When you hear the word church, what comes to mind? For some, it’s stained glass and pews. For others, it’s community, family, or a place that feels like home. And for many—it’s also where wounds were formed.

In this week’s episode of Between the Pages, I sat down with my dear friend Esther Maier to talk about one of the most loaded words in the Christian faith: church.

This season, we’re deconstructing Christian buzzwords—words we use often but rarely stop to define. And “church” might be the biggest one of all. What started as a movement of people on mission with Jesus has, over time, become a system, a building, and sometimes even a brand.

Esther brings such a grounded, thoughtful perspective. She’s spent her life in the church—first as a pastor’s kid, now as a ministry leader—and she’s seen the beauty and the brokenness of it up close. Together, we asked:

What was church meant to be?

What have we turned it into?

And how can we begin to live it out again the way Jesus intended?

Key Themes + Takeaways

Church as a People, Not a Place: The Greek word ekklesia literally means “called-out ones”—a gathering of believers, not a building with four walls.

Acts 2 as the Blueprint: The early church was a living, breathing community—sharing meals, giving to those in need, and growing together daily.

Frustration & Hope: Many young believers are wrestling with how modern church has become a production or institution rather than a movement. That tension is holy—it can lead us back to authenticity.

Monday Morning Faith: What if our worship on Sunday looked the same on Monday? Following Jesus means carrying His presence into our work, families, and neighborhoods.

Obedience Over Opinion: We don’t need better arguments about church. We need to actually live like Jesus—generous, relational, and full of grace.

Our Favorite Quotes

“The people are failing to be the church in the world. I’m failing to look like that too.”

“If we want to be the church, let’s spend time with Jesus. Let’s do it with other people. Then let’s actually start doing what He did.”

“Virtual church might be convenient, but it can’t replace the gathering. Even the word church means people coming together.”

“We’ve made church both too complex and too simple at the same time.”

“Have a confessional community—a place where you can name sin and be known. That’s where real growth starts.”

Chapter Markers

00:00 – What comes to mind when you hear “church”?

04:37 – Esther’s journey: growing up in ministry and seeing it from the inside

11:04 – What church actually means in Scripture

17:21 – The world’s definition vs. Jesus’ design

23:10 – Acts 2 and the tension between discipleship and mission

33:33 – Virtual church, convenience, and what we’ve lost

45:15 – Following Jesus in the real world

54:22 – The challenge: create a confessional community

Your Turn

This week’s reflection: What would it look like for you to be the church right where you are—at home, at work, or in your neighborhood?

Maybe it’s as simple as starting a conversation, sharing a meal, or confessing honestly to someone you trust. Because the church was never meant to be something we attend—it’s something we are.

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