What Is the Business of the Church? (by F.E. Pasche)

"Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:19.

There is no business like that of the Church — none as great, none as important, none as glorious. What is the Church’s business? God has founded His Church for no other purpose than to fill the human heart with heavenly comfort. The Church is appointed to be a spiritual garden, full of living fountains, at which the weary pilgrim may rest, and from which he may draw refreshment to satisfy the longings of his famished soul.

All true comfort begins with, and rests upon, the sinner’s re­ conciliation with God, upon the assurance that his sins are for­ given. And this blessed assurance is offered to him through the Gospel. And it is the Church’s business to preach to him this old Gospel of sweet comfort and eternal salvation. It must be always borne in mind: the Church does not exist for the purpose of enter­ taining souls, but of leading them to Christ and salvation. The Master did not say: Go ye into all the world and entertain all nations, but: “ Teach, all nations.” Nor should the Church be con­ verted into a money-making machine and her pastor into a sen­ sationalist. There is no question but that the expectation of the multitude regarding the Church has largely changed. Formerly the one and only thing which the Church was expected to do was to preach the Gospel, to minister to people’s souls. Public opinion now is that the business of the Church is along the lines of social science and social service.

There are churches to-day which have been practically trans­

formed into social settlements, where lunch counters, moving

pictures, and scientific lectures have free sway. Fairs and ice cream

socials and entertainments and receptions are deemed necessary to

increase the church funds and uphold the church. All true Chris­

tians deplore these methods.

Prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, Thou didst gather unto Thy dear Son Christ Jesus, through Thy Word and the Holy Spirit, a church among us and hast preserved us against the devil and all enemies, yea, against the gates of hell. We pray Thee, O good and faithful God, let us and our dear children continue in the possession of this valuable and precious treasure that we may have promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known, For Thou art Lord of lords alone;
Shield Thy poor Christendom that we
May evermore sing praise to Thee.

Thou Comforter of priceless worth, Give one mind to Thy flock on earth, Stand by us in our final strife,
And lead us out of death to life.