Purpose of the Church
According to Martin Luther in his writings during the Reformation, the church (and any individual congregation) has only the following purposes:
Possession of God’s Holy Word
Baptism
Sacrament of the Altar (Communion)
Office of the Keys (The power and authority to preach the Word of God, administer the Sacraments, and to forgive/retain sins)
Office of the Ministry (Pastors & Called Workers)
Prayer, public praise and thanksgiving to God (Worship)
Possession of the sacred cross
From “Luther’s Works, Volume 41, On the Councils and the Church”, pp 148 to 165
And “Luther’s Small Catechism”, 267-295
Clearly, according to Martin Luther, the church has the primary responsibility for worship, preaching, baptism, and communion. It is the role of the pastor to administer the Word and Sacraments, to shepherd the flock, and to prepare the members of the congregation for works of service (loving their neighbors).
Eph 4:11-13
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
(from New International Version)
What is striking is what is NOT on this list. Looking again at our discussion of the Great Commission, the tasks not included in this description of the church's purpose are: These responsibilities must, then, belong to the members of the congregation! The members are to go and spread the Gospel. The members are to discover the needs of their neighbors and fulfill them according to God's provision. The members are to bring their Pre-Christian friends to the church. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within each one of them, the members are to reach out to their circle of acquaintences at work and elsewhere to share the Good News.
It is not the purpose of the church to fill the pews. But it is also not the purpose of the church to raise funds for the ministry. The members are responsible for collecting the offerings and special gifts needed by the church, and then to deliver them to the pastor and elders of the church for distribution.
In today;s culture, we have expectations of the church to serve us, our needs, and our comforts that did not exist in the beginning. These expectations have led to a church culture that focuses on itself and its own preservation and traditions rather than preparing its people to go out into their neighborhoods to reach the Pre-Christians with the Good News. And, when membership declines, stewardship diminishes, and volunteerism disappears, we blame the church itself.
By understanding the original purpose of the church and its workers, and by acknowledging and acting according to our roles in the congregation, we can return to God's purpose for His institution and His children.
Then, we can watch Him work in and through us according to His plan to grow His kingdom, to His glory!