Why Does the Church Exist?
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
At first glance, this question seems to be ridiculous. Yet, as we look around at the so-called evangelical church, her purpose is unclear. We assume that we know why the church exists. But with the maze of programs, the emphasis on entertainment, and the ungodly messages promoting one’s best life now, the church’s purpose is a mystery.
The visible church is defined as all those who profess Jesus Christ as He is offered in the gospel, and their children. Every local church that teaches Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity is part of the universal visible church. The Protestant Reformation described the true church. It is every church that preaches the pure gospel, administers the two sacraments as ordained by Christ, and exercises biblical church discipline.
God has chosen to reach the lost through the visible church. Romans 10:17 is the clear affirmation of God’s plan. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (ESV). But God has also organized the visible church. “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Every local church that bears the marks of a true church is part of the worldwide visible church of Jesus Christ.
God organized the church and revealed her marks. He chose to reach the lost through her. Likewise, God gave the church one reason to exist, her “Why”. The church has a purpose, a singular purpose. God’s singular purpose or, the “Why”, is to be holy. God commanded the church to be holy because He is holy (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
It is a common error to think that the purpose of the church is her ministries. Activities such as preaching, teaching, liturgy, and programs are often used to define the purpose of the church. But unless God’s revealed reason for the church’s existence is the foundation of all that work, the church fails to be faithful to God’s call. Put another way, unless we understand who and what we are to be, what we do is of little value in the Kingdom.
The purpose of the church is holiness. The church is to be holy! The basic meaning of holy is unique and set apart. The range of meaning includes purity and perfection. God is described as holy, holy, holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). God set the church apart. The word used in the Bible and translated “church” is the word “ekklesia”, which means “called out”. God called a people who were not a people. God called His people out of the world to be different. Even though believers live in the world, they are not of the world.
The clarity of God’s revelation on this issue is undeniable. Yet, there is a persistent problem. The problem is man’s sin, specifically pride. Some church leaders have taken it upon themselves to define the church’s purpose in pragmatic terms. They suggest that the reason for the church’s existence is found in what is done, especially what works by their definition. Usually, “what works” is defined in terms of numerical or financial growth.
In many instances, the church has become just like the world. D.L. Moody once compared the church to a ship in the sea. “The place for the ship is in the sea, but God help the ship if the sea gets in it. Just as the place for the church is in the world; God help the church if the world gets in it.” The Bible uses the metaphor of a bride to describe the church. She is the bride of Christ. She is the holy Jerusalem that the Apostle John saw coming down from heaven. Jesus Christ died for the church (Ephesians 5:25-26) to make her holy.
It is essential for Christians to know their purpose. For the church to be holy, its members are to be holy. The members of the church were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy (Ephesians 1:4). God doesn’t leave this to the will of men. God sanctifies each and every believer. He makes every member of His church more and more like Christ. He does so by the power of His Spirit who takes His word written and applies it to our hearts so that we might live holy lives for His glory. God has given the church means of grace through which He matures each member in Christ.
