Growing up in a family where faith in God came before anything and anyone, it was not surprising that the church became my second home.  It was the place where people gathered together for several hours on Sunday to pray and sing and praise the Lord without any inhibition.  It was the place where you would go to see people you haven't seen since the last Suday.  It was the place where you could find comfort, support and get a word from the Lord without any doubt that He has truly answered your prays.  It was a place of ministry, a place of love, a place where you felt safe.  A sanctuary, for those who were in trouble, to come get help without fear of judgment or exile.  But over the years, there has been a toxic change in what we consider to be "church".  A business mentality has taken the place of ministry.  Back stabbing and evil attitudes have replace love, and the feeling of safety has been taken over by insecurity, doubt and fear.  What was once known as the backbone of the community is now considered to be on e of the top businesses in the world.  So what happened?  Why are there more "christians" staying home from church than there are in the church?  Why are the majority of families who attend every service falling apart and the families of those who chose to share together at home seem closer?  Why is it that God moves in teh lives of church goers during church service, but shortly after, the movement of God has ceased, and His Word is put on the back burner or all together forgotten?  Why is it that when we want to know about a person's faith, we ask them "do they go to church" and not "do they know the Lord"?  Why do we equate going to church with having a personal relationship with the Lord?  Could it be that we have put the church over the living God?  It is a scary thought, but sadly it has become a truth.  Many people have been going to church for years giving of their time, tithes and talents, but have found themselves in the same spiritual place year after year.  They have become comfortable, albeit unhappy with where they are, but are too settled to move and grow.  Unsatisfied with where they are, but fearful of leaving, they have made what was once a spirit-filled, blessed worship experience into a habitual, robotic routine.  So how can the routine be broken? What is the first step to finding spiritual happines with the church?  Well, the first step is to understand how God defines the church.