Continous Discipleship - Great Ends of the Church

Prayer: Help us to speak the truth in love as we grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Amen.           (Ephesians 4:15)

The Great Ends of the Church are
  • the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind;
  • the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
  • the maintenance of divine worship;
  • the preservation of the truth;
  • the promotion of social righteousness; and
  • the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.                        
                             Book of Order  G-1.0200

In 1920, long before anyone else was talking about a purpose driven church, the United Presbyterian Church of North America adopted this now classic statement. In 1958, when the United Presbyterian Church of North American united with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, this statement became part of our Constitution. It is a wonderful reminder that the church is a beautifully textured and purposed institution, with six basic purposes or goals to which we can apply ourselves. We can’t just pick one and say “this is the main purpose” and discount each of the others. Instead we are called to discern what goals we might be called to fulfill and to encourage others as they seek to fulfill their calling in Christ. Paul said it well 2000 years ago to the church at Corinth, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.”                        
                                     (1 Corinthians 12:27-13:1)

Jack Haberer made this same point in 2001 in his book, GodViews"The Convictions That Drive Us and Divide Us." He says that there are at least five different missional visions of the church; Confessional, Devotional, Ecclesiastic, Altruistic and Activist. He say we sometime get caught up in arguing about which of these “God Views” is most important when in fact they are all important, Spirit inspired and Christ driven goals. He challenges us to “recognize the God-designed, God-given diversity of GodViews that fuel the comprehensive vision God has placed before the church. He challenges us to affirm one another, study scripture together, network with each other, dialogue with each other and ultimately to learn from each other as we grow in the broader purpose and vision of the church.

Prayer: Help us to equip the saint for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Amen.                                                (Ephesians 4:12)