Growing up, I always knew what it meant to be “churched.” Every Sunday morning, we’d wake up early, put on our best clothes, and march into church like it was an unspoken ritual. We sat through the sermons, sang the hymns, and bowed our heads in prayer, but looking back, I realize my heart often wasn’t truly engaged. I was “doing church,” but I wasn’t living as the Church. My faith was limited to a Sunday routine rather than a deep, life-changing relationship with Jesus.

Many people have a similar story. The concept of being “churched” goes far beyond attending services—it’s a mindset. It’s when we go through the motions, fulfilling cultural expectations but lacking the true substance of faith. The Bible, however, calls us to something so much deeper. We’re not just called to be “churched”; we’re called to be the Church—the Bride of Christ.

The Difference Between “Churched” and “Being the Church”

Being churched is about appearances, routines, and traditions. There’s a comfort in checking off the boxes: attending worship services, singing the songs, following the same order of events each week. But Jesus calls us to something transformative, not just transactional. When we’re truly the Church, we’re part of something living and breathing; we’re meant to be the embodiment of Christ’s love on earth.

In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul paints a beautiful picture of what it means to be the Bride of Christ:

“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

As the Bride, we are called to a life set apart, washed, and purified by His Word, striving for holiness. This is so much more than ritual. It’s an invitation to deep intimacy with Jesus, a relationship that shapes us into His likeness.

Signs of Being Just “Churched”

There was a season in my life when I believed that as long as I was attending church, and being active in many ministries, I was fulfilling my Christian duty. I was ticking all the boxes, but my soul felt empty. My Bible collected dust, prayer became an afterthought, and my focus was on appearances rather than transformation. This is the trap of being “churched.”

Matthew 15:8 reveals Jesus’ heart on this matter:

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

It’s easy to honor God with our lips—to say the right things, attend the right services, and look the part. But Jesus is after our hearts, not just our habits. He desires an active, loving relationship that goes beyond rituals and cultural expectations.

Embracing Our Identity as the Bride of Christ

When we begin to see ourselves as the Bride of Christ, everything changes. Just as a bride deeply cherishes her relationship with her groom, we’re called to cherish our relationship with Jesus, putting Him at the center of our lives.

Revelation 19:7 describes the beautiful moment of Christ’s return for His Church, His Bride:

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

Preparing ourselves as the Bride means more than just showing up to church; it’s a heart posture of readiness and devotion to Christ. It’s about becoming more like Him every day, allowing His Spirit to guide, teach, and shape us.

Moving from Ritual to Relationship

It took time, but eventually, I realized that God wasn’t calling me to a life of religious routine. He was calling me to a relationship that transformed every area of my life. When I started reading the Word not as a checklist but as a lifeline, prayer became more than just an obligation—it became communion with my Savior. The focus shifted from being “churched” to being part of a living, active Body of Christ. It became inherent that my mission is about “Taking community to church and church into the community.” (Rattray, D. W. (2024). Taking Community to the Church and Church into the Community. [Publisher].

John 15:5 encapsulates this relationship beautifully:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

When we’re connected to Christ, we’re empowered to bear fruit. Our love for Him overflows into everything we do, and our faith becomes more than a ritual—it becomes a vibrant, abundant life rooted in Him.

Walking as the Bride in Today’s World

In today’s culture, it’s easy to confuse religious activity with true faith. There’s pressure to fit into a mold, to meet expectations, to go with the flow. But Jesus didn’t call us to follow the crowd; He called us to follow Him. Being the Church means breaking free from the mold of mere tradition and embracing the radical love and purpose found in Him.

Romans 12:2 reminds us:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Being the Bride of Christ means allowing Him to renew our minds, transform our hearts, and guide our steps. We’re called to live out a faith that goes beyond Sundays—a faith that reaches into every aspect of our lives, shapes our values, and draws others to Christ.

Reflecting on Your Own Walk

If you’ve found yourself “doing church” rather than being the Church, remember that it’s never too late to draw close to Him. Take time to seek Him in His Word, to cultivate a relationship of depth and love, and to ask Him to reveal areas where you can grow as His Bride. Bottom line, it’s time to pray. The only way you will get the answers you desire is to communicate with The One who has them all.

The Church isn’t a building or a set of rituals. It’s a living, breathing body of believers united in Christ, passionately devoted to the One who gave His life for us. As the Bride of Christ, we are called to a love that goes beyond ritual—a love that transforms us and shines His light in a dark world.

So let’s be the Church. Let’s be the Bride, ready and waiting for our Bridegroom, living in a way that honors Him, not just with our lips but with our hearts and lives. It’s more than just Sunday.

Til Next Time,