Discover the Purpose of Church
In my post “What is Church,” I suggested we are the church. Church isn’t a place we go—not really. It’s who we are. As the church we should be about worship, community, and helping others.
There’s a lot I didn’t mention. That was intentional. Contrary to the actions and attitudes of many, here is what a church is not:
Church is Not an Obligation
We must never think of church as an obligation. Though most people, at one time or another, make a conscious decision to attend a Sunday morning gathering when they don’t feel like it, that falls under the category of being self-disciplined.
But if the only reason we ever go is out of a sense of obligation, then our motivation is wrong. God is not impressed.
Yes, the Bible commands us to persist in meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25), but that doesn’t necessarily mean a Sunday church service. I think it means hanging out with other believers. That should be fun, not an obligation to fulfill.
Church is Not a Means to Appease Guilt
Some people only attend a religious service on Sunday morning because they’d feel guilty if they stayed home. They were trained from an early age that church is what you did.
If the church doors where open, they were there: Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday night prayer meeting, Thursday visitation . . .
Guilt is a powerful motivator. The avoidance of guilt can propel us to positive action, but it needs to have a benefit greater than appeasing a shame-filled conscience.
Church is Not a Routine
Many Sunday services proceed with a rote precision that attendees follow mindlessly. They come, they go through the motions, and they head home. For them the entire time holds no significance.
While their body acts, their mind drifts, and their spirit remains untouched.
Routine is the enemy of meaningful worship and true community.
An almost parallel aspect of routine exists, called ritual. Though the word ritual carries negative connotations, a positive aspect of ritual is one seeped in deep spiritual mystery.
Some people are drawn to this type of almost-mystical ritual, a sacred practice that supernaturally connects them with the Almighty.
Church is Not a Social Club
Some people pursue church meetings as nothing more than a social gathering, void of spiritual significance. They miss the true meaning of us meeting together. They dishonor God and marginalize his community of followers.
Though one of the characteristics of us as church is community, there’s a distinction between meaningful community and a social get together.
Yes, community contains a significant social aspect, but more importantly it involves intentionality in how we treat one another.
The New Testament gives us over thirty “one another” commands, which starts with the expectation that we love one another.
Church Is Not a Business Promotion Vehicle
Some people become members of a local church as a means for commerce. They join so they can sell, not serve. They go through the motions of worship, and their engagement with community consists only of networking for business.
When my bride and I were first married, another couple from our local congregation invited us to their house. We were ecstatic. Then my mother-in-law shared that this couple had recently signed onto a large multi-level marketing company.
When I asked them directly of their intention, they confirmed my fears that we would experience a sales pitch. We didn’t go, and they never talked to us again. That’s not church. That’s not even good business.
Church is Not a Place to Amass Knowledge
For much of my life I reasoned that the real purpose of a Sunday service was to learn about God. I dismissed the worship part because it bored me. I didn’t see community because it was all social. And, as an inward looking body, we didn’t do any service.
That left the sermon.
But what happens when the sermon doesn’t provide any new information? Does that mean I wasted an hour, or more? But recall the verse that says, “Knowledge puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Amassing knowledge is not the reason we should go to church.
That takes me back to worship, community, and serving others.
We are the church. We gather to worship God, live in community, and serve others.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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