What is.. church and mission???

On wednesday I have the honour of being on a panel which will be discussing and hopefully modelling exploring generous thinking/conversations with each other and the seminar attendees around the emerging church at the Detling conference/gathering.

I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the panel....

Kerry Thorpe - Fresh Expressions Missioner for Canterbury Diocese; founder Harvest New Anglican cell church

Oliver Harrision - Vicar St John's Grove Green, an ecumenical church in Maidstone

Diana Greenfield - Night Club Chaplain (Church Army)

Paul Franklin - Runs a Youth Congregation "Y"

The questions...

I think are going to be nice and open, so maybe you can let me know what you think/feel about them over the next couple of posts. 

First up, what do the following mean to you...

1.  What is Church?

2.  What is mission? 

Comments

[Greg Laughery]

1) a mixture of people that may or may not have a common focus and commitment to Jesus Christ.
2) feeding the hungry, offering shelter, visiting the poor, proclaiming the good news.

[Paul]

Thanks Greg, im intrigued how would you, say,differentiate church with the any other social gathering?

I like your second one which seems to proclaim good news in words and works...

[Greg Laughery]

In #1 on ekklesia. Basically a gathering of Christians. Yet, I was thinking that the church doesn't seem to be the same entity as the body of Christ. No doubt related and distinct for this reason. Some in the church may not be part of the body of Christ, although they're members of the church. Only the harvest will tell. While those who are in the body of Christ are members of that body, and also part of the church.

[Paul]

thanks Greg, i can see the distinction you are trying to make clearer now, i appreciate that. So would the body of christ be for you those people who a common focus and commitment to Jesus Christ?

[Greg Laughery]

Got it.