Church (congregation)

A church, in the sense of a congregation, is a Christian organization or a group of people who meet for worship. While many people use the word "church" to describe a building, the term specifically refers to the community of believers. These organizations are often formally structured with constitutions and by-laws. They may maintain offices and be led by clergy or lay leaders. In certain nations, these groups can even seek official non-profit corporate status.

How a church is organized is known as its ecclesiastical polity. This system determines how decisions are made and how leaders are chosen. Some churches follow a congregationalist polity, meaning they are autonomous. In these groups, the local members often vote on major decisions. This might include purchasing property or hiring and firing pastors. For example, in some Baptist congregations, elected deacons act like a board of directors to handle important business.

Other churches are part of a larger group called a denomination. These denominations can provide many services to their local members. They might run educational institutions or missionary societies. Some denominations connect local churches through a council of pastors, which is common in Presbyterian churches. Other traditions, such as Anglican, Lutheran, or Eastern Orthodox churches, use the oversight of bishops. In some cases, a local church is the smallest part of a global hierarchy. The Roman Catholic Church, for instance, follows a system led by the pope, who is the bishop of Rome.

The history of the word "church" reveals many layers of meaning. In the New Testament, the term is used in various ways. Scholar George W. McDaniel noted that the term appears 109 times to refer to the Lord's church. He identified 93 instances referring to a local church and 14 instances referring to the church as an institution. The Greek word used in the New Testament is ekklēsia. This term literally means "called out" or "called forth." It was originally used to describe a group of citizens called together for a specific function or assembly.

Etymology, or the study of word origins, shows how the English word evolved. The English word "church" comes from the Old English word cirice. This was derived from the West Germanic *kirika, which stems from the Greek kuriakē. This Greek term means "of the Lord." It is likely a shortened version of kuriakē oikia, meaning "house of the Lord." Some scholars suggest other roots, such as the Latin circus or Greek kuklos, which means "circle." This might refer to the circular shape many religious groups used when gathering.

Worship styles often reflect a church's specific organization and history. Congregational churches frequently use informal worship styles. They may prefer modern music and less structured services. In contrast, local churches united under bishops are often called parishes. Many parishes, such as those in the Roman Catholic or Anglican traditions, favor formal liturgy. These services often include classical music and the use of vestments. Vestments are special garments worn by clergy to add solemnity to rituals like the Holy Eucharist.

Churches have also served important social functions throughout history. One such function is church asylum, where a congregation provides sanctuary to those seeking safety. In the nineteenth century in the United States, many churches played a vital role in the abolitionist movement. Specifically, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church helped shelter people escaping Southern slavery. Additionally, a smaller group may function as a mission. A mission is a smaller church that receives sponsorship from a larger congregation, a bishop, or a higher church hierarchy. Some congregational churches even refer to these new groups as "church plants."