G.L.L.P.

I can say it enough, the church is God's living and local presence. It might take me years to unpack the full meaning of this and fully live it out and see it in my local setting, but I believe it's the nature and purpose of the church - and that's what makes it the hope of the world.

Reading The Essence of the Church (Craig Van Gelder), I got reminded of this again.

Here are some quotes:

"The church is God's personal presence in the world through the Spirit"

(the church must) "structure itself to carry out its ministry consistent with its nature"

"The church lives in the world as a human enterprise, but it is also the called and redeemed people of God... created by the Spirit to live as a missionary community."

"When we encounter the church, we move into spiritual territory that occupies earthly terrain. We encounter the living God in the midst of our humanity. We encounter the Spirit of God dwelling in the midst of a people who are created and formed into a unique community."

(from the forward about this book) "the church cannot be what God wants it to be without doing what God calls it to do - and vice versa"

Thanks for getting reminded and excited with me!