Purpose of the Church
“The primary and only indispensable purpose of the church is to worship God. Worship includes both adoration of God and service or ministry to persons and society. The People of God (those who have become aware of God’s activity in history and responded in faith) participate in the adoration of God by gathering together to celebrate through corporate prayer, hymns, the sacraments of the Lord’s Table and Baptism, the reading of Scripture, sermon, study, fellowship and the like. These acts of corporate worship are not valid unless they result in the People of God going into the world to serve and minister to persons in every area of life. Likewise, deeds of service are invalid as acts of worship unless they result in the adoration of God.
The style of life Jesus lived is the guide for the Church as it fulfills its purpose of ministry. By his life, death, resurrection and continuing presence Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Savior of persons and society. The church is the ministry of Jesus the Christ in the world. The role of the church is to enable persons and institutions of the Gospel, and to call all persons into a community of brotherhood and service.”
from The Futures Commission Report, 1990