A BETTER WORD FOR "CHURCH"

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I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church (ekklesia) at Cenchreae, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches (ekklesia) of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church (ekklesia) in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
Romans 16:1‭, ‬4‭-‬5 ESV

¶Of all the modern English translations I can find, only one, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), that has translated the word "ekklesia" into anything resembling its true meaning. It uses the word "assembly". (William Tyndale used the word "congregacion" in his Old English translation of the word "ekklesia". The Spanish word for "church", "iglesia" is a direct transliteration.) The "assembly" therefore had much in common with the synagogue of the Jews, which served not only as a house of worship, but also as a place to come and discuss the Holy Scriptures, and a community gathering spot. The word "church", on the other hand, used in the other translations, is unconnected to the original meaning of "ecclesia" as a gathering of called-out individuals. At its worst, the meaning of the word "church" harkens back through the word "kirk" to the druidic "circles" represented by Stonehenge, and references back to the pagan goddess Kirke (Circe), the Greek goddess of sorcery. In their ekklesia Gentiles gathered together for the pure preaching of the gospel, and the obedience of faith, unencumbered by the rituals that characterized pagan worship.

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