the head of the church

Who owns the church?  That's the question my 8 year old self asked my dad as we drove into the church parking lot with my pastor.   There was a moment of hesitation as my father deferred to the pastor, who declared the Lord owns His church.  I would discover later that the Bible clearly says it. (Eph 5.23).  The proliferation of denominations in our day tells me there is some disagreement about how that ownership is worked out in the day to day. I like the way that Paul told the Colossians.  

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Col 1:18-20)
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Because Christ is the one who redeemed the world, the church is His special possession.  Praise God!