I had a talk with my pastor tonight about what a church is. That is, what defines a local church verses a para-church, i.e.: Baptist Student Union, Chi Alpha, Young Life, Kanakuk, and the like. He gave me a really good definition that pretty much sums up my beliefs.

A church is where the word is rightly preached, the sacraments are properly administered, and church discipline is properly applied.

Of course there is lots of hub bub on what does “properly” mean, but we shall save that till another time.