into the final, invisible (at present) Church.

9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson?

Having mostly a Southern Baptist mindset, it is pretty clear to me what the NT means by the word, “Church” in its various uses. But this lesson showed me that to interact with others of a different view and to explain this definition is not so easy and also in the fact that many through the centuries have struggled with this point of doctrine.

The first thing I think of when the word church is used is my home church and the group of people I worship with on Sunday. I think this has to do with the contemporary meaning of church. I “go” to church on Sunday and the people I worship with on Sundays are “my church” and are a part of “the church”.

2. Why do you think the “Average Joe” only thinks of a building when the word church is mentioned?

I think most people identify church as the place people go to worship or the building they go to. I think this is mainly due to the fact that church is considered something a person does. I think we have a feeling that we do church more so than we are the church.

3. Do you feel a greater sense of reverence, awe, inspiration, or the presence of God in a church building than you do outside a church building? Explain.

I do. I think it actually increases when a I see a more spectacular building also. I enjoy “high church” and the sense of awe it brings. I like visiting old Spanish missions, and the great European cathedrals. I find them awe-inspiring. I find it reminds more of who God is and how great He is.

4. Why do you think that the liberal view of the Church emphasizes the social aspects of Christianity and disregards the doctrinal? Explain.

I think this view of the Church is very unifying. I think a vast majority of people find social service to be a laudable activity. This avoids controversy and makes people feel welcome in their church and gives them a sense that they are doing good. All of these things are fine, as long as Christ is the focus. I hope that it is. I know a lot of people in these types of churches that have done more for the poor and needy than my church which would consider itself more conservative.

5. Many people in the church have been on short term mission trips. Depending on what organization one goes with, these trips will emphasis different things. Some trips will go and without a word benevolently help build houses, bring medical care, or do carpentry repair work. Some missions trips emphasize only proclamation of the Gospel to those in the streets. Some do both. Discuss the agenda of mission trips that you have been on in the past.

I have done many short term mission trips and plan on doing many more. Generally, I make myself available for the missionaries in the place we are visiting for whatever type of service they deem appropriate for me to do. I know my church goes to Mexico a couple of times a year and brings a physician and dentist with them to provide medical services to the Indian population in Chihuahua. I think its great, and they use it as a teaching tool to preach Christ.

6. How does one’s view of the Church effect what their agenda might be on a mission trip? Discuss.

Well, a mission trip implies you have a mission! What that mission is will depend on what you do. I have mostly been on trips of service, where I help with some sort of activity to support a mission so that they may have more opportunity to share Christ. I know of churches that do purely service and do purely preaching. All of which is fine, I just pray that Christ is in whatever activity that is being done.

7. How does the distinction between the invisible and visible church help you in your understanding of the Church? Discuss.

I think it is an important distinction. There are several definitions of the word church and I think it is important to make sure we stay clear on what definition of church we are discussing. The Bible seems to make references to the body of Christ globally and to individual churches in individual cities.

8. Read Matt. 13:24-30. How does this passage apply to the visible and invisible church?

I believe this parable refers to unbelievers worshipping amongst believers in a visible church context. At the Judgement, Christ will reveal those who are the true church and those who were in the visible church but not the invisible church.

9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.

Having a clear understanding of the visible and invisible church is key in this discussion. Also, the mission of the church is going to be a discussion I would like to explore more.

1. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when the word church is mentioned? Discuss why? When the word church is mentioned I think of my fellowship of believers, the particular church that I attend. When I think of The Church, I think of the Universal Body of Christ.

2. Why do you think the “Average Joe” only thinks of a building when the word church is mentioned? Lack of awareness as to spiritual nature of The Church, the Body of Christ.

How has the Church itself contributed to this misunderstanding?

3. Do you feel a greater sense of reverence, awe, inspiration, of the presence of God in a church building than you do outside a church building? Explain. Some church buildings do bring on a sense of awe, however, for the most part I feel the same inside or out. The occasion which brings me together with believers has more influence on my state of reverence.

Do you think that God wants us to feel differently inside a church building than outside? Explain. I think God wants us to be humble towards him at all times, both inside and outside of any church building.

4. Why do you think that the liberal view of the Church emphasizes the social aspects of Christianity and disregards the doctrinal? Explain. The caring for the needs of society are a priority no matter what Christian View, however, the Liberal has sacrificed their scriptural roots for cultural expedience. Performing social good then becomes a work because it is a good thing and a good Christian thing to do. Whereas, social good flowing outward from a platform of faith, are fruits not works.

How have you experienced or witnessed this? Give examples. Yes. I have discovered that while choosing Sunday School materials, much of the material is application oriented.
Application without understanding the scriptural roots is the same as works.

5. Many people in the church have been on short term mission trips. Depending on what organization one goes with, these trips will emphasis different things. Some trips will go and without a word benevolently help build houses, bring medical care, or do carpentry repair work. Some missions trips emphasize only proclamation of the Gospel to those in the streets. Some do both. Discuss the agenda of mission trips that you have been on in the past. I have been on no mission trips.

6. How does one’s view of the Church effect what their agenda might be on a mission trip? Discuss. Not enough personal data to answer.

7. How does the distinction between the invisible and visible church help you in your understanding of the Church? Discuss. The invisible church past and present are together the Church Universal, the Body of Christ. I belong to the Invisible Church primarily. I do the work Christ has designated for me through the visible church, my local body of fellowship.
God’s presence is in all.

8. Read Matt. 13:24-30. How does this passage apply to the visible and invisible church?
This would not apply to the invisible Church as it is made up on only believers. The visible church, however, is made up of all shades of folks having various reasons for attending a church organization, believers and non-believers.

9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain. Getting a grip on what the liberal view is and how it is displayed in action is probably the most challenging part of the current lesson. Being rooted in the Scripture, I find putting it on the shelf as unimportant is very difficult to understand.

1. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when the work church is mentioned? Discuss why?
–Not sure what you’re meaning by the term “work church.”

2. Why do you think the “Average Joe” only thinks of a building when the word church is mentioned?
–Probably because they don’t attend church at all or rarely. All they see is the building. No relationship between themselves and others and Christ.

How has the Church itself contributed to this misunderstanding?
–Possibly because so many churches outreach programs are done far away; different counties, states, countries. The “Average Joe” who doesn’t get involved never sees what is being done away from the church.

3. Do you feel a greater sense of reverence, awe, inspiration, or the presence of God in a church building than you do outside a church building? Explain.
–I guess I do because of the focus that everyone inside has at the same time. If it’s during services, the worship bands are praising God together with the congregation, or the Pastor is preaching His Word. Or outside…. Folks are mingling and sharing their lives thru Christ.
Away from the church building life happens and sometimes it’s easy to lose focus .

Do you think that God wants us to feel differently inside a church building than outside? Explain.
–No, it really shouldn’t matter where we are because He is with us always no matter where we are or who we are with or what we are doing.

4. Why do you think that the liberal view of the Church emphasizes the social aspects of Christianity and disregards the doctrinal? Explain.
–I think it really stems from the fact that so many don’t like authority, don’t want to be told to follow doctrine or just want God their way. They want to love others “They choose”, when “They want”, and how “They want to.” Not how God’s Word or the church authority (whomever that may be) wants them to.

How have you experienced or witnessed this? Give examples.
–I see it in how the members of some of the Episcopal churches rally and support Gay/Lesbian marriage and rights protests.

5. Many people in the church have been on short term mission trips. Depending on what organization one goes with, these trips will emphasis different things. Some trips will go and without a word benevolently help build houses, bring medical care, or do carpentry repair work. Some missions trips emphasize only proclamation of the Gospel to those in the streets. Some do both. Discuss the agenda of mission trips that you have been on in the past.
–I sadly haven’t been on a mission trip yet… but our church has had many (nice guy eh?) anyway… The church agenda has always been to reach out to those who are struggling with life and God and help them in both areas at the same time by letting them know that they are there as a messenger from Jesus who loves them.

6. How does one’s view of the Church effect what their agenda might be on a mission trip? Discuss.
–Because what you say and the amount of compassion revealed to the people you are helping will be affected by the view your church has. It will set the focus point on the work being done either on the project or the hearts of the receivers.

7. How does the distinction between the invisible and visible church help you in your understanding of the Church? Discuss.
–I think that the visible church seems to have much more emphasis on the visible sacraments/ordinances. Visible hierarchical government institution is outstanding. The invisible church seems to play more of a background role allowing the people to be involved in their relationship with Jesus instead of the church.

8. Read Matt. 13:24-30. How does this passage apply to the visible and invisible church?
–The weeds are the non-believers, new believers and believers who are confused and lost again. The invisible church gathers around these folks and supports and strengthens them back to life. The visible church tends to leave the “Weeds” to be weeds.

9. How was your thinking challenged the most by the lesson? Explain.
–Trying to figure out how to get both the visible and invisible church to focus together on God’s people and how to help the lost.