What is the purpose of church? That is who is the church established for and for what reason?

The word (church) occurs 80 times in 79 verses in the KJV New Testament.

Many today think that the church is within them, that they are the church.Therefore they do not have to go to church.This is so wrong! No you don't have to go to church to be saved, but if your saved.Why wouldn't you want to go?"And when they had ordained them elders in (every church), and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed" (Act 14:23). Note that elders were established in "every church" and that through fasting and prayer they were commended to the Lord.We should asked ourselves; Are we fasting and praying for the elders of the church or are we grumbling and complaining about how neglected we are, and ready to look for another church?This has become a very big problem in the churches today and to make matters worse many are unaware of their own responsibility to the church, and its leaders.

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (1Th 5:11). A church where its members are fasting and praying will be a sanctuary for the lost, and provide a hedge of protection for those within its walls.

Hbr 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hbr 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, (as the manner of some is); but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We are to come together so that we can provoke unto love and to good works.Note in verse 25 here we are "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" and then it says "as the manner of some is". Some had stopped going to church, and had fallen back into their old habits.

You see at church is where the people of God come together to worship God.(Psa 86:9)

To be warned of the things to come.(1Th 5:14)

To receive instruction in the ways of righteousness.(2Ti 3:16)

To be reproved and even rebuked if nessessary.(2Ti 4:2)

To receive, and also to be lifted up in prayer.(James 5:14)

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety" ( Proverbs 11:14 ).

NOTE:So what church should we go to? The one that needs us the most.The one with the hypocrites and sinners.That is the one where the work of God is most needed.Are you ready to serve or are you looking for a comfortable pew?

The Church are the sheep & the Lord is their Good Shepherd.

We gather together to praise & worship God and to hear & hear the Word of God preached.

It is also written that if 2 or more agree & pray for anything as touching it, the Father God will answer their prayer.

And where 2 or more are Gathered together, there I AM also. And I AM that I AM is God the Father, Word/Son & Holy Spirit.

The Church is the Body of Christ. And there are 5 Ministries, Jesus calls people to: Some are called to Apostle, some to Prophet, some to Evangelize, some to Pastor & some to Teach.

And there are gifts given to the body of Christ to edify & encourage one another. And to disciple one another. Until the fulness of the Body of Christ comes in.

Also we are encouraged to not forsake the assembly together, especially when the Day (Age of Christ) is nearing.

Church is for the Pastor to preach to the congregation who are sitting in pews or chairs, etc... Faith comes by hearing & hearing a Word about Christ / God. And so Church is for the congregation & for the increase of the Body of Christ.

Of course the congregation & those minstering are both important. And also to preach the Good News of Christ Kingdom to all nations.

If we define the word "church" it'll be much easier to answer all your questions. The church is not a building (as in the church at the corner of Main and Elm) nor is it an establishment (as in the Catholic Church).

It is the body of Christ, the group of people who have declared in their hearts and verified by their works that they have put their lives into the hands of their Savior.

We come together as a church by the twos and by the two thousands. And we do it to give glory to our God Yahweh, to fellowship with one another and grow in His word through the power of His Spirit. Only then can we truly be effective in reaching the lost, which is our heart's desire.

And I am coming to the realization that the home church model may become the most viable way to worship and fellowship in the short time we have left on this planet.

That's because we are in the midst of the greatest apostasy the world has ever known. Preachers speak out of the corners of their mouths. Their works are an abomination to the Lord. They squeeze tithes out of churchgoers that the bible says belongs to the faithful, not the church. They remove their churches from the safety and sanctity of Yahweh's government and bring them under the power of man's government by incorporating and filing for tax exemption, when neither is even required by the government. Tell me satan is not indeed the great deceiver of all mankind.

You've, very acutely, answered your own question. To worship God, and be encouraged by one another in our journeys. Much of what we see in our churches today is superfulous posturing. While I think there are many good Christian leaders in our churches, they are after all only human too. Some people join a "church" out of a sense that this is what they need to do to get ahead, or be a proper member of the community.

This couldn't be further from what Christ intended. He was actually quite upset with the "church" of His day. If you go to church go for the right reasons - to honor God and to learn through His word.

Dear Thank You,

First let me say that in your paragraph above you captured much of what the purpose of the church is.

The church is the bride of Christ, so the first function is to love Christ. What is involved in loving Christ i think when Christ tells us that the second greatest commandment (loving others- is like the first loving Christ) the church is there to love people as well... (it's not just all about me, it's about others!)

Also the great commission was given to the church- so the church is also a missions agency to reach the world with the love of Christ.

Two passages i can think of that really help are these:

Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us to not forsake gathering together as some are in the habit of doing (those who miss church and make excuses for it- have established that habit) but to encourage one another towards love and good deeds. (So to love each other, encourage one another and to have an active faith) is the first purpose of meeting together.

John 13:35- tells us that love one another the way God has loved us and by this all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another. It is where imperfect sinners learn how to love other imperfect sinners (but those who have the Holy Spirit) and are filled with the love of God. If you can't love someone like that- how are you going to share God's love with those who don't have God's love- so it's also a place where our love grows in Christ-likeness which is ultimatley what our life should be about living and loving like Christ.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

God choses the church for your you don't chose the church based on who has best speaker or best music. God calls us all to different churches.

The "Church" is actually the people not the building and God uses these people in different ways for everybody. However do not look for the church that you will get the most out of try to find the Church that you can give most to.

We are supposed to serve people and the Church (being a group of people) is who we should serve (along with other people but serving the Church is important). for example if you are a skilled psychiatrist and you feel like God is calling you to that skill then you should find a Church where you can mentor people.

Will post more later but i have to go...

This is only "my" opinion...

I feel that church (the building) is for fellowship, worshiping, and hearing the word.

The "church" (the body of Christ) are the Christians who are in God's will and follow His teachings.

For me, I really don't go to church anymore because too much drama within the walls. God is not a complicated God and church shouldn't make it seem that He is.

If I remember correctly, Jesus didn't go to church every week, He "was" the church. I like it better that way..."if two are more gather in My name, I am in the mist of you"

I find that church is more for man and studying in the Spirit is of God.

Just my opinion :-}

false logic: your argument is only for not allowing those types of people to get married not an argument for gays to marry, however anything that holds the promise not the fact is holy. and sex not marriage has as it's purpose procreation. the purpose of marriage is the continuance of civilised society. unravel that and the damage and suffering the permissive movement has already caused will be as nothing compared to the hell to come. further the argument that says the church are being hypocritical in marrying heterosexual couples who can't have children, don't know the christian nativity to well obviously.

Look put aside for the moment that I am an Atheist.

If you do not believe that going to church is working out for you then do not go. If you were taught that god is everywhere and you still believe in him; then there is nothing wrong with worshiping him at home, or while you are driving or whatever manner that makes you feel comfortable.

Here is what it comes down to..What manner of worshiping god that makes you happy is what you should do.

You should not let anyone tell or dictate to you how you should worship god.

It is understandable why so many religious followers insist on doctrine infallibility. The questioning of any religious book verse calls into question the follower’s faith in that particular faith’s beliefs. Any threat to their doctrines is a threat to their faith, their commitment to their particular version of God, and ultimately their self-identity. For believers, church doctrine must to be true, regardless of contradictory evidence.

Major religions have established themselves by pretending some special mission from God, communicated to certain individuals. The Jews have their Moses; the Christians their Jesus Christ, their apostles and saints; and the Muslims their Mohammed, as if the way to God was not open to every man alike.

Each of the major religions and their offshoots show certain books, which they call revelation, or the word of God. The Jews say, that their word of God was given by God to Moses, face to face; the Christians say, that their word of God came by divine inspiration: and the Muslims say, that their word of God (the Koran) was brought by an angel from Heaven. Each of those churches accuse the other of unbelief; and for my own part, I disbelieve them all.