Purpose of the Church

Recently, I was asked to write what I saw as the role of the local church. For the sake of answering the question, I went with " My initial response would be that the task of Christian ministry is simultaneously simple and yet overwhelming. Christian ministry and the local church are tasked with being the hands and feet of Christ to each other and the world around them. The church also serves as the place for believers and unbelievers to come and learn more about God in Christ through the teachings of the Bible and it's application to life. My church aims to facilitate intimacy with God, community with insiders and influence with outsiders. Hopefully, churches and para-church ministries serve to provide opportunities for Christians to bless the rest of the world, and to connect those who are not in relationship with their heavenly father to Him." I answered the question for the sake of the application, but I also know there is so much more to it. Given the popularity of Barna's "Revolution, " it is obvious that people are asking what is the purpose of the church, and does my local community of faith serve the God given purpose for a church?

As my previous posts note, I like my church, but I am curious to see how it "scores" if evaluated based on my interpretation of the role of the church. Do we serve as the hands and feet of Christ to our community, or in the larger national or international community? Somewhat. I feel like we do the basics that I am pleased we do, but we do not do enough to be known for our service. We had/have a great ministry to the hurricane victims, we send missions teams all over the world to build new facilities and help in practical ways, and many other worthwhile things, but I do not see service as a major focus that defines who we are. A friend of mine is on staff at an emergent church and as a part of their small groups, every fourth week they serve somewhere in their local community as a group. They also have a huge heart for social justice within their community and beyond. Service is a core part of who they are and who they are known as.

In regards to the church being the place where believers and non - believers come to learn more about God in Christ through the teachings of the Bible and it's application to life I would say we score pretty highly. Kudos to our staff! We are treated to relevant biblical teaching, we have events that reinforce this teaching, and our kids are taught through a variety of mediums the truths of God.

Although our church is a formal organization, I don't want to rely on the building or the staff to be the church. As I was taught all through Sunday School growing up, the church is the people. My formal church may not be at the forefront of service, but I can personally participate in service and in so doing be Christ's hands and feet to the world around me. I can serve in formal ways such as volunteeering at a rescue mission, or I can serve my friends and family and those whom I come into contact with in very informal, practical ways.

In a recent interview with McLaren, he said, "I see the church as a community that teaches people to live in and for the Kingdom, spiritually forming disciples who are agents of the Kingdom in their daily lives, in their jobs, among their neighbors, and even their enemies." (www.criswelljournal.com) That is a pretty lofty goal, and one that if accomplished would transform our world!