Ecclesiology: What are we called to be?

Recently, I've been reflecting on what it means to be "Church." There are many conferences, blogs, tweets, posts, etc on what it means to be church. I would imagine that this one will be added to that group by many. Still, I think it is important for every generation to reflect on what it means to be "the body of Christ" in their time and place.

The Church is blessed to have a history of thinkers who have reflected on this. We will remember that The Nicene Creed refers to the markers of the church as; "We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church." The Creed speaks of (1) the Unity of the Church, (2) the Sanctity of the Church, (3) the Catholicity of the Church, and (4) the Apostolicity of the Church. I think these are critical markers which the Church must seek to live out in its day. A day in which materialism, xenophobia, avarice/selfishness, and division are among the principalities that challenge a healthy ecclesial DNA. We must always seek to be aChurch that resembles Christ amidst these powers and principalities.

This week I will reflect on one marker; apostolicity.

Among the giants that challenge a healthy ecclesiology is ecclesial-selfishness. A selfishness that speaks more about maintaining power than giving it away in service. The words of Emil Brunner, "The church exists for mission as fire exists for burning" are a helpful antidote to this dis-ease called ecclesial ego-centrism. Now, I'm not arguing for some type of colonial mission that seeks through force or coercion to get others to follow. This upside-down kingdom is a mission of service to the other. God is essentially pro-nobis, for us, ergo the Church must be for the 'other' who is made in the image of God. The Church does not exists for itself it exists to be Christ for the other. This means service and sometimes death. Church is not about big structures or major events (these things have there place if they are in service to God and humanity).

Apostolicity is from the etymology of apostolos meaning, "the sent ones." St. Paul reminds us that the Apostles became a spectacle to the world and servants (slaves = doulos) for the sake of Christ. This Apostolicity has more to do with a Lordship cemented in service. We are the emissaries of a Lord who did not seek power but service. Our Lordis the crucified and resurrected one. It is through the lens of the crucified and resurrected one that we best understand our sending. Apostolicity begins with a comprehension that our kingdom is not like any other We do not seek to dominate people but rather to serve them in love. Apostolicity is a church without walls doing the work of Christ.

I am concerned that Church has become about maintaining our power, privilege,and position and not an incarnation that seeks to transform the world with the message of an upside-down kingdom. For in the end, Church is not a place where you go, but an assembly of people who seek to be Christ in the world. With that in mind, let us seek to be sent-ones in the vein of the crucified and resurrected one!