In his book “The Challenge for Global Christianity” (2011), my friend Samuel Escobar suggests that the primary objective of the church is missions. Do you agree or disagree with this perspective?
How would you respond to this question: Is missionary work the ultimate goal of the church?
John Piper addresses this in his book “Let the Nations Be Glad” (2003). He argues that the main aim of the church isn’t just missionary work—it’s worship. Missionary efforts come into play because worship isn’t happening as it should. Worship is essential because God is the ultimate measure, not us. Picture this: when this chapter of history wraps up and millions of saved souls gather before God’s throne, missionary work will no longer be needed. It’s a temporary fix, but worship is timeless.
Following John Piper’s reflection: Worship is the heart and soul of missions. Its ultimate goal is to spread the joy of God’s greatness to every corner of the globe. It’s all about making people happy in God’s amazingness. As the Bible says, “Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (Psalm 97:1). Worship also powers missions. Before we can talk about God to others, we must be passionate about Him in our own worship. You can’t share what you don’t truly appreciate. So, if a missionary can’t genuinely say, “I’m thrilled about the Lord… I’ll be joyful and sing praises to You, O Most High” (Psalm 104:34; 9:2), there’s something missing.
Two weeks ago, at the Conference with the Chinese Alliance Churches in Europe, we learned about Tim Keller’s deep affection for New York City. It led him to embark on a mission of gospel-centered transformation, allowing the gospel itself to reshape the city, not through him, but through its inherent power. This raises questions: Have you grasped the full potency of the gospel? Which aspects of your life have experienced its transformative touch? How extensively has the gospel permeated and influenced your life? Keller’s initial step was to revitalize worship settings, changing the worship service, and that massive change was key for the people of New York to encounter our God.
J.O. Terry, in his book “When Women Speak” (1998), compiles numerous stories about women living in challenging circumstances, most of them in countries where violence against women is prevalent. It reveals how their adoration of God enables them to navigate and overcome difficult environments. Questions for us: How do we react to adversity? How do we respond to God’s call to worship Him? Are we dedicating time to commune with God in prayer, or are we simply caught up in the busyness of life?
In his book “Jesus: More Than a Prophet – Fifteen Muslims Find Forgiveness, Release and a New Life,” RF Wootton shares testimonies of Muslims encountering Jesus. While their circumstances and environments changed, one experience remained constant: worship.
A long time ago, when we were helping the persecuted church in a country closed to the gospel, the experience was simply fascinating. Especially the prayer services. When the persecuted church began to pray, you could feel the presence of angels and of God Himself among them. And when, in the midst of their prayers, they began to praise, the language barriers fell, and you could literally see “the Lord of the ages sitting on His throne.” The other praises that followed were simply consequences of that encounter…
How is your experience in worship? If you are part of the worship team on Sundays, what’s important to you? The sound system? The instruments? The rehearsal? And if you are like me, another seat-Sunday, what are your expectations? Are you truly coming to encounter God and worship Him? Worship is more than a Sunday service and more than just three songs in a service.
Believe me, we have been on different continents and with many groups of believers; when the persecuted church praise God, it’s something different for us. Don’t get us wrong, the difference with the small groups of the persecuted church lies in their praises and prayers being centered on God. Their work is for God, and God is everything to them. When the believers of the persecuted church go to a Sunday service, they do not know if they will return home. At the Chinese Churches conference, there was a small exercise. The word “gospel” was in the center with many circles around it. The task was: Could you write down how far the gospel has affected areas of your life and the lives of those around you? When I heard this, I thought, “This is easy, it will only take me a few minutes.” But when I had the pen and paper, time seemed endless because there were many empty circles, and the ones I filled, I wasn’t sure if they truly belonged to God. Now, imagine if we changed the word “gospel” to “worship” in the center, and you had a bunch of circles to fill. Could you write down how far the worship has affected areas of your life and the lives of those around you?
Rev. Lucho Sanchez