Colossians 1:15-20
15 [Christ Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
“… He is the head of the body, the church; …”
Years ago, I had a colleague who, whenever anyone would say “my church” to reference the congregation that they attended or served, would ask the question: “Whose church?” Of course, the answer lies in the Scriptures themselves. The church is not mine or yours. The church is Christ’s.
That’s not to say that each of us doesn’t have a stake in the local congregation. As participants in the ministry, partners in the Gospel, and servers in the kingdom, each of us has an intimate connection with the church. Additionally, many have ancestral ties and deep familial roots to many congregations. It’s easy to consider a given church “mine”.
However, to claim ownership is to miss the larger picture. After all, Christ is not only the head of the church. The church is His. We worship at, participate in, partner with, and serve Christ’s Church. The names, histories, mission, and ministry of each congregation may differ. However, each and every one are and will always be Christ’s Church.
Prayer: 