Over the years,the word "church" has been consistently mis-used to refer to the building where a group of Christians meet, or else to refer to the meeting itself. It's common to hear someone say "Let's go to the church" or "church was a little boring today".

The Bible, though, always uses the word "church" to denote a certain group of people. This is the group of people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and been born again. The word "church" actually came from the word "ecclesia" and means "the called out".

The Bible talks about the universal church - which is all of the people in the world who believe in Jesus Christ. The Bible also talks about smaller local churches. These are local groups of believers who have banded together for fellowship, community worship and to edify one another.

The Apostle Paul told us that the church is kind of like the human body, with each member being a different part of the body. Each member, like each part of the body, has a function and a role to play. Some are called to preach, others to teach, others to encourage, others to comfort the hurting. Some people may simply have a knack for making others smile. In the church, everyone is important and everyone contributes.

The Bible tells us that we are to bear one anothers burdens, encourage one another, and even "put up with" one another. The Bible paints a picture of a group of people who are intimately involved with one another.

Some of us have gone to churches which were kind of like Walmart. We went there, were greeted at the door, got what we needed and left. Somehow, we don't see this as what God had in mind.

Instead, we view the church as a family. We are, literally, brothers and sisters if we have become children of God.

We also don't place much importance on where we meet. Bethany Bible Church has met in our various homes, in parks, at McDonalds and at the fairgrounds.

The truth is that wherever two or more Christians gather, that is church. In fact, Jesus said that whenever two or more gather together in His name, he'll be right there in the midst of them.

That being the case, "church" can happen in a coffee shop, or when two friends talk about Jesus over the bed of a pickup truck, or even during a surprise meeting at the grocery store.

It's not so important where and when we meet, but that we love one another - just as Jesus loved us.