Primary Purpose

Attending a new church, especially one in which I have no responsibility, has given me such a better perspective on church in general. For so many years I have been in the middle of all things related to church that it has been hard to see the big picture and easy to loose sight of what church is supposed to be all about. For most pastors, ministry becomes so much about meeting the needs of the congregation that we can be fooled into thinking that this is primary purpose of the church. While a noble endeavor, keeping the congregation happy is not the primary purpose of a church. 


So if the purpose of church is not about keeping people happy and keeping them coming back, then what is it all about? Well that is a big question but it actually has a simple answer. And as with any question worth asking, Jesus has given us the answer.


In Matthew 28, Jesus spells out the ongoing work of the disciples right before he leaves the earth and descends into heaven: "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:20


"Go ... to all nations..." Well that doesn't seem to be about church, but it's a good reminder for those of us who think that the role of church is to meet our needs as we sit in our favorite seat week after week. 


"Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." I can tell you from experience that you don't need a church to baptize people either, if you have enough water you can do that just about anywhere!


So that just leaves making disciples by teaching people to obey everything that God has commanded - that is something you need a church to accomplish, in fact it is the most important thing a church can do - it is the primary purpose for having church in the first place.


Making disciples - that is what church should be all about - that is the mandate from Jesus for the church 2,000 years ago, and for every church today. There are many great things that a church can do, but this is what we should do because it is the very instruction of Christ as to how we should be spending our time, energy and resources. 


The church I attend now, Vine Community Church of Carbondale, has reminded me of this primary purpose. Discipleship is at the heart of everything they do, it is seen in every ministry decision and heard in every message, and it is really refreshing. I can't help but think that if every church was to really focus on the job of making disciples of all people, the church would be so much stronger, more Godly, and greater equipped to take the great news of Christ to the ends of the earth.


Discipleship is a two way street though: There is the role of the church to make disciples, but each individual believer must be a willing participant in that process. I will write more about that side of things next time. But for now, ask yourself if your church is fulfilling it's primary purpose - are you making disciples?