The Church's First Priority

What is “job one” for the church? We know the church has three basic purposes: 1) Community Worship God, 2) Building up Believers and 3) Sharing Christ with our world. Of these three purposes, which is our first priority as a church?

On a personal level, I am convinced that everything in my life flows out of my worship relationship with God. I will grow on an individual level in direct relationship to my personal worship experience with Jesus Christ. But on a church level, is worship job one? In other words, on a corporate level, as a church body, is worship our first priority?

As I read the Scriptures I believe evangelism is the first priority of a church body. As we analyze our use of money, time and manpower related to our work as a church family, reaching people with the gospel message should come first. The church does many important things, but our number one mission is the same as it was in the days of the Apostles.

History reveals that many churches and denominations have come and gone. Their loss of influence began as they allowed “good things” to replace the first priority of the church. Social and political actions can be a part of the church’s effort to be “salt and light” to the world. Caring for the poor and needy is something in which each Christian should be involved. But we stop being the church God has called us to be when the salvation of souls becomes a secondary issue.

We proclaim a saving gospel, not a social gospel. Ours is a life-changing message of redemption, not a self-improvement message of social reform. All these things have their place, but the number one priority will be the same until Jesus returns. Share Jesus!