According to the Bible, the church isn't defined as a structure with steeples, pews and stained-glass windows. Instead, it means "called out ones." Everyone who has repented from his self-centered lifestyle and lives in submission to the will and Word of God is a called out one. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "We've been called out of darkness and into His marvelous light." The church, therefore, is not a man-made building, but the men, women and children who profess Jesus as savior.

In addition, it describes Christians in several ways, one of which is an army. Christians are commanded to "fight the good fight" (1 Timothy 6:12). They must "endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). A well-known hymn is "Onward Christian Soldiers." God's army must engage in spiritual battle, for a real and dangerous foe does exist. Ephesians 6 says our weapon is the truth of his word; our protection is the armor of God, which includes our salvation, faith and righteousness. An army must be vigilant, courageous and trained in warfare. Soldiers understand the importance of obeying commands; they will make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. In any war, combatants will be wounded. But there is no greater tragedy than casualties resulting from friendly fire.

The church is also likened to a body comprised of many members performing various functions. In Romans 12, Paul says the body has eyes, hands, feet, etc., and no one part is more important than another. All parts need the others. In fact, when an apparently insignificant member is suffering, the whole body suffers. God wants his body to be vibrant and healthy; we must be nourished by the meat and milk of the word (Hebrews 5); we must exercise faith. Gossip, a judgmental or critical attitude, jealousy and strife are cancers that eat away and weaken the body.

Another metaphor of the church is the family, where God is the heavenly Father. Today, the traditional family is struggling to survive. Unfaithfulness occurs far too often, financial pressures are overwhelming and divorce is prevalent. Many homes are battlegrounds rather than sanctuaries. The exchange of meaningful dialogue around the dinner table happens only in reruns of "Leave It To Beaver." Teens confide in their peers rather than their parents, and parents are at a loss when trying to guide and discipline youngsters nurtured by MTV. Distrust, estrangement, and hostility, rather than intimacy and mutual dependency, flourishes in suburbia.

The church needs to be an example of what a family is meant to be. Over and over again, we're instructed to love our brothers and sisters and to obey and respect our parents. Jesus told disciples: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:35). We must be caring and compassionate, patient and kind, always willing to forgive and overlook the flaws and weaknesses on others.

Orlando Tumacder attends New Hope, Pearl Community.