By Dwight Zscheile

In the seventh century, the theologian John of Damascus used a term to describe the life of the Trinity that has important resonance for today’s church in mission: perichoresis. Perichoresis means “whirl,” “rotation,” “encircling,” “embracing,” or “circulation around the neighborhood.” In the ancient world, it was used to describe the passing of wine around the table at a dinner party, or the movement of people …

From Craig Van Gelder's book The Ministry of the Missional Church: A Community Led by the Spirit:

The church is.
The church does what it is.
The church organizes what it does.

The interrelationship of all three aspects is important to understand. The church is. The church's nature provides the framework and foundation for understanding the essential character of the church. The church does what it is. The nature of the church establishes the foundation for understanding the purpose of the church …