The Purpose of the Church

On Tuesday of this week I had lunch with Brandon Thomas. Brandon is the at Keystone Church in Keller, TX. We talked about a lot of things, but one thing we both are passionate about is the purpose of the church. One thing that makes Keystone and Lifeway different from many churches is our position on the purpose of the church. The prevailing model of the church says, "the church exists to teach, equip, and care for the believer, and to evangelize the lost." I told Brandon, "I believe that definition is dangerously close to being right. At this point Brandon chimed in with, "I tell our people to accept that definition of the church is to tell our grandchildren, 'You can go to hell.'" He is so right. The prevailing model of the church lends itself to a, "the church is here for me", mentality. Sure we say, "...and evangelize the lost", but so often we never get around to doing it because we have too many needs of our own that keep getting in the way. If, however, we accept what I believe is a Biblical model of the church that church is made up of believers who exist to reach those who do not know or trust God then we derive many benefits from belonging to such a church. We, like members of our human body, are nurtured, equipped, cared for, and experience tremendous community and discover incredible significance.

We can't afford to get this wrong - better yet - our grandchildren can't afford for us to get this wrong.

"If we give up our life for his sake AND THE GOSPEL'S we will find it (life)", Mark 8:35 (emphasis added).

Make the most of this summer. Invest in some one you can invite to church and ultimately to know Christ. Invite them over for a cookout or take them out for ice cream. Earn the relationship and the right to be heard and invite them to church.

STEPS

How can you become a fully mature follower of Christ? How does a person go from a casual attender at church to a leader in his church? You take steps! No one arrives at spiritual maturity over night and no one arrives at spiritual maturity by accident. Becoming like Christ requires intentionality and upward progress over a long period of time - one step at a time. As simple and obvious as it seems I've met few leaders who understand this (that's a subject for another day).

Think about your own life. How did you get to where you are today? You took steps. For me I went to church once - that was my first step. I liked it and decided to go back - my second step. I kept going back semi-regularly until a man invited Debbie and me to be a part of his small group and we went - that was my third step. I continued to grow in my understanding and knowledge of the Lord until one day I was asked to teach a small group - my fourth step. Leading a small group was a challenge that caused me to see my need of regular Bible study and prayer - a fifth step. Honestly, I'm still taking steps.

Some time today go out and take a walk. Walk for ten minutes without stopping then turn around and see how far you have gone. It may surpise you just how far you can get in a short time, one step at a time if you just keep walking.

Now take another step toward Christ and keep taking steps and in time you too will be surprised at how far you've come in a short time.

Take the apostle Paul's advise: "Forgetting what's behind us (how many steps you've not taken) and press forward to what lies ahead..."

Keep on stepping!