I'd like to congratulate two wonderful friends on announcing their engagement this weekend. Vince Francesi from Bluffton, IN to Brooke Huber from Sabetha, KS. I wish them God's richest blessings as they move foward in life together. They are wonderfully committed Christians and I have the deepest respect for them both. I have no doubt that they will strive to keep Christ at the center of their relationship and bring Glory and Honor to Him.
Ok, enough of the mushy stuff. ;)
I had a question this weekend that I'm going to try and make time to study this week. I thought of it when the elder was speaking during some testimonies I went to this weekend.I have heard many reasons for why people need a church and why church's exist, but I couldn't think of any scripture pertaining to this. If anyone has any insite I'd love to hear it! I'm looking specifically for what the Bible has to say about it, but I'd love to hear opinions/personal stories also.
13 comments:
My first thought on what is the purpose of a church? was of the verse "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
I think church is an important assembling together to worship together. We can get together with fellow Christians to play games or do fun stuff, but as the verse indicates, we need to gather together to help one another spiritually and to worship together. My last few weeks have reiterated to me the importance of that.
That's just my first thought. I'm sure I'll have more...whether they'll be 'comment worthy' or not ... ?
I came across that same verse right after I read this post. I have this great inspirational "calendar" with thoughts and quotes from well-known Christian women. The one I found today said this: "It seems to me that one of the ills of our culture is a sense of alienation, of being disconnected and adrift. We were made for community, and when we live in isolation we carry our burdens alone. The writer to the Hebrews recognized our tendency to pull away from one another as life becomes more complicated and days are dark. His words speak to one of our deepest needs today: 'Let us not give up meeting together,...but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.'(10:25)"
God has answers for everything, doesn't He? :)
Oh and that was Sheila Walsh for those of you who were curious.
What is the purpose of church? Admittedly, that's a question I never really gave much thought to. I know that there are two big camps of thinking on this issue. Some people think that church should be geared toward the unbeliever, while others believe that church should be geared toward building up, strengthening, equipping, and (when needed) even disciplining believers. Personally, I think that church should be for the believer.
I have heard quite a few different philosophies about what the purpose of the church should be. This is the one that I most agree with: "The church is to provide for corporate worship on the part of believers, the instruction of the faithful in the Word of God and its application, and the fellowship, comfort, exhortation, rebuke, and sharing in the needs of the entire body of Christ."
Obviously, there isn't a Scripture that says, "This should be the purpose of church...", but maybe there are still some Bible passages that could be applied to church situations.
Col 3:15-17 says, "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."
Eph. 4:11-16 says, "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." Perhaps churches should help prepare Christians for ministry.
There's more I could say, but this comment is certainly long enough! I'm really interested in seeing what others think about this topic.
take the question one step further . . . . what is the definition of a/the church?
Katie: There are two definitions as far as I could find.
1.the whole company of the redeemed throughout the present era, the company of which Christ said, "I will build My Church," Matt_16:18, and which is further described as "the Church which is His Body," Eph 1:22; Eph 5:23
2.A specific gathering of a small group who are a part of the bigger group in the first designation.
The definition I was refering to was the second one. What's the Biblical purpose of the local church? What does the Bible say about it?
Luke I really think it's as simple as us being created to fellowship with God and with one another. You can see that from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden.
The unfortunate part is in the organized local church (not the spiritual one: great question/challenge Katie), is that the politics of it all tends to get in the way of the fellowship sometimes. But that's a whole other conversation.
I feel its even as simple as just Love and Support. I've known a few (we all have) people who decided they don't need the support and stop coming. Only to fall on their face and to weaken spiritualy.
Then where are they?
Who are they?
They start to lose their identity in Christ. Just "Blend in" to the world and its activities.
"70% of first year college students walk away from their faith!?"
Scary fact if you ask me.
Maybe it's because they walked away from church first??
Just a thought.
Love all ya.
God Bless
I agree that love and support is quite possibly the general biggest role of the church.
I think the church is there for individuals...to help people to find and keep the Way to salvation. It's a place to be encouraged, uplifted, sometimes corrected or even admonished, reminded & taught (1 Cor 14:17), loved, and served, and a place where we can serve one another. It's a place where we can worship with others, ideally without distractions. A place where we can be edified (1 Cor 14:5&12).
Tonto is right--when people decide they don't need the support of the church and stop attending church (or perhaps are just unable to attend church), they do weaken spiritually. I'm thankful to be part of a church that holds its members accountable.
Those are my thoughts. My apologies for not including more scriptural references.
Thanks everyone for the good thoughts!
Stephanie: Politics in the church is definitely a clever tool that satan uses to pry us apart.
Raincaller: Thanks for that! That wraps it up beautifully and actually leads in wonderfully to my next post. :)
Why are there different churches? Why do we instist on adding a modifier on what type of Christian we are? Aren't all Christians part of the church? Sometimes I wonder what God thinks when he looks down on the earth and sees hundreds of different denominations all claiming to be the "true" church.
Course, If I would goto bed before I get delusional, I wouldn't think these things up, and even if I did, I would be better able to articulate my thoughts.
Oh well.
G'Night all.
Because since Adam and Eve people have been the problem. We whine, we complain, we hate, we cause confusion, we decieve, we gossip, we back bite, we pout, "lifes not fair", "I shouldn't have to do that, I don't have a problem in that area",...etc..etc..etc..... we sin.
There are many churches because people like to find a church "that fits them." The same base-line instinct that causes people to twist the wording of the Bible to fit their situations.
Among other reasons... but thats what shot into my head first.
People are pitiful.... we stink.
Thank God, He still loves us enough to send Christ.
God doesn't love us because we're valuable. We're valuable because God loves us!
Praise God,
Tonto
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