Rethinking "Church"

When Christians gather in modern settings, it seems that the experience is often far removed from the simple, dynamic gatherings of the first-century church (my observation). Worship, as we know it today, with meticulously organized services, structured assemblies, and rigid patterns, has evolved over centuries. While traditions help maintain order, have we drifted from the heart of what it means to be the church? Are we worshipping God in spirit and truth, or merely following a checklist of prescribed acts?

Church Gatherings Today vs. The Early Church

In the early church, gatherings were organic, often held in homes or communal spaces, without a formal dedicated time and limits on how long or short an expression should be. Acts 2:42 describes believers “devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” These gatherings were filled with mutual participation. The emphasis was on community, on mutual edification, and on building one another up.

Contrast that with today’s church, where worship services tend to be structured around the “five acts of worship”: singing, praying, giving, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper. In many congregations, the assembly feels more like a screen written play than a shared experience. Members sit in silence, listening passively, while a few individuals lead from the front. Does this align with the New Testament model of mutual participation, or have we allowed convenience and tradition to eclipse authentic communal worship?

While its clear that many in the first century engaged in the assembly because of their shared miraculous gifts and the absence of established methods to reach their goals, one key insight emerged: a deep sense of community that helped them forge enduring connections and strengthened their resolve against the constant threat of persecution. As we work towards our goal of worshiping God, we must also nurture the valuable outcome of our gathering—the deep intimacy of community and family. We should reflect on whether we have unintentionally fostered a disconnected church family through our current structure for gathering while intending to fulfill our calling. If this is indeed the case, should we consider restructuring our approach to our worship pattern?

Misapplying “Decently and in Order” (1 Corinthians 14:40)

One verse often cited to justify rigid worship patterns is 1 Corinthians 14:40: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” But has this passage been misapplied? Paul was addressing the chaotic situation in Corinth, where disorder was hindering the building up of the body. His call for order was not an endorsement of rigid, military-like precision. Rather, it was a call for love, peace, and mutual respect within the assembly.

However, in many gatherings today, this verse has been interpreted to support a rigid and inflexible approach to worship patterns. Songs are pre-selected with limits on quantity, prayers follow repetitive phrases and “catchy” one liners, the Lord’s Supper is conducted in the same manner each week, sermons adhere to a repetitive duration, and the act of giving feels understated. While structure is important, could our emphasis on control be overshadowing the intimacy that defined worship in the first century? Are we suppressing the Spirit by making our worship predictable and confined? Additionally, have we allowed our clocks to become idols, compelling us to rush through our activities to fit within a convenient schedule? While predictability/schedule itself is not inherently negative, it is evident that we have grown comfortable with it, as questioning this pattern often seems skeptical and faces scrutiny from “sound brethren.”

Overemphasizing the Sermon

One of the most significant shifts in modern church gatherings is the centrality of the sermon. Today, the sermon often serves as the focal point of the assembly, with other acts of worship revolving around it. But this focus on the sermon creates an imbalance. In early Christian gatherings, teaching was undoubtedly important (Acts 20:7), but it was one of many vital expressions of collective worship.

We have observed an instance in the Bible where a congregation focused on a specific elements of worship, misunderstanding it, which resulted in a distorted representation of the intended purpose and context (1 Corinthians 11:17-30). This passage highlights how the Corinthians had turned the Lord's Supper into a divisive and self-serving practice, rather than a communal and reverent remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. Paul admonished them for losing sight of its sacred intent, urging them to examine themselves and discern the body of Christ properly before partaking.

In our modern context, we must be vigilant to ensure that our worship practices do not succumb to similar missteps. The essence of worship is not found in the mere performance of rituals but in the heartfelt connection to God and each other. When we elevate certain elements above others, we risk creating barriers rather than bridges within the church.

By placing the sermon at the forefront, have we overlooked the significance of prayer, the Lord’s Supper, congregational singing, and giving? While the sermon is important, it is not the "grand finale" of worship. However, it has become the main draw for many individuals attending church, often swayed by their preference for a particular preacher's style. Could it be that in this focus, we are undermining the communal and participatory spirit of worship?

The Problem with the Traditional Invitation

At the end of many sermons, it is customary for preachers to offer a formal invitation, calling listeners to respond to the “plan of salvation.” This tradition, while noble in intention, often misses the mark. The assumption seems to be that the invitation is only relevant to some, but the need for an invitation to approach God’s throne is ever-present and for all (Hebrews 4:16).

Moreover, by expecting an invitation to the final moments of a sermon, are we missing those who need embrace at that time? What about the members who already obeyed the gospel but are struggling spiritually? What about the broken and wounded who sit quietly in the pews, uncertain since the call is for the lost? The gospel invitation should extend beyond Sunday gatherings—it is a daily call to all of us, to seek God’s grace continually, not just when the final hymn is sung. We must be careful to ensure that we do not interpret this tradition as an obligation as it might undermine needs at hand and overshadow our role in evangelism.

Evangelism Beyond the Pew

Church gatherings are vital, but they are not the sole place of evangelism. In the first century, evangelism occurred wherever Christians went. They preached the gospel in homes, marketplaces, and public squares. They didn’t wait for the next Sunday service to share their faith; they lived it out in everyday life. When church gatherings are viewed as the primary or only place for evangelism, the responsibility to “go into all the world” (Mark 16:15) is reduced to a mere program. We anticipate that the preacher will incorporate an “invitation” in the conclusion of the sermon. Our approach caters to the needs of the lost, rather than the saved, by tailoring the style of sermons, songs, and studies. Additionally, we design engaging programs to encourage many to join us in our place of gathering.

Are we relying too heavily on the place of assembly to do what should be happening daily in our homes, workplaces, and communities? The Great Commission is not a call to bring people into our buildings; it is a call to bring Christ into every corner of the world.

Conclusion

The early church came together with an emphasis on mutual support, active participation, and a strong sense of community. In contrast, today's church, although still dedicated to worship, has often become inflexible, seemingly following a scripted routine. It tends to prioritize the assembly as a venue for evangelism while feeling disconnected from one another. We must ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with maintaining this tradition than with fostering true worship? Have we forgotten the essence of what it means to be the church?

Paul’s reminder to “do all things decently and in order” was not a call for militaristic worship but a plea for love and mutual edification. As we gather, let us remember that the sermon is not the focal point, but one of many ways we glorify God. And let us not wait for Sunday invitations to share the gospel; let us live out the invitation daily.

Our worship must be more than just routine—it must be a reflection of our devotion to God, a participation in the Spirit, and a testament to the world that we are Christ’s body, wherever we gather, however we pattern worship.