I give definition to words. I use words in ways the originator would never have imagined.

I learn word uses from our kids. Today’s “cool” has a meaning far from reflecting weather conditions.

When Jesus declared, “On this rock I will build my church,” obviously, the totality envisioned far exceeds my brain.

I suspect he didn’t have an address at Third and Main in mind.

Yes, church is a body. Yes, Christ is the head. Sure, church is a noun.

The richness of church goes far beyond its noun use of body. The nature of body is movement. In the human body there is movement.  In the human body there is life. For life to exist movement is essential.

It is exhilarating to think of church as an action word. Church is movement.

For centuries, God’s people worshiped at a temple. It was nothing less than a place to meet with the Creator of the universe.

As Church breaks into Jerusalem life, both Roman and Jewish authorities felt threatened. This new Church must die. With the death of Stephen by the hand of the Temple leaders—in plain sight of the Romans—Jewish Christ followers left Jerusalem in flight for their life.

With Temple left behind believers left Jerusalem. They told the story of Jesus wherever they went. Their church encompassed action.

Here is what I think.

As a descendant of Jerusalem Christ followers I am still traveling.

Each day I want to look for “Spirit nudges” to tell the story. I want to be church in motion. I want to speak kindness and encouragement. I want to look for dark places in need of grace.

Like that first disbursement of Jewish Christians, I want my high beams to pierce the darkness as I travel forward to meet those God places in my path.

I am no less than church in motion. I am the verb in church.

I move. I do. I serve. I love. I care. I sing. I pray. I help. I lead. I shine. I visit. I write. I read. I encourage. I proclaim. I cry. I hope. I trust. I give. I hurt. I listen. I laugh. I worship.

“Dear God, Forgive me when I see church as an address rather than action. Place before me today dark corners where a word about Savior can bring light. Forgive me for arguing and fighting with brothers and sisters as we travel together telling the story.”

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – Reflecting on Cross Church

Gary@GodReflection.org