Weekend June 18-19, 2022 (Saturday-Sunday)
From time to time, churches prepare “mission statements” in which they state in a general way what they feel the Lord wants them to do for him where they are. I’ve noticed that the statements differ from each other in specific words but each list reveals five basic objectives of the church: Ministry, Witness, Fellowship, Worship and Nurture.
The hand above (or the one at the end of your arm) can be an aid to memory if we assign to each digit on the hand an objective of the church. From now on, when you look at your hand, hopefully you will be reminded of five basic objectives of the church: Ministry, Witness, Fellowship, Worship and Nurture.
WHY DO WE HAVE CHURCHES?
Five Objectives of the Church
1. MINISTRY
(Thumb – Needed for work)
Churches are here to serve the Lord by serving others.
2. WITNESS
(Index finger – Points the way)
Presents Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life.
3. FELLOWSHIP
(Middle finger surrounded by others)
The church is a family in need of each other.
4. WORSHIP
(Ring finger – reminds us of a crown)
Christians are to honor and glorify God.
5. NURTURE
(Baby finger – needs to grow)
Christians need help to grow.
Monday – Ministry. The church is to do something. It is here to serve. The types of ministries a church performs depend upon the needs it seeks to meet. Jesus emphasized the need for such work as visiting the sick, imprisoned, and needy, and helping them as far as it is possible.
Tuesday – Witness. The church is to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ in its community and is to be involved in some way in a witness to the world. Evangelism and missions are the heart of its life.
Wednesday – Fellowship We live in a world in which many people feel alienated and unloved. The church is to be an oasis of love and acceptance for all.
Thursday – Worship Every time the church comes together, the members are to worship God in their hearts. The elements of worship are intended to help a person come face to face with the living God.
Friday – Nurture. Christians help each other grow in the grace of God. This takes place in many ways of teaching and training.
The printed order of these five objectives is not necessarily the order of importance. They are all important, and each one is needed in the church. Local churches determine priorities as they are led by the Holy Spirit.