What do you think of when you think of the church?

Question

Do you picture a building? Do you picture an institution? Do you think of a denomination? Does your mind race with church activities, programs and events? Are you reminded of an organization you joined years ago?

Answer 1

if you have ever been to a real church, then you will see aplace where true love is, true healing of the mind body and soul.i know its hard today to find that in a church, but dont stop looking because they are some still out there. it is most likely a small one back in the back, or a big one out front, you will never find one if you stop looking because you found a bad one first.....GOD LOVE YOU ALL... find a real church.........

Answer 2

When I hear the word church, two simultaneous images come to mind. My immediate reaction is to think of the actual building that I go to worship in on Sundays -- I picture my pastor, a man with a great sense of humor and knowledge of Catholicism; and the musical aspects of mass, including my father/music director and singing. The following reaction is a mental image of the concept of the Catholic church as an organization, composed of all the knowledge I've gained of its teachings and history throughout my years in a Catholic education.

Answer 3

I think of the Sundays spent in church as a child, bored to death by the sermon and being stared at or slapped by my mother if I swung my feet or wiggled too much. I also think of the hypocritical rich kids who talked about God and love while sitting next to me in Sunday school and then refused to say hello or even acknowledge my existence in school. And finally, I think about the humongous Baptist church in town and the little brats who all went there when my son was in Elementary school and who were the biggest bullies in the whole school.

Answer 4

I think of a place where I can worship God. A place that I must take care of and treat with the utmost respect. I think of the temple that God gave me to host the Holy Spirit.
My body is a temple my temple is my church.

I do go to fellowship with other Christians at New Gethsimane Baptist Church 2323 Wharton Street Phila.,PA

Answer 5

I am reminded of irrational fears and superstitions I once had as a child. I am reminded of that verse from the Bible that starts..."When I was a child...."

I have put religion away with all the other childish things I no longer require.

Answer 6

My immediate reaction to the word is that I picture a building with a steeple. When I hear mosque, I picture a minaret. When I hear synagogue, I picture a building with a dome.

Answer 7

I think of the body of God with many members.
The church building, when it is full of the Holy Spirit is the closest thing to heaven on earth.

Answer 8

I picture the church I go to.

Answer 9

My mental images of religion center around the opulent displays of gold fixtures, statuary and expensive stained glass windows. On one hand, I recal reading about the priests and nuns taking vows of poverty, on the other hand, I recal the visiting archbishop visiting our community in rich, white furs and heavily embroidered gold thread vestments.

I recal incense. I still like incense.

Answer 10

I think of my own personal church, usually.

Or...

I think of the Church Universal...meaning all true believers are the Church.