What is the Church // Ekklesia

In his sermon, Evan reflects on the foundational question, "What is the church?" He invites the congregation to move beyond surface-level understandings and to grasp the church as a vibrant, redeemed community filled with the Spirit and driven by a mission. Using the Nicene Creed, he underscores that the church is not merely a physical structure or a social club, but the bride of Christ—beloved, sacrificially redeemed, and positioned for a glorious future. Evan emphasizes the importance of understanding church history to gain insight into its present identity, highlighting how this history shapes the collective understanding and purpose of the church today.Evan details the multi-faceted role of the church: it is to be a unified body under Christ, a community of believers committed to growing together through discipleship, and a witness to the world. He stresses the necessity of deep relationships within the church, calling them to actively participate in each other's lives, bear burdens, and pursue reconciliation even amidst conflict. As followers of Christ, believers are called not just to attend services but to embrace their role in the body, championing the church's mission of spreading the gospel. Ultimately, the church must reflect the love and light of Christ in its community, fostering growth, unity, and outreach as it lives out its calling in a broken world.