Outdoor Crusade · Christian Discipleship
The Biblical Role of the Church, How It Should Operate, and How to Address Common Problems
A detailed look at the purpose, leadership, responsibilities, health, and common challenges of the local church.
The church is not simply a building where Christians gather once or twice a week. It is not a religious business, a social organization, an entertainment venue, or a platform built around one gifted personality.
Every person who has genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ belongs to the worldwide body of believers. At the same time, Scripture calls Christians to gather, worship, learn, serve, and grow together through a local church.
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. The church belongs to Him, exists for His glory, and must operate according to His Word.
“And he is the head of the body, the church.”
Colossians 1:18
This means the church cannot be operated according to one person’s preferences, changing culture, political pressure, popularity, tradition, or the desire to attract a larger crowd. Every decision should be brought under the authority of Jesus Christ and tested by Scripture.
A healthy church should help people know Christ, grow in faith, live in obedience, care for one another, and carry the gospel into the world.
What Is the Church?
The New Testament uses the word “church” to describe an assembly of believers who have been called out and brought together by Christ.
The church is made up of people, not bricks, signs, programs, stages, or property.
A building can be destroyed, and the church can continue. A program can end, and the church can continue. Leadership can change, and the church can continue.
The church continues because its foundation is Jesus Christ.
“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18
The church belongs to Jesus. He builds it, sustains it, corrects it, and empowers it.
That does not mean every local church automatically operates in a healthy or biblical way. Churches are made up of imperfect people. Problems will arise wherever people gather. However, Scripture gives us clear instructions for the purpose, leadership, priorities, discipline, and mission of the church.
The Primary Roles of the Church
A local church may have many ministries, but everything it does should support the purposes God has given it.
Worship
Glorifying God through truth, prayer, praise, giving, and obedience.
Biblical Teaching
Faithfully explaining and applying the complete Word of God.
Evangelism
Clearly proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ.
Discipleship
Helping believers learn, obey, grow, serve, and make disciples.
Fellowship
Building a spiritual family that carries burdens and encourages growth.
Service
Equipping believers to use their gifts and care for people in need.
1. The Church Must Worship God
The first purpose of the church is to glorify God.
Worship is more than singing. Singing is an important part of worship, but true worship includes prayer, preaching, giving, obedience, service, repentance, thanksgiving, and surrender.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
A church should not design worship merely around what is impressive, emotional, fashionable, or entertaining. Worship must be sincere and grounded in truth.
The focus should remain on God rather than the musicians, speakers, building, production, or congregation. Everything may be done with excellence, but excellence must never become the object of worship.
2. The Church Must Faithfully Teach Scripture
One of the church’s greatest responsibilities is to teach the Word of God accurately and completely.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2 Timothy 4:2
The church should not avoid difficult passages because they may make people uncomfortable. It should not replace biblical teaching with motivational speeches, political commentary, personal opinions, or shallow encouragement.
People need the whole counsel of God.
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
Acts 20:27
Biblical teaching should explain what the passage means, how it points to God’s redemptive work, and how believers should respond.
The goal is not merely to fill people with information. The goal is to help people become obedient followers of Jesus.
3. The Church Must Proclaim the Gospel
The church has been entrusted with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19–20
The church should clearly teach that all people have sinned, that sin separates us from God, that Jesus died for our sins, that He rose from the grave, and that salvation comes through repentance and faith in Him.
The church must not assume everyone understands the gospel simply because they attend a service.
The gospel should be clearly shared with children, teenagers, adults, visitors, members, and the surrounding community.
4. The Church Must Make Disciples
Jesus did not command the church merely to collect decisions, increase attendance, or fill buildings. He commanded His followers to make disciples.
A disciple is someone who learns from Jesus, follows Jesus, and increasingly lives according to His teaching.
The church should help believers learn how to:
- Read and understand the Bible.
- Pray consistently.
- Resist temptation.
- Follow the Holy Spirit.
- Develop Christian character.
- Share the gospel.
- Serve others.
- Manage relationships biblically.
- Steward time, money, and abilities.
- Endure suffering faithfully.
- Help someone else grow in Christ.
Discipleship should not be limited to one class or program. It should be part of the entire life of the church.
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 2:2
Healthy discipleship multiplies. Mature believers help younger believers grow, and those believers eventually help others.
5. The Church Must Provide Fellowship and Christian Community
Christians were not designed to follow Jesus alone.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:42
Biblical fellowship is deeper than casual conversation before or after a service. It includes sharing life, encouraging one another, praying together, carrying burdens, correcting one another in love, and remaining faithful during difficult seasons.
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
A healthy church should be a place where people are known, loved, challenged, supported, and encouraged to grow.
6. The Church Must Care for People in Need
The church should show the compassion of Christ through practical care.
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”
James 1:27
This includes caring for widows, children, struggling families, the sick, grieving people, those facing financial hardship, and others carrying heavy burdens.
The church cannot meet every need in the community, but it should not become so focused on its own comfort that it ignores suffering around it.
Care should be wise, organized, compassionate, and responsible. Helping someone should include more than temporary relief when possible. It should seek to protect dignity, encourage responsibility, and provide a path toward stability.
7. The Church Must Equip Believers to Serve
The work of ministry is not supposed to be performed only by the pastor and a few staff members.
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12
Church leaders should equip believers to serve.
Every believer has abilities, experiences, opportunities, and spiritual gifts that can be used for God’s glory.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.”
1 Peter 4:10
A healthy church does not create spectators. It develops servants.
8. The Church Must Practice Prayer
Prayer should not be treated as an opening formality before the real work begins. Prayer is part of the real work.
Acts 4 shows believers praying together for boldness. Acts 12 shows the church praying earnestly for Peter while he was imprisoned. Acts 13 shows church leaders praying and fasting before sending missionaries.
A church should pray for:
- The salvation of the lost.
- Wisdom for leaders.
- Spiritual growth.
- Missionaries.
- Families.
- The sick and suffering.
- Unity.
- Protection from temptation.
- Opportunities to share the gospel.
- God’s direction for decisions.
A church can have strong programs, talented leaders, modern technology, and an impressive building while remaining spiritually weak because it has neglected prayer.
9. The Church Must Observe Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Jesus gave the church two important acts of obedience: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism publicly identifies a believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death.”
Romans 6:4
The Lord’s Supper reminds believers of Christ’s sacrifice and calls the church to remember Him, examine itself, and proclaim His death until He returns.
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”
1 Corinthians 11:26
These should never become empty rituals. The church should clearly explain their biblical meaning.
10. The Church Must Practice Accountability and Restoration
A loving church cannot ignore serious, ongoing sin.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.”
Galatians 6:1
The purpose of correction is restoration, not embarrassment, revenge, control, or public humiliation.
Jesus provided a process for addressing sin between believers in Matthew 18:15–17. The process begins privately and becomes broader only when the person refuses to listen.
Church discipline should be handled prayerfully, fairly, consistently, and according to Scripture. It should never be used as a weapon against someone who asks legitimate questions or raises concerns about leadership.
How a Church Should Be Operated
A church should be operated under the lordship of Jesus Christ, according to Scripture, through qualified leadership, responsible membership, prayerful decision-making, and clear accountability.
Jesus Christ Must Remain the Head
The pastor is not the head of the church.
The deacons are not the head of the church.
The largest giver is not the head of the church.
The founding family is not the head of the church.
The oldest members are not the head of the church.
Jesus Christ is the Head.
Every leader, ministry, budget, tradition, policy, and decision must remain under His authority.
Scripture Must Be the Final Authority
Churches will face disagreements about methods, preferences, music, schedules, programs, buildings, and ministry approaches.
Not every issue is directly commanded in Scripture. Churches must sometimes make practical decisions using biblical wisdom. However, when Scripture clearly speaks, the church must obey.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:16
Tradition may be helpful, but it is not equal to Scripture. Culture may help us understand the people we are trying to reach, but culture does not have authority over Scripture.
Pastors Must Lead Through Teaching, Example, and Service
The New Testament refers to the pastoral office using terms such as pastor, elder, and overseer. These words emphasize different parts of the same leadership responsibility: shepherding people, providing spiritual oversight, and teaching truth.
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
1 Peter 5:2–3
A pastor should lead, but he should not dominate. He should have authority to fulfill his biblical responsibilities, but that authority must remain under Scripture and within accountable church structures.
A pastor should be:
- Biblically qualified.
- Able to teach.
- Spiritually mature.
- Faithful in his home.
- Self-controlled.
- Humble.
- Honest.
- Not controlled by money.
- Not violent or abusive.
- Respected for his character.
These qualifications are described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Talent cannot replace character. Charisma cannot replace integrity. Growth in attendance cannot excuse spiritual abuse.
Deacons Must Serve the Needs of the Church
The word “deacon” is connected to service.
Acts 6 describes men being selected to oversee a practical need so that the apostles could remain focused on prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Deacons should be spiritually qualified servants who help preserve unity, care for practical needs, support the ministry, and assist the church body.
They should not function as a private ruling group protecting tradition, controlling the pastor, or making decisions without accountability to the congregation.
Members Must Accept Responsibility
Church health is not only the responsibility of the pastor.
Members should pray, attend faithfully, serve, give, encourage others, pursue holiness, protect unity, and participate responsibly in the life of the church.
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
Hebrews 10:24
Membership should mean more than having a name on a list. It should represent a commitment to Christ, the church’s biblical beliefs, and the well-being of the congregation.
Decisions Must Be Made With Prayer, Wisdom, and Transparency
Church decisions should not be rushed, manipulated, or made behind closed doors when broader accountability is appropriate.
Acts 15 records church leaders and believers carefully addressing a serious doctrinal disagreement. They discussed the matter, listened to testimony, considered Scripture, and reached a conclusion.
Not every decision requires a congregational vote. Leaders must be trusted to handle ordinary responsibilities. However, major matters involving doctrine, leadership, finances, property, discipline, or the direction of the church should include appropriate transparency and accountability.
Finances Must Be Handled With Integrity
Church money is given for the work of ministry and must be handled carefully.
“Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”
2 Corinthians 8:21
Healthy financial practices should include:
- A clear annual budget.
- More than one person involved in counting and handling money.
- Accurate records.
- Regular financial reports.
- Proper approval of major expenses.
- Independent review when appropriate.
- Clear policies for reimbursements and compensation.
- Protection against one person controlling all financial access.
The church should never use secrecy as a substitute for trust.
Trust grows through demonstrated honesty and accountability.
Ministries Must Support the Mission
Questions Every Ministry Should Answer
- Does this help people know Christ?
- Does this help believers grow?
- Does this strengthen families?
- Does this equip people to serve?
- Does this help us reach the community?
- Is this ministry still effective?
- Are we continuing it only because we have always done it?
A ministry can once have been valuable and later become ineffective. Ending or changing a program does not mean the church has abandoned its mission. Sometimes it means the church is becoming more faithful to it.
Common Problems Churches Face and How to Address Them
Churches will face problems. The goal is not to pretend problems do not exist. The goal is to address them biblically before they cause deeper damage.
1. The Church Loses Its Focus on the Gospel
The Problem
A church can become consumed with events, politics, preferences, facilities, or internal business while rarely sharing the gospel clearly. Attendance may continue, but the mission is slowly lost.
How to Address It
Return to the Great Commission. Make the gospel clear in preaching, teaching, outreach, children’s ministry, and personal conversations.
Train members to explain the gospel and share their testimony. Regularly evaluate whether the church is actually reaching people or only maintaining activities.
2. Biblical Teaching Becomes Shallow
The Problem
Messages become motivational but contain little Scripture. Difficult subjects are avoided. People may feel encouraged without becoming spiritually mature.
How to Address It
Commit to careful, verse-by-verse and passage-based teaching. Teach both doctrine and application.
Encourage members to bring their Bibles, read the passage, ask questions, and study personally. Pastors and teachers should prepare faithfully rather than depending on personality or emotion.
3. The Church Becomes Centered Around One Personality
The Problem
A church may become so closely identified with one pastor, teacher, musician, or family that loyalty to the person begins replacing loyalty to Christ. Questions may be treated as rebellion, and accountability may disappear.
How to Address It
Keep pointing people to Jesus rather than a personality. Develop multiple qualified leaders, share responsibilities, and establish accountability.
No individual should have unchecked control over doctrine, finances, staffing, discipline, and communication. Strong leadership and shared accountability can exist together.
4. Leadership Lacks Accountability
The Problem
Leaders may make major decisions without input, hide mistakes, misuse authority, or surround themselves only with people who agree with them.
How to Address It
Create clear leadership structures, written policies, financial safeguards, and a process for raising legitimate concerns.
Leaders should welcome biblical correction and answer honest questions without becoming defensive. Accusations must be handled fairly, but proven sin must not be ignored.
5. Gossip and Unresolved Conflict Spread
The Problem
People talk about one another instead of speaking directly to one another. Small misunderstandings become divisions because they are repeated through private conversations.
“A whisperer separateth chief friends.”
Proverbs 16:28
How to Address It
Teach and follow Matthew 18:15. Go directly and privately to the person involved.
Refuse to participate in gossip. Ask, “Have you spoken with that person?” Encourage humility, careful listening, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Not every disagreement is sin. Some matters require grace because faithful Christians may have different preferences.
6. Cliques and Favoritism Develop
The Problem
New people, younger families, single adults, older members, or people from different backgrounds may feel excluded. Certain families may have more influence than others.
How to Address It
Teach James 2, which warns against partiality. Create intentional opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to build relationships.
Train greeters and leaders to notice people who are alone. Leadership opportunities should be based on biblical qualifications and faithfulness, not family connections, money, or popularity.
7. The Church Resists Necessary Change
The Problem
Traditions can become so important that any change feels like disobedience, even when Scripture has not commanded the tradition. The phrase “We have always done it this way” can become more powerful than the mission.
How to Address It
Separate biblical convictions from personal preferences. Never change the truth of Scripture to please culture, but be willing to change methods when they no longer serve the mission effectively.
Explain changes clearly, listen to concerns, move patiently when possible, and help people understand the reason behind the decision.
8. The Church Chases Trends and Constant Change
The Problem
The opposite problem also occurs. A church may repeatedly change its identity, teaching, music, programs, or direction in an attempt to remain popular.
How to Address It
Build the church around permanent biblical purposes rather than temporary trends.
New tools and methods can be useful, but they should be evaluated carefully. Ask whether a change strengthens biblical ministry or merely imitates what appears successful somewhere else.
9. Volunteers Become Burned Out
The Problem
A small group of faithful people may carry most of the work. Because they are dependable, more responsibilities continue to be placed on them until they become exhausted.
How to Address It
Develop more volunteers instead of repeatedly depending on the same people. Simplify ministries when there are not enough workers. Not every program must continue.
Provide training, clear expectations, scheduled breaks, appreciation, and permission to rest.
“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.”
Mark 6:31
10. New Believers Are Not Discipled
The Problem
A person may accept Christ, be baptized, and then receive little direction about prayer, Scripture, church involvement, temptation, or spiritual growth.
How to Address It
Create a clear pathway for new believers. Connect them with mature Christians who can answer questions and walk beside them.
Teach foundational truths and help them develop daily spiritual habits. Do not assume a class alone is enough. Discipleship grows through teaching and relationships.
11. Generations Become Divided
The Problem
Older and younger members may view one another with suspicion. Worship styles, technology, communication, and ministry priorities can become sources of conflict.
How to Address It
Teach the value of every generation. Older believers have wisdom, experience, and a responsibility to teach. Younger believers bring energy, new abilities, and opportunities to reach their generation.
Titus 2 presents a model in which older and younger believers grow together. The goal is not for one generation to control the church. The goal is for every generation to serve Christ together.
12. Money Becomes a Source of Distrust
The Problem
Poor communication, unclear spending, or concentrated financial control can create suspicion. In serious cases, money may be misused.
How to Address It
Use clear budgets, multiple counters, documented expenses, regular reports, and independent oversight.
Leaders should not shame people into giving or promise that donations guarantee personal wealth. Giving should be taught as worship, stewardship, generosity, and support for ministry.
13. Sin Is Ignored to Avoid Conflict
The Problem
Leaders may overlook serious sin because the person is influential, wealthy, popular, related to someone important, or difficult to confront.
How to Address It
Apply biblical standards consistently. Approach the person privately and humbly. Confirm facts, avoid rumors, and seek repentance and restoration.
When serious misconduct involves abuse, violence, exploitation, or criminal behavior, protecting victims and notifying the proper civil authorities must not be replaced by an internal church process.
Forgiveness does not remove the need for consequences, safeguards, or accountability.
14. Church Discipline Becomes Harsh or Controlling
The Problem
Some churches use discipline to silence questions, punish disagreement, or protect leadership.
How to Address It
Return to the biblical goal of restoration. Church discipline should address clear, serious, unrepentant sin—not differences in personality or preference.
The process should be fair, documented, prayerful, and free from personal revenge. Leaders must remain accountable during the process.
15. Children and Vulnerable People Are Not Properly Protected
The Problem
Churches sometimes rely on familiarity and trust without establishing proper safeguards.
How to Address It
Use written safety policies, background checks where appropriate, secure check-in and release procedures, multiple approved workers, visible classrooms, reporting procedures, and regular training.
Concerns should be taken seriously and reported to the proper authorities when required. Protecting vulnerable people is not a lack of trust. It is responsible stewardship.
16. The Church Becomes Inwardly Focused
The Problem
Most money, time, and energy may be spent serving people who already attend. The church becomes disconnected from the surrounding community.
How to Address It
Study the real needs of the community. Build relationships outside the church, support missions, serve local families, and share the gospel.
Encourage members to view their workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, and daily relationships as mission fields. The church gathers for worship and growth, but it must also scatter to serve and witness.
17. Prayer Is Neglected
The Problem
The church may discuss problems, hold meetings, create plans, and develop strategies without seriously seeking God.
How to Address It
Make prayer central rather than ceremonial. Schedule meaningful congregational prayer, encourage leaders to pray together, pause before major decisions, and teach people how to pray from Scripture.
Planning is necessary, but planning should be carried out in dependence upon God.
18. Members Become Consumers Instead of Servants
The Problem
People begin evaluating church only by what they receive: music preferences, children’s activities, preaching style, comfort, convenience, or social opportunities.
How to Address It
Teach that every believer is called to serve. Help members discover where they can contribute and create meaningful opportunities rather than unnecessary positions.
Ask not only, “What am I receiving?” but also, “How is God calling me to help build up His church?”
19. Doctrine Is Minimized for the Sake of Unity
The Problem
Some churches avoid clear doctrine because they fear disagreement. But unity without truth becomes shallow and unstable.
How to Address It
Teach essential Christian beliefs clearly and graciously.
“Speaking the truth in love.”
Ephesians 4:15
Truth without love can become harsh. Love without truth can become compromise. The church needs both.
Christians should also recognize the difference between essential doctrine and secondary matters where sincere believers may disagree.
20. The Church Confuses Activity With Spiritual Health
The Problem
A full calendar can create the appearance of health. A church can be busy while its members remain spiritually tired, disconnected, and immature.
How to Address It
Evaluate fruit rather than activity alone. Ask whether people are becoming more prayerful, loving, generous, obedient, biblically grounded, and committed to sharing Christ.
Sometimes spiritual health requires adding a ministry. At other times, it requires ending several activities so the church can focus on what matters most.
The Church Must Pursue Both Truth and Love
A church cannot remain healthy by choosing between truth and love. It needs both.
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15
Truth without love may produce pride, harshness, and legalism.
Love without truth may excuse sin, avoid necessary correction, and eventually lose the gospel.
Jesus was full of grace and truth. His church should reflect both.
A Healthy Church Will Never Be a Perfect Church
There are no perfect local churches because there are no perfect church members or leaders.
Every church will experience misunderstanding, disappointment, disagreement, and failure.
The question is not whether problems will happen. The question is how the church will respond when they do.
Questions a Church Must Be Willing to Ask
- Will we hide problems or address them?
- Will we protect reputations or protect people?
- Will we defend tradition or obey Scripture?
- Will we seek control or pursue restoration?
- Will we operate through fear or faith?
- Will we point people toward personalities or toward Jesus?
Healthy churches are not churches without problems. They are churches that face problems honestly, biblically, humbly, and prayerfully.
Every Member Has a Role
It is easy to talk about what pastors, deacons, staff members, or other church members should do.
It is more difficult to ask what God expects from us personally.
Before criticizing the church, we should examine our own participation.
Questions for Every Church Member
- Am I praying for my church?
- Am I encouraging its leaders?
- Am I serving faithfully?
- Am I contributing to unity?
- Am I confronting problems biblically rather than spreading them through gossip?
- Am I giving generously?
- Am I welcoming people who feel unnoticed?
- Am I growing in Scripture?
- Am I sharing the gospel?
- Am I willing to forgive?
The church is not merely an organization we attend. It is a body in which every believer has a responsibility.
“And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee.”
1 Corinthians 12:21
Every faithful member matters.
Keeping Christ at the Center
The church must constantly return to Jesus Christ.
Programs will change.
Leaders will change.
Buildings will age.
Methods will develop.
Communities will shift.
Generations will come and go.
But Jesus Christ remains the same.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
Hebrews 13:8
A healthy church will keep Scripture as its authority, Christ as its Head, the gospel as its message, discipleship as its work, prayer as its dependence, love as its character, and God’s glory as its purpose.
My prayer is that our churches will not merely be busy, popular, comfortable, or impressive.
I pray that they will be faithful.
Faithful to Scripture.
Faithful to the gospel.
Faithful to care for people.
Faithful to make disciples.
Faithful to correct problems with truth, humility, courage, and love.
The church is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people. When it operates according to His design, it becomes a place where the lost hear the gospel, believers grow strong, burdens are carried, truth is taught, families are strengthened, servants are equipped, and Jesus Christ is glorified.
That is the kind of church we should desire.
That is the kind of church we should help build.
And by God’s grace, that is the kind of church we should faithfully become.