Having been employed in full time ministry for almost 20 years I find I’m still asking a lot of the same questions. What’s the purpose of the church? If the purpose of the church is relegated to simple evangelism, by which I mean the converting the lost to saved, then why is 90% of what we do pointed at the saved? Our education programs, fellowship gatherings, worship and almost every ministry we have are more focused on the church member then the non-member. If the church’s purpose is to be a community of light and salt in the world so that others can see what God really wanted humans to be and do then why are we so bent on separating ourselves from the world. We seem to do a much better job at keeping the world at arms length then we do at living out the Gospel.

I tend to lean toward the second explanation of what the church is to be about. It’s not that evangelism is not part of our purpose its just that evangelism is a serendipity of doing what were called to do. I feel our message is that the Kingdom of God is at hand and we should be a model of that kingdom.

A community of faith that lives a sacrificial life, serving the least of these, pursuing holiness, continuing the ministry of Jesus and basically being disciples of Christ will fulfill the role of the church. If we are to be Jesus to each other and to the world how does that happen? How does Jesus become incarnate again in His church? Darryl Tippens has a wonderful book out about everyday spirituality entitled Pilgrim Heart. In it he writes of everyday spiritual experiences that bring Christianity to life. Can we honestly call ourselves the church if we don’t radiate the life that Jesus promised?

What are some ways Jesus has become incarnate to you?