The Nature of God's Community

God had a plan from the beginning for the redemption and transformation of the world.  The plan is ekklesia.  Ekklesia typically is translated as "Church", but has a much broader and deeper meaning than the way the word "Church" is used in common parlance today (i.e. participation in collective worship).  The word "ekklesia" implies being "drawn out" and "set apart".  God's plan for redemption was first evident in his relationship with Abraham, who was set apart to form a covenant with God and initiate a new community, Israel.  God's plan for redemption was evident in Jesus, who called his followers to be "drawn out" from the world to be holy and set apart.

God's plan of ekklesia is made necessary because the world is fallen and lost in sin.  Ekklesia exists to be in the world to be an alternative to the world's fallenness, for the transformation and redemption of the world.  God's hope is that the ekklesia would reveal God's plan for the world, drawing the world into Ekklesia, making the world the place that God wants it to be.

What underlies God's plan is God's love for the world.  This is why God entered into covenant with Abraham.  This is why God was revealed in Jesus.  God seeks the redemption and restoration of the world because God loves the world.  Ekklesia is called to be in the world to reveal God's love for the world and to show the world what it can be.