How important is the church?

How important is the church?

My observations:

1. The vast majority of the occurrences of the Greek word ("ekklesia") "Church" in the New Testament refer to a local body of believers
   
2. The word "ekklesia" means "called out assembly"
   
3. Pictured in this word is:
   
   
   
   1. It assembles (not mystical) (it actually mets in time and space)
      
   2. It is a group of people
      
   3. The members are special "called out"
      
   
   
4. Do I love "the church"?
   
5. My model is Christ who "loved the church and gave Himself for it"
   
6. If He loved it, and I model my life upon His (follow Him), then I am called to "love it" as well
   
7. This does not mean that I am "bonkers in excitement" about everything "churchy". I'm not particularly excited about business meetings
   
8. My church is 4th Baptist in Plymouth, MN. Here's what I love about it
   
   
   
   1. I love its teaching and it's position
      
   2. I love its pastors (and I pray daily for them)
      
   3. I have an affinity with my Brothers and Sisters there