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Lauren Autore
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Raleigh
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 Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: Purposes of the Church |
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I've been thinking a little bit lately about the various purposes of the church. What are they and are some of those purposes more urgent/important than others and therefore require more time/energy/focus? Are all churches called to focus the same purposes in the same degree?
I feel like Acts 2:42-47 might be a good starting place for discussion:
| Quote: | | 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. |
So based on my understanding these verses we've got:
- Teaching and edifying believers
- Fellowship and community at the temple and in homes
- Prayer and worship and sharing of sacraments
- Taking care of one another's needs
- Evangelism
Anyway, I haven't done much study on this topic and I'm really just starting to think about it in more depth. So I'd love to hear others' thoughts, and particularly any other scripture/book/article references that might shed some light. |
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Rob Davis
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 90
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Sharon Butler
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: Purposes of the Church |
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| Lalee wrote: | | I've been thinking a little bit lately about the various purposes of the church. What are they and are some of those purposes more urgent/important than others and therefore require more time/energy/focus? Are all churches called to focus the same purposes in the same degree? |
good questions. if i were to answer them based on my understanding of scripture, i'd note that there is the great commanmdent (to love & serve God & therefore love & serve others) & the great commission (baptizing all nations in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) that is accomplished through other purposes.
so, you've got your basis as follows:
| lauren wrote: | So based on my understanding these verses we've got:
- Teaching and edifying believers
- Fellowship and community at the temple and in homes
- Prayer and worship and sharing of sacraments
- Taking care of one another's needs
- Evangelism |
in that list (& based on the acts 2 passage), i'd say it's more in terms of the significant goals that we would love & serve God and that His name would then be known & others would believe. so, we'd love & serve God by loving otherws, which is done through equipping/teaching/edifying; fellowship/community; prayer/worship together; sharing sacraments in worship; caring for one another; & ultimately being examples of Christ on earth that we may accomplish bringing others to Him by us pointing the way.
hope that makes sense. if not, i'll clarify.
good questions & good ones to ponder.
_________________
well-behaved women rarely make history. |
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Rob Davis
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 90
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Lauren Autore
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Raleigh
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:58 am Post subject: |
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Those are great links and recommendations, Rob. Thanks so much. I look forward to exploring them.
I also just came across another brief article by Tim Keller which breaks down that passage in Acts. I've actually been getting a lot out of listening to some of his sermons lately. Good stuff.
- Lauren |
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Sharon Butler
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 28
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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man, the forums are dead these days. but on topic:
i've been thinking more on this question of the purpose of church & i really think it's a valid question. thanks for posting the tim keller article, lauren. it was good to see it fleshed out more.
i wonder at times if we try so very hard to focus the purpose of the church to one or two things that we think we can do well, much like we do with God at times. it's become increasingly trendy to focus solely on one or two attributes of God (i.e., simply focusing on His mercy & love without considering His discipline & power) & i wonder if we don't do that with church as well.
we had some friends seeking a new church sometime back & attended a couple of services at churches they were checking out. one church was obviously very focused on furthering two attributes of the church as we see in the acts 2 passage & the tim keller article. they appeared to be solely focused on evangelism & on mercy.
i'm not knocking those two things, as i certainly believe they are parts of church; but they are not & should not be stand-alone items. if those two actions alone are the top contenders, then how does one teach examination of scripture? or allow for worship? or fellowship? or accountability? really, it seems these are package deal items that all go hand-in-hand to promote & develop the various parts of the body.
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well-behaved women rarely make history. |
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