Yes & However – A group of people is needed for a church

A church requires a community of believers because:

• The word ‘church’ comes from ‘ekklesia’ meaning an assembly or gathering
• Jesus specifically taught that his presence is found when believers gather together
• Many key Christian practices like communion need a community to be meaningful
• Early Christians established the pattern of meeting together as essential to faith

The benefits of church as a community include:

• Shared worship strengthens individual and collective faith
• Members can support and encourage each other
• Religious teachings and traditions are preserved and passed on
• Resources can be pooled for helping others and maintaining places of worship

However, it’s important to recognize that:

• The ‘church’ is primarily the people, not the building
• Private devotion and personal prayer are also valid forms of worship
• Some people may connect better with God through individual prayer
• Modern technology allows for virtual church communities when physical gathering isn’t possible

The relationship between community and individual faith shows that:

• Both communal and private worship have important roles in Christian life
• The quality of faith matters more than the size of the congregation
• Different forms of church community can meet different spiritual needs
• The goal is to support and enhance individual relationships with God