church

The assembly often met in circular form, which is where the word church stems from, as in "circus" where you have circular forms of entertainment. Actually, the word "church" is derived from the Greek word kurikon, which itself is derived from "the Lord's house" (Kuriakon dwma). You're quite right that the church is not a building. The Church is the Lord's people. Don't you think most "services" (a commercial term) are conducted for our entertainment? We're in agreement here. Somehow we've lost sight of the fact that it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Look at the Israelites in the desert, or even the fate of Christians in Corinth who were guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Most of what passes for "worship" these days is nothing but people singing catchy little folk tunes and clapping their hands. I used to do the same sort of thing at Grateful Dead concerts.... Dirk