what church is
September we explore church.
Today church is often identified as a building where people congregate on Sundays to sing a few hymns, try to pay attention to a sermon, do a little socializing, and donate to charity. Over the past few decades churches have tried to be more attractive--focusing on contemporary subjects and performative arts in order to be seeker sensitive.
However, very few 21st century churches resemble the church in the New Testament.
Churches in the first century had no church buildings. Believers and the curious gathered in homes or at some noteworthy geographic site. They commonly shared a meal together. They did not have Bibles, although many did have access to a copy of a Greek translation of the Old Testament—the Septuagint. Early churches had designated leaders, but few were paid. Local people often treated churches with skepticism. Religious institutions and government occasionally persecuted the church
Yet somehow, in just 300 years, the church grew from something insignificant to become the dominant belief-system of the Roman empire, and quite influential beyond that empire. Today the church is in decline—at least in the West. What's happened? What are we doing wrong? How might the church regain the cachet of the early church?
You're invited to join our exploration of what is to be done. ~
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recent podcasts
Church gathered to pray—9/6 … podcast
Ezekiel's temple—8/30 … podcast
Agog about Magog—7/26 … podcast
Can these bones live?—7/19 … podcast
Double meaning?—7/12 … podcast
Rebellious Israel shall be purged—6/28 … podcast
When God leaves—6/21 … podcast
Street theater prophet—6/14 … podcast
Watchman for Israel—6/7 … podcast
The day of the Lord—5/31 … podcast
Jesus is risen!—4/5 … podcast
This cup is Christ's blood—7/6/2025 … podcast
what Christians believe / autumn 2018
classic podcasts / timeless
sunday monologues conclude with Q&A
Traditionally called a sermon; usually signifying a one-way discourse. However, sermon can be a conversation. As was practiced in the earliest centuries of the church, Sunday sermons conclude with Q&A.