Join host Kent Dresdow and executive pastors Matt and Jeremy on afterWord as they begin a conversation about the profound importance of the local church. Kicking off the discussion, they explore the biblical understanding of the church as ekklesia, the "called-out ones," emphasizing the significance of the gathered assembly of believers.

The pastors address common questions, including a clarification of Matthew 18:20, explaining its context within church discipline rather than as a justification for isolated faith. They also discuss the valuable role of parachurch ministries, distinguishing their supportive function from the central, irreplaceable nature of the local church.

A key focus of the episode is the rich biblical imagery that reveals the value God places on the church. They touch upon the church as the bride of Christ, the body of Christ (highlighting the need for all its diverse members), and the household of God, emphasizing the unique spiritual family bond shared by believers.

This episode serves as the first part of an ongoing exploration into the local church, with further discussion planned for a future episode of afterWord.

Keywords

local church, ecclesiology, church importance, parachurch ministries, body of Christ, bride of Christ, household of God, church community, church membership, church purpose

Chapters

02:56 - Understanding the Local Church06:08 - The Importance of the Local Church09:14 - Parachurch Ministries vs. Local Church12:05 - The Body of Christ and Its Functionality18:03 - The Church as the Bride of Christ20:46 - The Church as the Household of God33:05 - Conclusion and Future Discussions