What is the bare-minimum set of requirements for a group to be called a church? Does it need a pastor? A building? Do they need to regularly observe holy communion? What about worship? Sermons? Do they need to be accountable to a sister church? What about legal issues?

What does the world call a church? Could that perhaps be a good measure? Can a small house church have the same image to a community as a large “brick and mortar” church? Can a local church pastor who hasn’t been through seminary receive the respect that a Roman Catholic priest or Methodist minister can?

When is a church part of The Church, and when is it just flying solo?