*The Five Biblical Purposes of the Church

 Based on Two Important Scriptures:

1.  Great Commandment – Matt. 22:37-40

Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

2.  Great Commission – Matt. 28:19-20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

 Five Purposes found in these Scriptures:

1. Worship – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.”
2. Ministry – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
3. Evangelism – “Go and make disciples.”
4. Fellowship – “Baptizing them…”
5. Discipleship – “Teaching them to obey…”

 Five Purposes defined:

1. Worship:  praying (Ps. 95:6), hearing the Word (Jn.17:17), giving (1 Cor.16:1-2), meditating (Hab.2:20).  Worship as a lifestyle!
2. Ministry:  meeting needs with Love – using the gifts God has given (Eph.47:8,11-12).
3. Evangelism:  privilege and responsibility (Acts 1:8).
4. Fellowship:  being known, cared for, held accountable, and encouraged (Acts 2:42 -47) not just being in close proximity!
5. Discipleship:  to prepare students for life after the youth group, working to establish fully devoted followers of Christ (Hebrews 6:1).

   *Adapted or politely stolen for Purpose Driven Youth Ministry by Doug Fields

 

Five Purposes of the Church

Embodied in Meridian Friends Church and Meridian Friends Youth

 Our Biblical purpose as Meridian Friends Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  Our success is totally dependent upon whether or not people are living in a personal and growing relationship with Christ.  In everything we are and do, it is our mission:

                                     To KNOW Christ…

                                                 To GROW in Christ…

                                                             To SHOW Christ…

 

To this end, God commands us to be:

   

Faithful believers                                        to manifest God’s unchanging truth

Responsive servants                                to minister to human needs

Inspired worshippers                                   to magnify God alone

Evangelical messengers                          to multiply as disciples

Networked team members                      to membership with one another

Disciple makers                                         to maturity beyond conversion

Sensitive listeners                                     to mediate Christ’s present leadership among us