Spiritual Health Pt III: Church

What Is Church?

People hold a wide range of perspectives on what “church” means—just as they do about most things in life. The word church originates from the Greek ekklesia, meaning assembly or gathering of people. It never referred to a building. Instead, it described a group of individuals coming together, each with unique gifts, united in purpose. In that sense, the church is less an institution and more a family.

At its best, church is a place for community, personal development, and shared generosity—people pooling their time, energy, and resources to serve others. It’s where people gather for worship, reflection, learning, healing, and support.

Why People Need Church

By this broad definition, nearly everyone needs some form of church in their lives. Human beings are wired for connection. We crave community, reflection, and gratitude—things that rarely grow in isolation. Yet, about half of Americans haven’t donated any money to others in the past year. Many of us struggle with self-reflection, generosity, or slowing down. Some need a physical space to pause, to breathe, to remember what matters most.

Bringing people together under a shared mission—a purpose outside of the self—can profoundly change lives. Church provides that rhythm and structure for many.

The Imperfect Beauty of Community

All relationships involve risk. Institutions—especially those built on relationships—will always carry human imperfection. No church is perfect, just as no person is perfect. Every community reflects its members, with all their beauty and baggage alike.

We live in an age where many have lost faith in the idea that we’re better together—in religion, family, or government. It’s easier to criticize than to construct. But being constructive means “serving a useful purpose; tending to build up.” Maybe what we need now isn’t more criticism, but more building.

The risk of people gathering is that someone will get hurt. People make mistakes. Most often unintentionally, but on rare occasion this damage is intentional. Mistakes can compound and that's how scandals happen. I'm not a big fan of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and I still maintain hope that greater things can happen when people come together.

What Makes a Good Church

A good church welcomes you as you are. It meets you where you’re at and wants you to suffer less. It looks beyond itself and helps you do the same. It provides accountability, acceptance, and safety—a space to grow, wrestle, and belong. Disagreements will always arise, but the shared ethos—love, humility, forgiveness—is what holds the system together.

Even the physical space matters. Some come to church seeking rest; others seek mission, reflection, or community. Many simply need a place to say, “thank you.” Whatever the reason, the environment should draw people in and help them reconnect to something bigger than themselves.

Church Beyond the Building

Church doesn’t have to exist within four walls. One reason CrossFit exploded in popularity is that it mimics the best parts of church—community, shared struggle, accountability, and service. People push themselves, cheer each other on, and often extend that energy outward into charity and good works. It’s fitness as fellowship.

In my own life, I try to have as much church as possible.

• At home, I want my family to feel welcome, grateful, and outward-looking.

• On the Jiu-Jitsu mats, I’m surrounded by people who challenge and encourage each other to improve.

• At my local congregation, I find warmth, belonging, and the shared love of Christ.

Not all of these are “Christian” in ideology, but all share a foundation of unconditional love—and that, to me, is church.

Living Church as a Practice

The goal is to create oases—places of refuge, peace, and truth. I want my clinic to be that kind of place: where people feel seen, welcomed, and loved for who they are. It should reflect the same spirit as a church—an environment where healing happens not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

In the end, people need to come together.

We need church. 

If you don’t have one, find one. 

If you can’t find one, build one.

Because wherever people gather in love, growth, and purpose—that’s church.