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We Christians like to say, “This is our church” and a Christian, especially a pastor, is often heard saying, “This or that is my church” or “I have a church.”
Scripturally, the word “church” means, “the assembly of called out ones”, “the elect of God”, or “the community of believers.” It comes from the Greek word “ecclesia.”
What does it then mean when someone says he has a church or this or that is his church? A person can say that he has a car or a house and there will be no qualms about his claim, but the same cannot be said about a church.
Now, there are two implications for stating that “this is our church” or “this is my church.” First, a person saying it may be claiming ownership of the church. This is the thinking of many Christians .
The Bible does not say that true servants of Christ or Christians own the churches they have planted. Therefore, they cannot boast of owning or think of having churches.
A true servant of Christ knows who the true owner of the church he shepherds is. He is called the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout Scripture, it is only Christ Jesus who said “…I will build my Church…” (Matthew 16:18).
He did not say “…we will build our church…” but “I will build my Church.” Inherent in this Scripture is Christ Jesus’ unambiguous and authoritative claim that He owns the Church or that it is His.
Thus, Christ Jesus can confidently and conveniently state anywhere and anytime that “This or that is my Church.”
A Christian leader, therefore, ought to regard himself as a servant of Christ employed to serve God’s Church and manage hidden truths of God’s kingdom.
“This is how one should regard us, AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST AND STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD” (1 Corinthian 4:1).
Second, a Christian who says “this or that is our church or my church may be making such a statement in reference to his stewardship or association with that particular church and not necessarily to claim its ownership.
Any claim other than this may be unacceptable. However, it must be understood that a Christian or a minister of the gospel is part of the Church of Jesus Christ that is being built.
By James Quansah
