Jarrod Christian

I’ve often heard from fellow Christians that they’re disenchanted with the way many churches run and operate. You know the type. Black walls, lights, incredibly loud sound systems. They’ll start the service with a fast-paced song and one or two more “meditative ones”. They might throw in communion, some announcements and another song. Concluding the service with the sermon and a final song.

Many would rather a church service be much smaller, more like a home-group style that is more conversational. In these spaces, all members are provided time and opportunity to speak and participate in the proceedings.

Others prefer a larger service that facilitates and allows members of the congregation to speak up when they feel led by the Holy Spirit.

Others prefer liturgy, where what is normally spoken by an individual instead is done by the congregation – sometimes even in song, to the tune of music.

Irrespective of which style of service and worship you prefer, we must consider some key indicators in the Bible.

The book of Acts is where we’ll begin.

“⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:42-47 ESV.

I won’t go into too much depth on this passage, as I have previously preached on it: The Community of Faith. But some key elements within the passage must be considered.

1. Apostles Teaching. Any movement of Christians must devote themselves to the teaching of the Apostles. In New Testament times, they often did this through sermons. One example is Paul preaching to the Athenians at the Areopagus (Acts 17:22-34). Within a church service, there must be teaching of some form. Why? Because it is used to build and edify the believers to continue to strive after Christ.
2. Fellowship. Similarly, Christians cannot journey with Christ alone. We were made for relationship. When Christians journey together in fellowship, they can create space for God’s Spirit to transform their character in Christlikeness. While we need time alone with God, we also need time with fellow believers. If we don’t, we can be vulnerable to spiritual attack and falling away from Christ.
3. Breaking of Bread (Communion). Through Communion, believers remember Jesus Christ. We remember who He was and what He did for us. We remember what He continues to do for us. Irrespective of how regularly a church chooses to partake in communion, a failure to remember Christ in this manner is a failure to be Christian.
4. Prayer. When Christians pray, anything can happen (Matthew 17:20). When we are devoted to prayer, we display our devotion to God. Ultimately, we were made for a relationship with God, and prayer is how we foster and grow that relationship.
5. Generosity. Some people are simply more generous than others. Some have more capacity to give than others. But a key marker of the early church was their desire to bless people. More often than not, it was through time and care, but sometimes, it was financially. Churches need to be generous with all they are and have, both internally and externally their own four walls.
6. Temple attendance. This is where the rubber hits the road for some. Temple attendance is something that both Jews and Christians alike did. Irrespective of their different beliefs, both gathered together corporately to worship God. Corporate worship is always an organised affair. I will discuss that a little later on.
7. Meals in homes. Coinciding with their generous hearts, Christians met in their homes with other believers over a meal. This provided a space for intimacy, where believers could journey alongside one another and encourage each other in the faith. This deepened the relationships formed through fellowship, giving it some hands and feet, fleshing out its purpose to facilitate a space where Christians can learn and grow in Christlike character. As the Proverb says: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17 ESV).
8. Praise and Worship. All churches must be devoted to bringing praise and honour to God. This can be through corporate singing, but worshipping God goes much deeper. It involves every part of who we are. It’s a constant state of mind and something we can always be doing. No matter what we do, we can bring praise and glory to God.

Any biblical church must include all of the above elements. If any are missing, it negatively impacts the health of the church. And similarly, if any are missing, it is cause for concern. Should a church seek to remain healthy to ensure it can fulfil the Great Commission? Jesus called us to:

“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Matthew 28:19-20a ESV.

Irrespective of your perspective on how a church opts to include these elements, the Scriptures are clear that there must be order.

In Paul’s first book to the churches in Corinth, he writes:

“26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

1 Corinthians 14:26-33 ESV.

Paul begins by describing numerous different aspects a church may include in its service. But he finalised the comment by emphasising the purpose of these elements: it is to build and edify the church. The church exists ultimately to bring glory to God, but it’s also there to facilitate growth and encouragement for all believers in Christ. It’s the means through which we journey together, and Christ draws us closer to Himself.

Paul moves on to a brief discourse surrounding the gifts of tongues and prophecy. I won’t be commenting on that discussion here. But following that discourse, he mentions something important:

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV.

When presenting the Gospel message, it must always be clear. Similarly, we want to remove all other stumbling blocks, all other things that could cause a person to turn away from God. Within a church setting, the removal of all confusion is paramount to this. Nobody likes confusion. We all desire clarity – to seek understanding and knowledge. For that reason, corporate worship in church services has historically been ordered. Ensuring people know the process within the service removes doubt, confusion and anxiety. There simply needs to be order and structure to facilitate peace within its members. Each individual church can determine what structure it operates with. For that reason, many are run in a similar manner.

If you’re feeling disenchanted with church, I trust this post will encourage you. I’ll conclude with the following words from the book of Hebrews:

“24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV.

God bless.