Bruce Ballast

Preaching About the Holy Catholic Church

Preaching About the Church

Those words sound a bit strange to our protestant inclinations.  But preaching about the church is also a doctrinal message (or series of messages) that your people need to hear.  This is the next phrase of the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in the Holy, Catholic Church.  We are in a series of posts on preaching about doctrine in your church.  The first in the series is here if you are new to this blog.  If you want to reflect more on the need for doctrinal preaching, check out this article in Preaching Today:

If you are unfamiliar with this phrase, you may be a bit surprised to read about a statement of faith that seems to lift up the Roman Catholic Church.  Be aware, then, if you are not, that the word “catholic” here simply means that it is a universal church.

Franchises Everywhere

I remember visiting a church while we lived in Southern California.  This church was known for its outreach ministry.  That morning, the pastor shared about a woman who had come to faith through the people of that church.  Her background was in another country, and in another religion, and so, she was unfamiliar with the Church.

Unfortunately, a job transfer required her to move to a different part of the country.  As a new convert, she was concerned about whether she would be able to find a new home.  She asked, “Are there churches in _____?”  He responded.  Of course, you are part of the Church of Jesus Christ.  We have franchise gatherings in every place in the world.”

That’s the church.  When I confess that I believe in the Holy, Catholic Church, I am saying that I believe that God is at work in the world, and at work through local gatherings of people who represent the Lord of the Church.

So, a doctrinal series of message should include a series of at least a couple of messages on the Church.  You have a wide array of choices of subjects in such a series.  You can preach about the images in the Bible of the church.   Here’s a list of such images that came up when I typed this question into AI: What images of the church appear in the New Testament?

The Body of Christ

  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Romans 12:4–5; Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18

  • Meaning: The Church is one body with many members, each with unique roles and gifts. Christ is the head, and believers are the members.

  • Emphasis: Unity in diversity, mutual dependence, and Christ as the source of life and direction.

Preaching about the church with this image helps people understand their place in the body, especially when it is accompanied by a workshop to help people discover their spiritual gifts.

The Bride of Christ

  • Scripture: Ephesians 5:25–27, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7–9; Revelation 21:2, 9

  • Meaning: The Church is portrayed as a bride lovingly betrothed to Christ, awaiting full union at the “wedding supper of the Lamb.”

  • Emphasis: Love, purity, covenantal relationship, and future hope.

The Bride of Christ is a wonderful image to hold up before people when preaching about the church to your congregation.

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; Ephesians 2:19–22; 1 Peter 2:5

  • Meaning: The Church is a spiritual temple, built with living stones (believers), where God’s Spirit dwells.

  • Emphasis: Holiness, worship, God’s indwelling presence, and spiritual growth.

Preaching about the church as the Temple of the Holy Spirit introduces the subjects of God’s power and the opportunity for spiritual growth.

The People of God

  • Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9–10; Romans 9:25–26; Hebrews 8:10

  • Meaning: The Church is the new covenant community, chosen by God, inheriting the promises made to Israel.

  • Emphasis: Identity, election, belonging, and mission.

The Family of God

  • Scripture: Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 3:15

  • Meaning: Believers are members of God’s household—His spiritual family.

  • Emphasis: Intimacy, nurture, accountability, and spiritual kinship.

Preaching about the church as the family of God introduces themes of the family aspect of the church, that we are brothers and sisters.

The Vine and the Branches

  • Scripture: John 15:1–8

  • Meaning: Christ is the vine, and believers are the branches. Apart from Him, they can do nothing.

  • Emphasis: Vital connection to Christ, fruitfulness, and dependence on Him.

Preaching about Jesus as the vine and us as branches opens up the opportunity for reflection on where our strength comes from.

The Flock of God

  • Scripture: John 10:1–16; Luke 12:32; 1 Peter 5:2–4

  • Meaning: The Church is a flock under the care of Christ the Good Shepherd and, by extension, its pastors or elders.

  • Emphasis: Care, protection, guidance, and leadership.

The Vineyard

  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9; Matthew 21:33–43

  • Meaning: The Church is God’s cultivated field or vineyard, where growth and fruitfulness are expected.

  • Emphasis: God’s ongoing work, cultivation, and expectation of spiritual fruit.

Preaching about the church as the vineyard of God introduces the idea of what God expects of us.

Conclusion

In the next post I’ll put some more content into a couple of these themes.   For now, know that preaching about the Church is a rich topic for your congregation.

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