[hosepipe]

[ There is an "objective" church, which has a history (i.e., it has a "past.") There is also a (forward-looking) "subjective," or inner church, which is inspired and drawn by the Holy Spirit in "real time," the cultivation of which is of particular interest to my dear sister and me. ]

The word "the Church" is a metaphor.. meaning "the called out ones".. Called out of "the world", which is another metaphor..

The "Church" and "The Bride of Christ"(yet another metaphor) are similar.. The "Church" is NOT an earthly organization, the masses for some clergy to manage, sheep for some pastor to be the husbandman to cull, or a polity to be governed..

The church and bride of christ are governed by the Holy Spirit completely.. even though many organizations call themselves churchs when they are really clubs wholly and completely.. as is outlined in the book of relevation which is the Revelation of Jesus Christ(Ch 1;1)..

The Holy Spirit allows membership in clubs, but a club is not the church.. nor is it the Body of Christ or Bride of Christ.. Membership in a club can be and many times is Idolatry.. Missing the metaphors in the metasphere of spiritual reality exposes whether you are a goat or a sheep.. Which MUST be separated(goats from sheep).. and will be separated..

Must be WHY? clubs are allowed by the Holy Spirit, to the sheep..
Pretty tricky.. Is GOD cool or WHAT?...

[annalex]

The Church is a communion of faithful, united to Christ in the sacrament of baptism and obedient to His apostles. It is most certainly not a club in any sense -- that would be donatism.

Three typologies exist for the Church: the mystical body of Christ, the mystical bride of Christ, and the Blessed Virgin our mother. All three are complementary.

[Alamo-Girl]

many organizations call themselves churchs when they are really clubs wholly and completely

So very true. Then again, some people need that while others don't.