Our Purpose

Here's a really good post from Lloyd Moritz. Lloyd is the Area Administrator of the Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God.


For Whom Do We Exist?

One of the biggest challenges churches face today is balancing the needs of the congregation with our Great Commission ministry within the world. This can create internal tension, and ultimately raises the question: For whom do we exist?

The church’s purpose, as the Body of Christ, is to represent Jesus in the world. That is, to be the agent of the Kingdom of God, reaching out to the lost. Biblically, we exist for the sake of the world to draw people to God.

The church, however, is also a close community where we find our unity in Christ and are drawn together and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We encourage each other along to become better disciples, and care for each other within this new family.

Unfortunately, the internal needs and activities of a church can become so great that they overshadow the bigger ministry to which we are called. The focus of the church becomes people inside the church (and the associated programs, facilities, etc.) instead of people outside of it. A common response to this tension is: Why do we have to choose which is most important? Why not consider both ministries as equal?

While this is the safe response, in reality it is impossible to simply balance an inward focus within an outward one. This is because often there can be conflict between these competing priorities. Sadly, the needs of the congregation members themselves usually take precedence when tough decisions have to be made. This is one of the reasons why churches struggle with worship styles, budget planning, building usage, staffing, program development, etc.

Recapturing the church’s mission demands a deliberate commitment to obedience to Jesus’ mission and our part in it. It means intentionality and a prioritization of resources. It also requires a complete realignment of focus that will resist the gravitational pull of being self-centered as a congregation.

So, consider your church: For whom do you exist?

(From PNA Connection, September 2008)