Local Church

By definition "the church" encompasses all believers in Christ everywhere on the earth (we are all members of "the church"). The term "local church" applies to a group of believers meeting together in one location--within their own village, town or city. We read of this model throught the New Testament, as believers were gathered together and even referred to by their local church "names"--such as the church at Corinth or the church at Antioch.

Today the local church is generally a church organization, and is often associated with a specific location--a building or campus. In a "Westernized" culture that local church organizations is among the most effective means to organize and effect ministry within a community.