What Is The Purpose Of The 'Church'?

In short, the purpose of the Church is Ministry.  According to Grudem, there are three types of ministry:  the ministry to God, the ministry to the believers, and the ministry to the world.

Ministry To God - 'Doesn't God minister to us?' you might ask.  Of course - but this type of ministry to God is also known as worship.  All believers (which means the Church) are directed to 'sing their praises to God', and to live for the 'praise of His glory'.  This is perhaps the most obvious attribute to the world, when they see the believers gathering and singing praises, praying, and contributing to the ministry.

"...in Him we were also chosen...in order that we...might be for the praise of His glory."   Ephesians 1:11a,12a,c

Ministry To Believers - The corporate body is also there for each other.  In a healthy and growing Church body, there are many needs, and many gifts to meet these needs.  From the nurturing of the new believer, to the exaltation of God's work in our lives, we help each other grow in the Spirit.  We provide each other accountability, moral and financial support, and share in each other's grief's and joy.  The communion each of us have with and for each other provide a network of support that enables the furthering of the will of God in the community.  Strong and mature believers are the foundation of that support.

"It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."  Ephesians 4:11-13

Ministry To The World - Finally, the Church is the image of Christ to the world.  When we were taught by Christ to pray 'thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven', it is through the Church that He intends to accomplish this.  As the poet said, "He gave us a promise and He gave us a job - He'll be with us but the work is up to us."*  We are to take the unity and matured gifts we have nurtured in our balanced and growing Church, and extend the love of Christ to the world, which is hurting and lost without Him.  In effect, we are Christ to the world - when the non-believer sees us (our actions and love), they are seeing the actions and love of Christ. 

"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."  John 20:21b

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."  Matthew 28:19a

Sacraments - Another purpose of the Church is to carry out the sacrament demands of Christ.  These actions, such as baptism, communion, and the liturgies, are commands of obedience that serve to remind the believers of Christ's love, deeds, and promises to us.  They provide unity and focus among believers, and expression to the outside world to that which the Church is committed. 

"...Do this in remembrance of me."  1 Corinthians 11:24b

"...repent and be baptized, every one of you..."  Acts 2:38b

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs..."  Ephesians 5:19a

Balance - The Church that is healthy and growing is the Church that is balanced in all the above attributes.  It is obvious, then, that the healthy and growing Church is dependent upon willing and able members to develop and promote these attributes.  For it is not just the 'pastor's' who are the ministers, but every member of the Universal Church of Jesus Christ.

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M. Sutherland

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