There are a number of places in the New Testament where the term "church" (ekklesia) is clearly not used in the sense of a local congregation. In this case, the universal church (also sometimes called the invisible church and the catholic church - with catholic used in its original sense of "universal" rather than its more common modern use of the specific church headed in Rome) is a spiritual organism with Christ as its Head and all believers as its members. Some disagreement exists among Christians as to exactly who makes up this universal church. In any case, the Church belongs to Christ. ... He gave the church gifts, and he is preparing the Church to become his bride without blot or blemish.
At the outset it is clear that Gods purpose for His church is articulated in its mission. Mission, however, belongs to the very being of the Church. ... It is by fulfilling the mission of Christ that the church, reconciles all things to God.
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