by Rob Newham on 18th September 2026

What even is Church?

Is it an interest or social group… for those interested in God?

Is it a building? A particular venue or location?

One of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, described the church this way:

“   … you are a chosen race,
         a royal priesthood
         a holy nation
         a people for his own possession…”   (1 Peter 2:9)

Already we can see that the church is far deeper in its identity, and wider in its scope.

Consider how foundational each of these are to your core identity…

Where you’re from (nation)
What ethnicity you are (race)
Which family you belong to (people)

Yet these are the terms that describe what church is!

And Peter is saying this of believers who, scattered by persecution (v.1), are out-of-sorts in every tangible way (social, legal, relational)

But their core identity remains the same.

They are bottom of the social pile now, with no rights. Yet, Peter can say that they are a royal priesthood.

They are far from their homes, yet Peter can say they ARE a nation.

They are isolated, and easy pickings for others, yet Peter can say that they belong to God.

And that is because joining the church depends on God, not man:

         ” … according to the foreknowledge of God the Father… in the sanctification of the Spirit… for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.“ (1 Peter 1:2)

God the Father had to decide it in eternity past, Jesus had to shed his blood at the cross for it, and The Holy Spirit is perfecting it.

In other words, from start to finish, Church is God’s idea, and God’s doing!

Church then, is unlike my work team where a common objective binds us. In the same way, it is not a religious form of Parkrun (which I love by the way)…. where once the objective has been reached, or if I cease to be useful, the bond dissolves.

But Church (which as we have seen is far deeper by its very nature) is forever.

From the least able bodied to the strongest, from the oldest to the youngest, every individual has the same dignity and honour bestowed on them by God.

 

For thought…

What does your current interaction with other believers reveal about your idea of ‘Church’?

Does this differ from the definition above? How?