Pastor adam flanick
What is the Church? Many times, when we use the word “Church” in everyday conversations we tend to frame it in terms of a building or a location. If you are like me, you have probably said something to the effect of “I’m going over to Church” or “I’m headed to Church” meaning, “I’m going to drive over to 331 Clendening Road, where there is a sanctuary, fellowship hall, and Church office.” It feels natural for us to speak this way, but this language betrays the true reality of what the Church actually is. According to the New Testament, the “Church” is not a building or a location, but rather a people.
“Church” which is translated from the Greek word ἐκκλησία (pronounced “ekklesia”) quite literally means “the called-out ones.” As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Our Confessions echo this reality when they assert that the Church “is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel.” (Augsburg Confession, Article VII).
The Church is not primarily a lifeless building or an inanimate location. It is the living, breathing body of Christ that has been created, redeemed, and sanctified by the One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are the Church, a people bought by Christ’s own suffering and death.
Within the visible Church, we are given a little glimpse of God’s work – through His word – as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies His people in a particular place and time. As “the called-out ones,” we are completely and totally dependent upon Christ and His word. As the Church, we should never look at ourselves and say, “look at how great we are” or “look at the wonderful job our pastor and church leaders are doing.” This is idolatrous, erroneous thinking. Rather, in seeing God’s work in and through the Church, we should open our mouths in praise of Him who is the true Architect and Builder behind it all. All that we have, all that we are, and all that we will ever be, is a result of God’s grace and Christ’s work in and through us. To Him alone be all glory, honor, and praise forever and ever, amen!
As Christ’s Church in Gladwin Michigan, our mission remains unchanged. It is not something we have created for ourselves, through ingenuity or creativity. Rather, our mission is something we have received from Christ with the whole Church throughout History. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Alone, we will utterly fail in completing this holy task. But with Christ’s Word and by His Spirit, God who began this good work in us, will bring it to completion on the day of Christ. It is my prayer, as Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, that we would keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our ears attuned to His Word, our hearts ever captive to Him alone, and our hands to the work He has called us to. And because Christ has risen from the dead, I am confident that the best is yet to come.
Soli Deo gloria
Pastor Adam Flanick
“Church” which is translated from the Greek word ἐκκλησία (pronounced “ekklesia”) quite literally means “the called-out ones.” As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Our Confessions echo this reality when they assert that the Church “is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel.” (Augsburg Confession, Article VII).
The Church is not primarily a lifeless building or an inanimate location. It is the living, breathing body of Christ that has been created, redeemed, and sanctified by the One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are the Church, a people bought by Christ’s own suffering and death.
Within the visible Church, we are given a little glimpse of God’s work – through His word – as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies His people in a particular place and time. As “the called-out ones,” we are completely and totally dependent upon Christ and His word. As the Church, we should never look at ourselves and say, “look at how great we are” or “look at the wonderful job our pastor and church leaders are doing.” This is idolatrous, erroneous thinking. Rather, in seeing God’s work in and through the Church, we should open our mouths in praise of Him who is the true Architect and Builder behind it all. All that we have, all that we are, and all that we will ever be, is a result of God’s grace and Christ’s work in and through us. To Him alone be all glory, honor, and praise forever and ever, amen!
As Christ’s Church in Gladwin Michigan, our mission remains unchanged. It is not something we have created for ourselves, through ingenuity or creativity. Rather, our mission is something we have received from Christ with the whole Church throughout History. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Alone, we will utterly fail in completing this holy task. But with Christ’s Word and by His Spirit, God who began this good work in us, will bring it to completion on the day of Christ. It is my prayer, as Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, that we would keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our ears attuned to His Word, our hearts ever captive to Him alone, and our hands to the work He has called us to. And because Christ has risen from the dead, I am confident that the best is yet to come.
Soli Deo gloria
Pastor Adam Flanick
Director of Youth & Young Families
Josiah Schultz
