What is the mission of the church? What is its primary focus? If those questions were asked to the average pastor or lay member of a church congregation the responses would be as varied as the number of people asked. Many people have varying ideas about the mission of the church, its focus and message.

  Some feel that the mission of the church is to worship the Lord. Worship and praise is the primary focus of their interest. As a result they spend most of their time planning programs to worship the Lord. There are special worship programs, praise programs, anniversaries, youth worship programs and a variety of other programs that promote worship. Associated with worship are music, ushering and other particulars associated with the formal liturgy. Giving God true praise is the mission of the church in this context.

   There are others who feel that the mission of the church is to minister to the less fortunate. They believe that they are accomplishing their mission if the church offers a variety of programs to help the needy and to relieve the suffering of the general community. As a result, such churches emphasize: homeless programs, programs for homeowners, credit repair and others that address the social ills of the community. Those who hold this view feel that responding to the needs of the less fortunate is the primary mission of the church.

   There are some who feel that church should be the place where people can find Christian mates, improve family relations and participate in clean, healthy social encounters. They spend considerable time trying to address the socialization needs of their members by planning marriage retreats, singles ministries, family programs, counseling ministries, encounter groups and many other ministries aimed at developing life around the Christian model.

   While all of these are admirable and even desirable, the primary focus of the church is to preach Jesus Christ, only. Always.