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"...Christ loved the church...that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word..." Ephesians 5:25,26, ESV

There's an increasing number of Christians who think that church happens whenever and wherever they meet with one or two others.  And while there's an element of truth in that, it's not the whole story.  But it fits with the individualistic culture that has been growing and growing in recent times, so people often don't even think to question it, especially when combined with the almost inevitable hurt we endure in our church experience.

But if we're only relying on the universal church - our personal relationship with God, devoid of regular, meaningful contact with diverse groups of His people - we're missing out on God's plan for our lives.  The universal is vital, but without the local, it's not doing what it's been designed to do.  It's what Jesus was talking about when He talked about hiding a lit lamp.

The local church - God's family meeting together in communities across the globe - is how the universal church impacts the world around it; it's by God's design, the place where our relationship with God can be nurtured, where His love shines brightest, where we are built up and equipped with all we need to take His love to world.

So no matter your past experience of "the church", don't be fooled into thinking you can understand all you are in Christ and be all God wants you to be without it.  Jesus gave His life for the church, and when we focus on Him and come together in His name, we really can change the world : it's exactly what He's got planned.

If you've not already done so, you might like to listen to our podcasts, which form the basis of most of the posts on this blog. You can find links on our website, our Facebook page, or by searching for "Exchange Church Belfast" in iTunes, the iOS App store or Android app market.

"Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her..." Ephesians 5:26, MSG