Definition

Church - a building for public Christian worship

We hear the word so much, so often in the passing by of conversation, like every other word in the English language. Have we heard it so often that we've forgotten what it means, bouncing off our ears like an empty plastic water bottle?

When we learn to speak, we also learn context (even if we never learn what 'context' actually means). And there's a confidence that comes in saying a word while knowing what it means. Yet, becoming comfortable and confident in the words that we speak, I wonder if we lose some of their essence. The more times we use a word, the broader its definition becomes. Double and triple meanings are true for several words... run, break, bark, nails, etc. But then there are words that carry a singular impact.

Opening a present on Christmas morning, you get that ten-speed bike you've wanted all year. You talk all day about it, brag about it to your friends when you get back to school. Bike, bike, bike, bike... until the word 'bike' goes from something spectacular to just another syllable in your vocabulary. It loses' its special hype.

Doesn't the same happen with love, hope, faith... church?

The Old English definition of church (circa 1100s) is a public place of worship. And since 300, the Greek word that's been used is kȳri(a)kón or 'a place of the Lord'. Nowadays, in the 2010s, the definition most often implied is that 'church' is the biblical word for assembly. Even more so however, what picture does the word church conjure up for some people? A place where love and hope are preached and you're surrounded by godly fellowship? Or something far less then its intended purpose?

Why is this so important to even consider? Because we've taught- religion or not- to think before we speak. I think that applies to the definition of our words as well. Our definition- personal or otherwise- can effect our demeanor and demonstration when we say them. 

Another reason I find myself dwelling on this is because Easter is fast approaching. Easter. You'll walk into a church building on Easter morning... what definition will that hold for you?