What is the church?

Three options:
A building (the most common definition)
All people calling themselves Christians (also common definition)
All people Jesus calls Christians (correct definition)

Did you know that people in their 20s are more likely to go to a Bible Study than to church?  This stat is similar with other age groups as well.  Why? 

You've been "burned" at church.  Perhaps you have been "preached at" rather than "preached for" or you did not feel welcome.

It's important to be clear about who is defining the church in order to accurately evaluate how the church is doing.  In the end, Jesus' definitions will be the ones that endure, so let's go with His from 1 Peter 1 and 2.  The church is holy, the church is living, the church is a people.  These are a people who love one another and who love everyone.

But this "LOVE" is characteristic of Christ's love, which He spoke WITH truth.  In Jesus' ministry, He loved people with His compassion and with His message.  Love in 1 Peter 2 is the church "proclaiming the mercy of His excellencies which called us out of darkness into this marvelous light" to those who do not believe on Christ. 

Jesus is God's love.  Yes, God is loving.  His love is personified through Jesus.  The church should then personify Jesus.  If the church personifies Jesus, the church will love God and their neighbors ... with compassion and with truth. 

Church actually means "the called out ones" in Greek.  A people eternally affected by God's mercy and grace.
The church must be doing both.  Everyone wants love and truth.  The church is the place.

Come to Harvest!  We will speak the TRUTH in LOVE.