Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr., author of 19 books, and
featured teacher on
Bible Student’s
Radio, has been dedicated to the recovery and sharing of
scriptural truths for more than thirty-five years.
He pastored for 15 years (Hampton, VA), was a Christian
school administrator (A.C.E.), Bible bookstore owner
(Amherst, VA), and active Bible conference speaker.
Other than family, literature has always
been the prime passion of his life. For the past thirty years
this has found its expression in the distribution of serious,
hard-to-find Bible study books, through a family-based ministry
known today as Study Shelf.
Since 2006 he has been publisher of
Bible Student’s
Press, with over 125 book titles.
He has been the editor of The Biblical Standard (1976-1980), The
Old Paths (1981-1985), Forgotten Truths (1986-1989), Grace
Testimony (1986-1995), the weekly
Bible Student’s
Notebook (since 1989), and
Daily Email Goodies
(since 2003).
Clyde now resides in Windber, PA enjoying the greatest roles of
his life as husband, father, and grandfather.
Another
Look at “Bible Study”:
The Misuse of II Timothy 2:15 and the Abuse of Christ’s Body(#0370)
by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
80 page. PB,
$4.95
“You continue to bless me with messages
that relieve the burden.” – Illinois
“Helped me shed major bondage.”– Michigan
“What a freeing teaching.” - Pennsylvania
“Such a balm to my soul.” – Canada
“Finally relieved me of yet another religious burden.” – Poland
Being OK with Not Being OK –
Embracing God’s Design for You … and Everyone You Know (and Don’t Know)
(#1985)by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
For now, you’re broken,
and you aren’t going to be “fixed.” Granted, you may have some days that
are better than others, some circumstances that seem to indicate that
you are “OK,” but the wearisome cycle simply will recur.
Thus it is by design – by divine design. Father is
bringing you to a place where you are OK with not being OK, where you
simply rest in His current purpose and plan in your training and
development for that grand and magnificent culmination that He has so
wonderfully and skillfully designed especially for you – in your next
life. ISBN: 9781934251904 -- 134
page. PB
Believer's Warfare, The: Wearing the
Armor of Light in the Darkness of this World (#7000) by
Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. The believer is in the middle of an ancient
spiritual warfare that is as old as mankind. The battle itself, although
intense, is not complicated. It is not a process of spiritual
hoop-jumping. Indeed it is simple. The Believer's Warfare surveys a few
key passages of Scripture to reveal God's sure plan of victory in the
life of His saints. ISBN: 9781934251003 / 1934251003 -- 55 page PB $9.95
Bible Student's Notebook, The
(VOLUMES) The Bible Student’s
Notebook is a periodical dedicated to the: - Promotion of Bible study -
Encouragement of the believer’s growth in grace - Support of the role of
family patriarch - Recovery of truth that has too long been hidden under
the veils of traditionalism, prejudice, misunderstanding and fear. The
Bible Student’s Notebook is not connected with any "Church," "Movement,"
"Organization," "Society," "Mission," or separate body of believers, but
is sent forth to and for all of God’s saints. $19.95 each
Volume.
The Bible Student's Notebook:
(Choose a single volume from 11-20)
The Bible Student's Notebook:
(Choose a single volume from 1-10)
NOTE: ORDER THE
NEWEST VOLUMES FIRST!
--
The BSN volumes cover over a 20
year period; the more recent issuescontain our most recent understanding
of Biblical issues. Therefore when ordering volumes of the BSN we would encourage
you to order the latest volumes and work your way backwards.
Order the current complete set currently at 36 volumes plus free Master Index.
Retail: $726 now $576 (a $146 savings! - that's $4 off per volume)
All 36 volumes $576
Church
in Ruins, The:
Brief Thoughts on II Timothy (#3325)Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. This brief survey of Paul’s last
epistle will reveal that while almost 2000 years have transpired, the
condition of the church has remained the same, and indeed has worsened
in accordance with Paul’s warning to Timothy. This book is not a call
for a re-awakening of “the church,” because it is apparent that this is
not Father’s plan. Rather, it is a call to individual men – men whose
place in the Christian religious system has left them empty,
stagnant, and restless – to awaken to Father’s call to be His faithful
servant and stand outside of that system to look for other faithful men
as well. ISBN: 9781934251591
-- 128 page PB $9.95
Choose a quantity:
De
Kerk in Puin: Een Korte Overdenking van 2
Timotheüs, Paulus’ Laatste Brief aan de Kerk
(Church
In Ruins - DUTCH VERSION) door Clyde L. Pilkington
Jr. Dit korte overzicht van Paulus' laatste brief zal onthullen dat,
hoewel bijna 2000 jaar voorbij zijn, de toestand van de kerk dezelfde is
gebleven, en zeker nog erger is geworden, overeenkomstig Paulus'
waarschuwing aan Timotheüs. Dit boek is geen oproep voor een wakker
worden van "de kerk," omdat het duidelijk is dat dit niet Vader's plan
is. Nee, het is eerder een oproep aan individuele mensen - mensen van
wie de plaats in het Christelijke, religieuze systeem hen leeg heeft
achtergelaten, stilstaand, rusteloos - om te ontwaken bij de roep van
Vader om Zijn trouwe dienaren te zijn en buiten het systeem te staan en
uit te zien naar andere trouwe mensen. 116 paginas PB
$9.95
Daily
Gleanings: 365 Selections on Scriptural Truths(#1836) Editor: Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
This book contains a collection of
gleanings from some 200 different authors. These excerpts are intended
to be an encouragement to those who are walking on a different path with
the Lord – a journey that is
“outside of the camp.” Some
quotations are from beloved and trusted authors, but more often than
not, they are from unusual sources. Sometimes, it is simply amazing how
an author can admit in print to some grand truth that their writings and
ministries otherwise generally deny. For the authors of these quotes,
the truth that is conveyed by them may oddly seem “out of place”; but in
some ways, the more unlikely the source, the more amazingly it testifies
to the truth – and the fact that it cannot be hidden. ISBN: 9781934251836
-- 253 pp, PB,
$19.95
Daily Gleanings – 2: 365 Selections on
Scriptural Truths(#3630) Editor:
Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. This second volume contains treasured
gleanings from some 170 different authors. It has a title, author and
Scripture index. ISBN: 9781629043630 -- 190 pp, PB. $16.95
Daily Goodies:
365 Thoughts on Scriptural Truths(#1747) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
This is a great resource for personal and family study, as well as a
valuable reference volume covering many varied biblical themes.
This is a collection of choice selections
from the author’s Daily
E-mail Goodies. These free daily
e-mails began being issued in 2003 and contain studies on scriptural
themes. ISBN:
9781934251744
-- 490 pp, PB,
$19.95
Ephesians & Colossians: Scripture for
the Present Administration (#3807) by – Clyde L. Pilkington,
Jr. Ephesians and Colossians are the present truth for the current
dispensation. Ephesians introduces the Secret Administration in which we
live, while Colossians, its companion epistle, completes the Word of
God. There are no other Secret Administration letters beyond Ephesians
and Colossians. 62 pages. Paperback. $5.95
More Daily Goodies: 365 Thoughts on Scriptural
Truths (#3364) Clyde L.
Pilkington, Jr. A great resource for personal and family study, as well
as a valuable reference volume covering many varied biblical themes.
This is a collection of choice selections from the author’s Daily Email
Goodies. 392 pages. PB.$19.95
The Divine Activation of Faithand
the Myth of Free Willby Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. What
is faith? Who is a believer? Is faith a matter of human choice, or is it
a gift from God? Do those who have faith understand and believe
everything correctly? Or, do they experience areas or degrees of
unbelief? Can one be weak or strong in faith? Is there room in faith for
growth? These are among the important questions that are considered in
this work. 72 pages.
Choose Binding:
Divine Lockup
- by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. This work deals scripturally with God’s
sovereignty in the midst of humanity’s current condition of, and future
deliverance from, unbelief, sin, vanity and corruption. Without
question, for all creation, the best is yet to come. Paperback, 66
Pages.
Choose a quantity:
Due
Benevolence:A Study of Biblical
Sexuality (#3775) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.Think
you have read all that there is on the subject of sexuality from the
Bible? Think again! Religious moralist have taken the wonderful gift of
human beauty and sexuality and made them something dirty and sinful.
Much is at stake regarding truth, as well as the nature and character of
God Himself. A groundbreaking work providing…
• A refreshingly honest and uninhibited look at
sexuality.
• A breath of fresh air from the religious and Victorian mentality.
• A daring and valuable glimpse at the wonderful light just outside
sexuality’s prison-cell door. 220pp PB
$24.95
God 101 (Back to Basics)
(#2527)
by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Sadly, there are some who would
teach of a god who somehow does not know all things, is not all
powerful, is not sovereign, and is always changing his mind. This may be
a god of religion, but it is not the God of Scripture. This work goes
back to the basics, back to a scriptural foundation of the True and
Living God.
Paperback. 70 Pages. $4.95
Choose a quantity:
God’s
Holy Nation: Israel and Her Earthly Purpose
(Contrasted with the Body of
Christ and Its Heavenly Purpose)(#2275) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Israel plays a key role in God’s plan of the ages.
Though currently she has been set aside
“until the times of
the nations be fulfi lled,”
He is by no means done with her.
Today, God is operating His purpose in the ecclesia –
the Church, the Body of Christ. The Scriptures provide us with the
clear, critical distinction between God’s
earthly
nation and Christ’s
celestial
body.
Christendom, however, has diminished Israel’s divine
significance in an attempt to advance their artificial homogenization of
Scripture’s grand theme, thus obscuring the glorious evangel of our day
–
“the Good
News of the Happy God”
committed to the trust of Paul,
our Apostle.
This work highlights some of the more prominent
distinctions which belong to God’s literal, physical, earthly nation. In
so doing, it is our desire to allow the reader to see more clearly God’s
dealings with God’s favored nation, so that they may in turn embrace a
far greater
calling and purpose.
ISBN: 9781934251887
-- 360 page PB $19.95
Great
Omission, The:Christendom’s Abandonment of the Biblical Family
(#2010) by Clyde L. Pilkington,
Jr. This book presents twenty years of study, taking a candid
look at the issue of multiple wives in Scripture and society.
The book chapters are: The
Problem; The
Divine Provision; The
Marital Gift; The
Old Testament Scriptural Precedent; The
New Testament Scriptural Precedent; The
Religious System’s Destruction of the Biblical Family; The
History of Its Practice; The
Cultural Issue. This book also
has 14 appendixesISBN: 9781934251713
-- 204 page PB
Choose Quantity
Heaven’s Embassy:
The Divine Plan & Purpose of the Home(#5675) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
The home is central to all of God’s
dealings with man throughout the course of time. It is His Divine
“institution” and “organization” upon the earth; and for the believer,
it is the Embassy of Heaven. An embassy is “the residence or
office of an ambassador.” Since the believer is an ambassador of the
Lord Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:14-21), his home is thus the
Divine Embassy of heavenly ministry. Pauline ministry is centered in
the homes of believers. This is even the true sphere of the Body of
Christ; for this reason our apostle speaks of “church in thy house.”
This book doesn’t focus upon the external specifics of the
ministry of Heaven’s Embassy (such as hospitality); that
will be saved for another volume. Instead, it looks at the
inner-workings of the Embassy itself; focusing upon its very
nature and internal purpose and function. 250 pp. PB
$19.95
I Am! Who and What God Says I Am! The Divine
Reckoning of the Renewed Mind; Daily Thoughts on Divine Life
(#1737) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. People are always talking about
their attempts to discover their true selves – their efforts at trying
to “find themselves.” The believer in the Lord Jesus Christ needs to
find out who they really are. This doesn’t need to be such a difficult
search. All that is really needed is a careful look at the Scriptures,
and a simple faith in the words of who and what God says we are. God
knows who we are; all we need to do is to believe Him. This book
catalogs the Divine Record of who and what God says you are. It is a
short encyclopedia of faith; the truth about you. It is the truth about
you, simply because it is God Who has said it. God has spoken these
truths concerning you – the real you. Believe His record! Refuse
to be a shell of a person, pushed into a mold of Adamic conformity. Be
the real unique you whom God has designed you to be. Refuse to be
bullied out of your divinely designed identity that our Father has given
you. Understanding and believing these glorious truths will allow you
the freedom to be at rest.ISBN:
9781934251737 --
107pp PB $9.95
Choose a quantity:
I Choose! Living
Life to Its Fullest
(#4120) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Forty-Eight
Daily Thoughts on Divine Life. You are alive! Yet not just alive,
but alive with the very life of God! Don’t allow your “What if…”
imaginations of the past or the future to lay claim to the present that
God has given you. Allow the objective, unchanging truth of who God has
made you in the Lord Jesus Christ to transform your mind and life as you
take this spiritual journey of “I Choose.”
ISBN: 9781934251324 / 1934251321
--192 page PB $16.95
King
James Version, The: 400 Years of Bondage – 1611-2011
(#4682) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. 1611 was not a high spiritual mark
in the history of the church, the Body of Christ. Instead of being a
grand year of the pinnacle of preservation or perfection of God’s Word,
it was rather the sad depths of the subtle corrupting of God’s Word by
the historic union of governmental and ecclesiastical politics. 76 page
PB $9.95
A Look at Alcohol in the Scriptures
(#1150)
by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Don’t be fooled by the teetotalism. Contrary
to what many attempt to teach, the Scriptures are replete with the
divine gift and godly blessings of alcohol. 54 page PB.$4.95
Mars’ Hill - A Study on Acts 17
(#3371) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Even among those who
place a great emphasis on Paul, with his unique apostleship and
message, there is an amazing neglect of one of his most outstanding
messages found in the Book of Acts: his message given on Mars’ Hill.
The content of his message to this group of unbelieving pagans has
been overlooked for far too long. These words of Paul contain a very
rich message. Preserved in the Scriptures, we know that it not only
was a challenge to the pagans of Athens but that it will prove to be
a challenge to the members of Christ’s Body as well. 66
pages. Paperback. $4.95
The
Myth of Easter: The “Christian Mythology” Series (#1675) by Clyde
L. Pilkington, Jr. This is an overview of the pagan myths related to
Easter along with the scriptural truth of Christ’s resurrection,
with chart. 72 page BK $4.95
Nothing
Will Be Lost!
The Truth About God’s Good News
by Clyde L.
Pilkington, Jr. This is an
abridgement of the larger work The Salvation of All. It is designed as a
give-away edition, with quantity pricing available. 88 page PB.
Choose Quantity
Outsiders, The: God’s Called-Out Ones –
A Biblical Look at the
Church – God’s Ecclesia (#4125)
by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
In 1995, after sixteen years
of being in the “pastorate” the author walked away. He left the "religious
system" by resigning
from the very “church” and “ministry” he had formed. In many ways this
work is a testament to these actions. This testimony was thirty years in
the making -- the results of a spiritual journey that the author found
to be common to other saints scattered throughout the world and across
history. This is an opportunity to explain why some who love the Lord no
longer "go to church." It does not seek to persuade others to do
something different; but rather to simply be who and what
they already are “in Him.” This is an uncovering of the truth
of the church, and an encouragement for the members of His Body to
enjoy the position and standing “in Christ” that they already possess,
realizing that they are truly “complete in Him” (Colossians
2:10), that He alone is their Life (Colossians 3:4), and that His
Life is full of freedom (Galatians 5:1). ISBN: 9781934251614
-- 128 page PB
Choose a quantity:
“Pastors”
- The Ascension Gifts, the Higher Powers of Romans 13, and the Secret
Administration(#3760) by Clyde L. Pilkington,
Jr. The modern role of “pastor” is not founded on Scripture, but
instead is an institutional fabrication of Protestantism. The Ascension
Gifts of Ephesians 4 were prophetically a part of Israel’s Old Testament
promises. The “higher powers” of Romans 13 were not a reference
to civil authorities, but rather the spiritual rulers over the
Acts-Period churches. Since Acts 28 (the dispensational boundary line)
the “powers that be” have been withdrawn. Under the current
Secret Administration all of these “gifts” are inoperative. The
One Body has no flesh-and-blood rulers. We are to be submissive only to
our Head: the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him alone do we owe our allegiance.
75 pages. Paperback. $8.95
Plowboy’s
Bible, The : God’s Word for Common Man
(#4425) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Shocking
conclusions from the man that broughtyouThe KingJamesBible Song.
This book represents years of study and a significant change in
understanding. Raised on and trained in a “KingJames Only” position, most of the author’s
teaching ministry was centered on the defense of the KJV. He had early
associations with major proponents of this position and their followers.
He actively taught classes and seminars on the subject of
Bible versions. For many years he distributed
thousands of books from a collection of over 100 different titles in
support of the KJV position. Here he shares what he has come to see that
has caused him to completely abandon his former position. 254pp PB
$19.95
Prehistoric Creatures: Chosen in Christ Before the
Disruption of the World (#4040) Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
This is a brief look at our place in God’s plan: one that pre-dates “the
disruption of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). 37 pages. PB $3.95
Salvation
Of ALL, The: Creation’s Final
Destination
(A Biblical Look at Universal Reconciliation)Expanded
Edition (#7001) by
Clyde L.
Pilkington, Jr. The Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is truly
better “Good News” than we could ever have imagined. It is far more
glorious than religion would ever have us believe. The Salvation of
All is a book about a “Good News” that will reach its final goal in
the salvation of all mankind. ISBN: 9781934251010 / 1934251011
--316 page PB Expanded Edition (132 additional pages) $19.95
French Translation
Le Salut de Tous: Destination
Finale de la Création (Un Regard Biblique sur la Réconciliation
Universelle) (#5269) Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. (Translated
by – Rock Bérubé, Rock Arsenault) This is the French translation of
The Salvation of All, a biblical look at Universal Reconciliation.
It details a “Good News” that will reach its final goal in the salvation
of all. 303 pages. PB. $19.95
The Seven Administrations - The Basic
Dispensations of Scripture (#3838) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Throughout Scripture we are presented with various administrations.
These administrations, sometimes called “dispensations,” or “economies,”
are divine managements, stewardships, or households. They are the
organization and implementation of a specific divine purpose. This is an
introductory look at the seven basic administrations in Scripture.
Grasping the overall scope of these will greatly assist us in
understanding the Scriptures. Such an awareness of our place in the
Divine plan can save us from much confusion, heartache, and despair.
Extensive endnotes. Overview chart. 69 pages
$6.95
Steps I Have Taken,
Theby
Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. (#1175) A short autobiographical work. 65
pages, Paperback,
$5.95
Studeren
in het Schriftwoord (DUTCH)
(#1125) door Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Een
verzameling artikelen van Clyde, over verschillende onderwerpen,
vertaald in het Nederlands. O.a. "Heb ik een identiteitscrisis? Ik ben
wie en wat God zegt dat ik ben! " en "Laat vrijheid klinken!"159 paginas
PB $9.95
Suffering:
God’s Forgotten Gift (#5150) Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Two gifts given to the believer are mentioned by Paul in Philippians
1:29. The first is “to believe on
Him.” This is a glorious gift. Every believer has been given
this gift from God. Those who possess it may not even fully recognize it
as a gift from Him, but indeed faith is God’s wonderful gift to us.
Faith is a rich gift from God, but there is also another gift from God
to the believer, mentioned by Paul in Philippians 1:29, that is equally
as glorious. The second gift is “also
to suffer for His sake.” This, too, is a glorious gift. Every
believer has been given this gift from God as well, but those who
possess it often do not fully recognize it for what it is. Indeed,
suffering for His sake similarly is God’s wonderful gift to us. Paul
teaches us to embrace this second gift as well as we do the first! ISBN:
9781934251584 -- 100 page PB.
Choose a quantity:
Things I Misunderstood (#4071) Clyde
L. Pilkington, Jr. Early on in his life and ministry, what the author
knew and taught about the themes found in this book were simply what he
had learned since childhood: traditional Evangelical Christian doctrine.
However, in time he would come to see things quite differently. In this
work he shares with the reader things that he had misunderstood, and
after fifty years of personal Scripture study, what he now understands:
realizations that have brought him great peace. This work covers Things
I Misunderstood (#4071) … about God … about Salvation … about Christ’s
Sacrificial Work … about the Rich Man & Lazarus, and … about Prophecy.
194 pages. PB $19.95
Ultimate Liberation: Beyond Forgiveness
(The Justification from and of Sin) by Clyde L.
Pilkington, Jr. (#2510) Many people labor under a heavy weight of guilt
and shame. The answer is to be found only in the total provision that
God Himself has already provided! Paperback. 60 Pages.
$4.95
Choose a quantity:
The
Undoing of Adam (and the Approach Present of God) by
Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. Christ is greater than Adam, undoing what Adam
did. In fact, Christ’s work at Calvary is greater than Adam’s fall. All
of God’s creation will be gloriously saved by the successful work of
“the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). Salvation is not dependent on us
at all; it is all about Christ and His work alone. Paul taught that the
exact same “all” who are condemned in Adam are the exact same “all” who
are justified in Christ (Romans 5:18), and that the exact same “all” who
die in Adam are the exact same “all” who are “made alive” in Christ (I
Corinthians 15:22). Christianity has an Adam who is greater than Christ;
however, it is Christ Who is greater than Adam. A note concerning the
cover: We wanted a cover that would immediately convey the theme of the
book’s content, choosing to go with a traditional “cross” scene to
express the work of Christ at Calvary. Yet Christ did not die on a
“cross,” but was nailed to a simple “stake.” An explanation is provided
in the appendix. 98 Pages. Paperback.
Choose a quantity:
We
Call Him “Father” (#3609) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
“One God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all”
(Ephesians 4:6, Concordant Version). Jesus Christ came to reveal God’s
true identity and nature as “Father.” This was an advanced revelation
concerning God, super-abounding that of any previous one. With radical
boldness Christ called Him “Father,” and Paul pressed this glorious
truth to its grand ultimate, that God was the “Father of all.” 28
chapters, 18 appendixes. 242 Pages. Paperback. $19.95
Wife Loving: The Husband’s Paramount Privilege
(#0462) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. This book is about
Christ-mentored husbandry; a look at husbands’ important and honored
role of loving their wives. So lofty and divine is its pursuit, Paul
presents none other than Christ Himself as the mentor: “Husbands, love
your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.” 978-1-62904-046-2 US
Trade 6x9 PB. $9.95
Will We Escape Death? (#5016) by –
Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. The plight of humanity is mortality and death.
In every age the believer’s hope has always been resurrection from the
dead and the glory which lays beyond. It was Satan who first introduced
the idea, “Thou shalt not surely die.” So, what makes anyone think that
Satan was right – that we are actually not going to die? What makes
someone expect that, of all of the people who have ever lived before
them, they will somehow be the ones who will escape death? The answer,
in one word: tradition. 55 pages. Paperback. $4.95
World
Affairs and National Politics: And the High Calling of God in Christ
Jesus
(#4250) by Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
When did nationalism begin? What is God’s purpose for nationalism? Is
the United States a Christian nation? Does any government have Favored
Nation Status with God today? Should believers support Israel? What did
Paul have to say about our citizenship? What is our role in relation to
nations? Is our job to rid the world of evil? What should the believer’s
attitude be toward earthly authority? Should all obedience to earthly
magistrates be absolute? Are believers to pay their taxes? Where does
voting and jury duty fit in? Why was the apostle Paul executed? These
and many other questions are addressed in this groundbreaking work!
ISBN: 9781934251911 -- 258 page PB
$14.95
SPECIAL (Combo Set) - $14.95
The, Church in Ruins:
Brief Thoughts on II Timothy
The
Outsiders: God’s Called-Out Ones –
A Biblical Look at the
Church – God’s Ecclesia