Icon of Jesus Christ on the ceiling of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Roanoke, Virginia

What is “church”?  Jesus told Peter that he was “the Rock” and upon it “I will build My church”.

My Catholic brethren hold that Jesus was entrusting Peter and his predecessors as the exemplars and leaders of the church.  There are others who contend that Jesus was speaking of Peter’s faith, and how such faith would be the foundation of His body upon this earth.

My personal understanding of “the church” has grown and developed in recent years, especially as I have visited the congregations of brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I share the faith, but also have differing perspectives about that faith.  There are some who will claim that such divisions do not represent true Christianity, but I disagree.  In fact, I don’t believe that “denominations” are a bad thing at all.  ...