What is the most important thing the church does? What is the most important reason you, as a Christian, exist? I’ve asked these questions of many people in several different churches and I always get a variety of answers. Some of the most common are witnessing to the lost, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, meeting the needs of the poor, caring for orphans and widows, evangelism, discipleship, sending out missionaries, and the list goes on. While these are all important activities, none of them are the primary reason for your life as a Christian or for the existence of the church.

As a church, we are first and foremost a worshiping community. That’s what sets us apart from other non-profit organizations. Our primary identity both as a church, and as individuals, is found in our worship of God. Worship is the most important thing we do and it is the most fundamental reason we exist on this earth. Unfortunately, it is easy to lose sight of the tree because of the forest blocking our view.

In church services, Sunday school classes, and Bible studies, we often are taught to reach out to the lost, to give so the church can help those in need, and to volunteer in the church and serve others. These are important, but let us not forget our primary purpose is to worship God together. If this is true, then the worship service is the single most important thing in the life of the church. More important than the Feast of Plenty, more important than International Ministries, more important than your small group meeting, more important than anything else the church does.

I’m not trying to downplay all the other ministries we do. All of them are important, and Central does and supports a lot. But the worship service is where all our other ministries come from. God is present and active in every worship service, and it is during that hour that we encounter His presence, give Him our hearts, and become inspired to talk to our unsaved neighbor about Jesus, give an extra $10 to the America for Christ offering, and bring in a can of fruit for the food pantry.

Chris Tomlin is one of the greatest contemporary Christian songwriters of our day. The chorus of one of his songs says,

You and I were made to worship,
You and I were called to love,
You and I are forgiven and free;
When you and I embrace surrender,
When you and I choose to believe,
Then you and I will see,
Who we were meant to be.

You and I were made to worship. Our church is here so that we can come together and worship. Worship is everything. Central has worship services on Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11:00. Be there and see who you were meant to be.