What purpose does the church serve? Why is it here? What work did God have in mind when He thought up the church and brought it into existence?

People today have all kinds of unscriptural ideas regarding the purpose for the church. Some see the church as a social club offering programs to its members and the community. Others see the church as a welfare organization offering free goods and services to the needy. Others see the church as an instrument to bring about social justice and reform. We can’t blame them for reaching these conclusions. Many churches today are involved in all kinds of activities like providing daycare, secular education, fitness programs, sports, carnivals, dinners, holiday pageants, and more.

These may be good and beneficial to the community, but the New Testament doesn’t speak of the Lord’s church engaging in such activities.

The Lord’s church is not a man-made institution. It is of divine origin (Eph. 3:10-11). It was built by Jesus (Matt. 16:18) to serve a specific purpose. The church exists to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by making known the “manifold wisdom of God” (v. 10). This is accomplished when the church engages in the work given to it by God.

1. Spread and Uphold the Truth of the Gospel. The local church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” in the community (1 Tim. 3:15). The church supports and upholds the truth like a pillar upholds a structure. Local churches should conduct themselves in such a way that people in the community know them as a place where they can find the truth of God’s word – not as a place where they can find entertainment, recreation, or daycare.

Bible preaching and teaching is a very important work to be done by every local church. The assemblies should be places where the teaching and preaching of the Word will be the primary focus.

The word of God should sound forth from the church by each member living and sharing it in their daily lives. The word can also sound forth by the church taking advantage of opportunities like developing a good website, using social media platforms, having radio and TV programs, offering correspondence courses, and publishing articles in local newspapers.

Churches also engage in this important work by sending forth men to preach in other places (Acts 13:2-3) and helping to financially support faithful preachers in other places (Phil. 4:14-16).

2. Strengthen the Members. God designed the church to be able to both save the lost and strengthen the saved. Both tasks are done through the same means - the teaching and preaching of the gospel. The word of God builds us up, equips us, and strengthens us for service (Acts 20:32).

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). We no longer have apostles and prophets, but we have what they produced - God’s word. The church still has evangelists, pastors (elders), and teachers who can help us better understand God’s word. All this is done to equip the members for the work and to edify or build up the church.

The members aren’t strengthened spiritually through “food, fun, and fellowship” as it is called by some. Recreation and social interaction may help form relationships and improve physical health, but it does not result in spiritual edification.

3. Help Needy Members. The church in the New Testament was involved in helping members who were in financial need (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1-3). Money was given to the church, which in turn was given to the members who were in need.

The New Testament limits the work of church benevolence to needy Christians. “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea” (Acts 11:29). “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:25-26, emphasis mine – HR). Everyone in Judea and Jerusalem was in need, but these funds weren’t sent to help everyone - only needy Christians.

The local church has authority and a responsibility to help their own members who are in financial need. However, this relief is only to be given if they can’t provide for themselves (2 Thess. 3:10) and they don’t have any family who can care for them (1 Tim. 5:3-4, 16). They must also be faithful Christians who are living godly lives (1 Tim. 5:5-15).

Conclusion. The Lord’s church is a divine institution purchased with the blood of Christ. He is the head of the church. Its purpose and work are set forth in the New Testament.