Within Christianity, there are many different kinds of churches and denominations. Some are very traditional, some contemporary, some have a long history, some just started. Some have very strong ethnic roots, some are very diversified by race, age and nationality. The key question actually is what defines a church? Wherever there is a group of people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection and have committed to follow his direction as expressed in the Word of God, that group is a church. Every authentic church has Jesus Christ as the Head. The church is like the body which follows the leading of the head. There are many diversified parts of the body yet the parts work together in unity to serve the head. The wide variety of churches around the world are actually parts of only one church from God's point of view.

Another illustration is a building. The foundation is critical to the strength of the structure. Christ is the foundation upon which all believers in Christ are built. Once again, we can see lots of diversity in a building-there is glass, wood, steel, fabric, tiles, and many other raw materials formed into walls, floors, rooms, ceilings and a roof. One building, many parts, one Foundation.

Jesus also said that He was the vine and we are the branches. Every church can be seen as an extension of Christ dependent on Him to provide the nourishment necessary for growth and fruitfulness. There are many branches but only one trunk feeding the limbs by drawing from the roots. Christ describes Himself as the Seed who was planted in death to be the firstfruits of the church which is a living organism grafted into Christ for life support.

Any person who trusts in Christ becomes a member of the church by virtue of faith alone in Christ alone. No one can become a Christian simply by attending a church or observing church laws or being a good person. Church equals a relationship with Christ whether it be one individual or a group of people. The church is actually the family of God. A person becomes a Christian not by joining a church and performing in a certain way. Becoming a Christian happens at the moment a person believes in Christ and trusts in His forgiveness through the cross. At that moment, God does all the work of changing the believer from the inside out and brings each one into His family as sons and daughters. Every Christian is a new creation, born again. Just as we are born in the flesh into a human family through no work on our part, entrance into the church (God's family) happens without our effort but only by faith in Christ. Once a person becomes a Christian, there is great freedom in choosing what particular church he or she would like to attend.

The church is the result or consequence of faith in Christ. Many people are confused about the church's role thinking that they must go through the church to gain a relationship with Christ. In reality, the church cannot save anyone or create new life. The church can only invite others to make a personal decision to trust Christ. Once that decision is made, only God can save us by taking away all of our sins and giving us eternal life.