Sorry if the church hurt you, that was people not God

There is a different between Gods Church and the buildings that we call "Church." Gods Church is comprised of all of His children; it is me and it is you.

The buildings that we attend, as Bible following Christians, on Sundays are simply houses for fellowship and opportunities to come together and lift each other up. They have different names and house different family members, and none are more important, or loved by Him, than others.

Here is a good way to think about it:

God's Church (The Body)

Definition: The community of people who believe in and follow Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Nature: Spiritual and alive, representing the "temple of God" in the New Covenant.

Location: The Church exists wherever believers gather—in homes, coffee shops, or outdoors—not just inside a specific, designated building.

Duration: The church exists 24/7, as believers carry the presence of God with them wherever they go.

Church Buildings (The Structure)

Definition: A physical place of assembly, which can be a sanctuary, tent, or rented space.

Purpose: To serve as a tool or venue for worship, fellowship, and teaching.

Value: Buildings are not inherently "holy" or "God’s house" in the New Testament; they are valuable only for the purpose of housing the "living stones" (people).

Sunday Services: The building is a place to gather on Sundays, but it is not the church itself, but rather a place to meet with the church.

Biblical Perspective

Not a Building: The Bible does not define the church as a building, and the early church frequently met in homes, not in dedicated, purpose-built structures.

True Worship: The true temple is believers themselves (1 Corinthians 6:19), as God does not dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 7:48, Acts 17:24).

Purpose of Assembly: While the building isn't the church, assembling together on Sundays (or other days) is essential for mutual encouragement, fellowship, and worship.

"Going to church" is an expression that often confuses the building with the people. A church building is merely a convenient, specialized space for the actual Church—the body of believers—to gather, worship, and receive instruction.

If you have been hurt in a Church building, you are not alone, I have experienced it as well. PLEASE do not confuse that hurt, that was caused by fallible people, to confuse your calling and the love that He has for you. Please do not consider yourself to not be "part of the Church" because as His child, you ARE the Church. Those are just buildings and people, they will let you down sometimes. You can lay down offense and keep following Him. Lets continue to focus on what Jesus called us to do, take the gospel out into the world!

~Chrystal Johnson