Purpose of the Church

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Our pastor is retiring the end of the year and so as a church we have had some discussions about what is the purpose of the church. There are lots of things you think about when you think about the ministries of the church.

Here’s a list of what I feel we are called to do and to be as a church.

• Worship
• Fellowship - exhorting, encouraging, prayer for each other (bear each other’s burdens)
• Preaching the Word and teaching doctrine
• Outreach - evangelism, minister to the hurting
• Believers’ baptism and communion

The church is mentioned 111 times in the New Testament and so it is an important part of the Christian life.

Its purpose is not to entertain. It is not to be a just a social organization. People shouldn’t have to be “bribed” to attend. They should come to worship God.

Here are some verses I based my list above on:

Acts 2 :42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

I Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Matthew 28:19-20 “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.”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

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