Getting Job-ed
It’s so easy to overlook what the purpose is for the Church. Its purpose is wrapped up in its mission and task. The following is a paper that was written in 2023 for Belhaven University. This is part 2 of 2:
Throughout Scripture, the tasks given to the church include evangelism, nurturing believers, and worship.(10) Attention will be given to each.
The Tasks of the Church
If the goal of creation is to make images of God throughout the world which is reflected in the Great Commission given by Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20),(11) then evangelism is one of the primary methods for how the church will accomplish this task.(12) Ironically, even after the Great Commission was given, the disciples did not recognize that the Church was going to be the tool to bring about the gathering of the people of God throughout the world. In Acts 1, the disciples were taught by Jesus for 40 days yet still thought it would be His goal to restore the kingdom to ethnic Israel (Acts 1:6). Yet Jesus responds, “…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV, emphasis added). It would be the Church that would take the message of the good news to the ends of the earth.
This makes practical sense for the Church as well. The Church, based on its nature and calling from Christ, is not the Church unless it is on mission.(13) The mission of the church is to “send” (as the term “missio” in Latin is used) itself into the world to gather a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to worship God their King (Revelation 5:9).(14) As the apostle Paul observed, the Church must spread the gospel through preaching to the ends of the earth, or else the success of that mission may be at stake (Romans 10:14-15).
In the New Testament, there is even the concept that evangelism and outreach are seen as acts of mercy and good works to other people (both believers and non-believers).(15) Conceptually, this is seen in Acts 11:29 for believers helping other believers. Yet, not as obvious, the concept of loving our enemies and doing good to those that hate us is also the call of Christ’s followers living on mission (Luke 6:35-36). This, in and of itself, is an outreach to nonbelievers and a form of evangelism from the Church.
Nurturing the believers of the Church is necessary and is one of the primary tasks of the Church, especially when it is gathered together. The simple fact is that Jesus, in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, does not say to simply make Christian converts and that this is the primary function of the church. Christ says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19 ESV, emphasis added). This is an important distinction－Christians are to make disciples, other maturing Christ-image bearers to reach other unreached future image bearers. As Paul stated, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28 ESV).
Maturing in our walk and relationship with God is essential. Christians should strive to be mature and grow, or else run the risk of only living immaturely on milk and not solid food (as the author of Hebrews 5:11-14 warns against), which also comes with the dangers of not having deep roots to keep the believer from a shipwrecked faith in times of tribulation/persecution (Matthew 13:18-23 Ephesians 4:11-14). The Church is to foster this growth in maturity, challenging the believer to take their knowledge and relationship with God to new depths in community with each other.
As offensive as this statement may sound, worship of God is the primary task of the Church. However, this is not “worship” as the Western church understands “worship” (i.e. worship music, etc.) with its catchy lyrics, impressive song services, and stage performances.(16) Our understanding of “worship” should derive from a more biblical concept. The Apostle Paul displays the pervasive nature worship should have on our lives by stating, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). Worship should include all aspects of life－family gatherings, jobs, relationships, how we spend our money, what we think, how we talk to people, and how we pray. The task of the Church for worship, from Genesis to Revelation, is to be the image of God and to take that image into the world to create other image bearers of God as their act of worship.
Why do we want people to get saved? Is it just to keep people from going to hell? Is it to get more numbers on the winning side? No. To answer this question, Frame states, “Ultimately the answer is this: so that they will glorify God so that they will worship him.”(17) God is seeking to have a people that worship Him (John 4:23, Revelation 5:8-14). This is the consummation of their creation－for His people to be in God’s presence, being fully satisfied in Him and enjoying Him forever (Psalm 16:11, 86:8-9; Revelation 21-22).(18)
It is important to observe that balance must be given to all three tasks of the church (evangelism, nurturing believers, and worship) and not neglect one for the other.(19) Dangers arise in evangelical churches when churches emphasize one aspect over the other－all three are necessary and important.(20) If the church is not partaking in one of these actions, the entity that identifies as the “church” should be called into question. If a church is not worshipping (as the Bible understands worship, even as imperfect as fallen humans can be) is highly questionable whether the entity is a real church. If the entity is not evangelizing in some form or fashion, the entity is at risk of forsaking both the Cultural Mandate and the Great Commission. The health of the church is called into question if the entity is not focused in some way on building and nurturing its body of believers.
The Importance of the Mission and Tasks
The importance of the mission and task of the Church cannot be over-emphasized. If a firm grasp of the intent that God has for His believers is not realized, His people are at risk of missing the mark with their goals in life, veering from His purpose for His believers. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 gives the Church its marching orders: Go into all the world and make other image bearers of God.(21) This understanding of the believer’s purpose in life gives purpose and meaning to all actions－our mission in life is to push the boundaries of darkness by taking the light of Christ to all people. We continue to grow in our walk with God and to help nurture others to grow in their walk with God in community. All of this is encompassed as acts of worship, as we continue to worship with other image-bearers of God while the Kingdom of God spreads throughout the earth.
Understanding the importance of the task and mission of the Church has been vital for shaping my life and ministry. For my life, the mission of the Church keeps me focused and on track. When I veer off and pursue selfish desires, God graciously (and at times painfully, if needed) points me back to what is important and what the initiatives given from Him to His people are. The task and mission of the church keep me accountable to my family, friends, and people within my reach in order to faithfully minister to them and to help them grow into the God image-bearer that they are created to be. Much is at stake in my walk and for those whom I influence in regard to the mission and task given to the Church–if I fail or falter, what will my witness say about Christ and His Church? This question even affects close relationships, such as with my wife and daughter and their sanctification. This accountability and God’s persistence within me (Philippians 2:12-13) keeps me from failing (at least not indefinitely), not making shipwreck of my faith, and, God willing, continuing to grow others into mature and strong image-bearers of Christ.
Likewise, the mission and task of the Church keep me on track to seeing the importance of worship, evangelism, and nurturing the body of believers through my ministry. Practical questions I often ask myself: Are my individual and outward expressions of worship of God healthy? How mission-driven is my evangelism to other people, whether directly or indirectly (while direct evangelism through speaking of God or indirectly such as casual interactions at work)? How am I building up the body of the Church by nurturing God’s followers (being faithful to the ministry I have been given in order to keep those within my reach well-fed)? These questions keep my life and ministry on track and accountable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, God sovereignly is overseeing that His Bride, that is, His Church, will not fail in the mission and task it has been set apart to do, no matter the opposition. And, although God is sovereign, our optimism and our diligence in the Church toward completing its mission and tasks on earth greatly matters.(22) God will see to it that history arrives at its ordained consummation, and an integral part of that plan is the mission and task given to the Church. The purpose of this paper was to define what the church is, to state what the Bible teaches about the mission and task of the church (Evangelize, Nurture, and Worship), to discuss the importance of this doctrine, and mention how the understanding of the church shapes my life and ministry.
Footnotes
10. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 1064.
11. Third Millenium Ministries, “Your Kingdom Come Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation,” accessed
July 22, 2023, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/228
12. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 1064.
13. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 1033.
14. R.C. Sproul, “R.C. Sproul: The Biblical Basis for Missions,” accessed July 31, 2023, https://
churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/419321-r-c-sproul-missions.html
15. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 1066-1067.
16. John Piper, “Let The Nations Be Glad,” accessed August 4, 2023, https://www.desiringgod.org
/messages/let-the-nations-be-glad–3
17. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 1037.
18. Chad Van Dixhoorn, Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms: A Reader’s Edition, (Illinois, Crossway, 2022), 411.
19. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 1065.
20. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 1067.
21. Douglas Wilson, “An Evening of Eschatology- Premillennialism, Amillennialism, Postmillennialism,”
accessed August 9, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S0TQ2dXnms
22. Voddie Baucham, “Missions Conference 2023 Speaker Q&A | Dr. Voddie Baucham & Pastor
Douglas Wilson,” accessed August 4, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXv-Py1PAe0
Bibliography
Baucham, Voddie, “Missions Conference 2023 Speaker Q&A | Dr. Voddie Baucham & Pastor
Douglas Wilson,” accessed August 4, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXv-
Py1PAe0
Dever, Mark, “The Church and Evangelism,” accessed July 20, 2023, https://www.desiringgod
.org/messages/the-church-and-evangelism
Frame, John, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, (New Jersey, P&R
Publishing Company, 2013).
Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed., (Michigan,
Zondervan, 2020).
Piper, John, “Let The Nations Be Glad,” accessed August 4, 2023, https://www.desiringgod.org
/messages/let-the-nations-be-glad–3
Roberts, Vaughn, God’s Big Picture, (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2002).
Sproul, R.C., “The Mission of the Church is Eternal,” accessed July 29, 2023, https://www.
ligonier.org/learn/articles/mission-church-eternal
Sproul, R.C., “R.C. Sproul: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church,” accessed July 23, 2023,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QmeBPHOXLY
Sproul, R.C., “R.C. Sproul: The Biblical Basis for Missions,” accessed July 31, 2023, https://
churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/419321-r-c-sproul-missions.html
Third Millenium Ministries, “Your Kingdom Come Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation,” accessed
July 22, 2023, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/228
Van Dixhoorn, Chad, Creeds, Confessions, & Catechisms: A Reader’s Edition, (Illinois,
Crossway, 2022).
Wilson, Douglas, “An Evening of Eschatology- Premillennialism, Amillennialism,
Postmillennialism,” accessed August 9, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=4S0TQ2dXnms
