I wonder what your answer is to the question at the top of this blog. Tomorrow millions of Christians will gather in an assortment of churches Over the past few days men and women who will be leading worship or preaching will have spent an almost unimaginable combined total of hours planning and preparing. But what's the point?
For the vast majority of churches in the UK I fear that there is no point. People will go through the motions both at the front of church and in the pews without having an awareness of how what they are about is likely to make a real difference to the world, how it might advance the kingdom of God, or result in greater obedience to God's will.
A few years ago I was asked to speak at an assembly of churches and posed the question, "What is the main purpose of church?" The popular answer I received was a quote from the Shorter Catechism, "... to glorify God and enjoy Him forever". I challenged that conception, stating instead that the main purpose is to set forth the gospel message by words and deeds. But some who know me well would say, "You would say that". But I ask again, "What is the point of worship?" When we have sung all our hymns and songs, preached all the sermons, and gone through the motions for yet another Sunday, will God be doing cartwheels of delight, or might he be shaking his head and sighing?
That bit about glorifying God and enjoying him forever is part of the answer to the first question of the Shorter Catechism, which then continues to explain how we might do that. It reveals that the path to achieving this is only found in obedience to the revelation of God's will in scripture. I suggest that it is impossible to read and understand the gospels without realising the sense of God's mission, and his call to those who believe to play their part in his purposes.
So here is this week's challenge. Firstly, to those who will be preaching or leading worship: does what you have prepared have any expected outcomes that relate clearly to proclaiming the good news and making of disciples? Secondly to those who will be part of a congregation: will you come away from the meeting with a deeper desire to walk closely with God, wanting to please him by doing your part in telling others the gospel? Most people who receive this as a newsletter or who regularly read it on line have a good grasp of the point of the life of Jesus on earth, his death, and resurrection. But what is the point of worship this Sunday?
Worship is not about making us feel good, or worthy in some way. Nor does God need us to tell him that he is wonderful, (though he longs that we might discover just how wonderful he is as we experience his transforming grace in our lives). Worship should be an experience in which we feel real communion with God that produces a deep desire to be what he wants us to be and do what he wants us to do. If it fails to do that, then what's the point?
The past week
On Monday and Saturday I had the privilege of conducting Christian marriage blessing services following civil marriage services at Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday were spent on moving the offices of Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ). The reason for the move is better stewardship of God's resources. I am grateful for the help of Danny (a pastor linked to the organisation), John (a former trustee of MfC), and Nathan (the teenage son of the organisation's secretary). In addition, Nathan's mother, Heather, and the Chair of Trustees, Elizabeth put in a lot of hard work. Mary, our design and reprographics staff member had done a lot to prepare for the event.
Please give thanks that all went well (despite my having a small accident). Please pray for the staff as they settle into new offices and the final elements such as phone and broadband are put in place. Please pray for the trustees as we seek to redefine how the organisation fulfils its objectives.
The coming week
Sunday 2nd 10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.
Monday 3rd International Congregational Fellowship Conference Planning Meeting in London.
Tuesday 4th Gartree Prison, Leics.
Wednesday 5th Pastoral Care Board meets morning and afternoon in Nottingham.
Thursday 6th, 10.30 Bible Discussion Group, Yelvertoft. In the late afternoon there is a wedding rehearsal in Yelvertoft.
Friday 7th, 7.00 meeting of a sub-committee of the CF East Midlands Area, Ashby de la Zouche, Leics.
Saturday 8th, 2.00, It is a delight to conduct my first wedding service at Yelvertoft. Aimee and David are the couple. Aimee is the daughter of our church secretary.
Text for the week:
"When I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:15
Barry
For the vast majority of churches in the UK I fear that there is no point. People will go through the motions both at the front of church and in the pews without having an awareness of how what they are about is likely to make a real difference to the world, how it might advance the kingdom of God, or result in greater obedience to God's will.
A few years ago I was asked to speak at an assembly of churches and posed the question, "What is the main purpose of church?" The popular answer I received was a quote from the Shorter Catechism, "... to glorify God and enjoy Him forever". I challenged that conception, stating instead that the main purpose is to set forth the gospel message by words and deeds. But some who know me well would say, "You would say that". But I ask again, "What is the point of worship?" When we have sung all our hymns and songs, preached all the sermons, and gone through the motions for yet another Sunday, will God be doing cartwheels of delight, or might he be shaking his head and sighing?
That bit about glorifying God and enjoying him forever is part of the answer to the first question of the Shorter Catechism, which then continues to explain how we might do that. It reveals that the path to achieving this is only found in obedience to the revelation of God's will in scripture. I suggest that it is impossible to read and understand the gospels without realising the sense of God's mission, and his call to those who believe to play their part in his purposes.
So here is this week's challenge. Firstly, to those who will be preaching or leading worship: does what you have prepared have any expected outcomes that relate clearly to proclaiming the good news and making of disciples? Secondly to those who will be part of a congregation: will you come away from the meeting with a deeper desire to walk closely with God, wanting to please him by doing your part in telling others the gospel? Most people who receive this as a newsletter or who regularly read it on line have a good grasp of the point of the life of Jesus on earth, his death, and resurrection. But what is the point of worship this Sunday?
Worship is not about making us feel good, or worthy in some way. Nor does God need us to tell him that he is wonderful, (though he longs that we might discover just how wonderful he is as we experience his transforming grace in our lives). Worship should be an experience in which we feel real communion with God that produces a deep desire to be what he wants us to be and do what he wants us to do. If it fails to do that, then what's the point?
The past week
On Monday and Saturday I had the privilege of conducting Christian marriage blessing services following civil marriage services at Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday were spent on moving the offices of Action for Christ (formerly Mission for Christ). The reason for the move is better stewardship of God's resources. I am grateful for the help of Danny (a pastor linked to the organisation), John (a former trustee of MfC), and Nathan (the teenage son of the organisation's secretary). In addition, Nathan's mother, Heather, and the Chair of Trustees, Elizabeth put in a lot of hard work. Mary, our design and reprographics staff member had done a lot to prepare for the event.
Please give thanks that all went well (despite my having a small accident). Please pray for the staff as they settle into new offices and the final elements such as phone and broadband are put in place. Please pray for the trustees as we seek to redefine how the organisation fulfils its objectives.
The coming week
Sunday 2nd 10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church, Northants.
Monday 3rd International Congregational Fellowship Conference Planning Meeting in London.
Tuesday 4th Gartree Prison, Leics.
Wednesday 5th Pastoral Care Board meets morning and afternoon in Nottingham.
Thursday 6th, 10.30 Bible Discussion Group, Yelvertoft. In the late afternoon there is a wedding rehearsal in Yelvertoft.
Friday 7th, 7.00 meeting of a sub-committee of the CF East Midlands Area, Ashby de la Zouche, Leics.
Saturday 8th, 2.00, It is a delight to conduct my first wedding service at Yelvertoft. Aimee and David are the couple. Aimee is the daughter of our church secretary.
Text for the week:
"When I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:15
Barry
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