The Gospel-Driven Church: Uniting Church Growth Dreams with the Metrics of Grace

by Jared C. Wilson

Who Is the Church For? One of the reasons Christians have such diverse opinions about the elements in a worship service, from the service’s style to its substance, is that many don’t really know what the Bible teaches on the subject. Many of us assume that our gatherings can be any way we want them to be.1 But the Bible does provide guidance on what to do in our gatherings and who they are for. Look at one of the earliest church services, as seen in Acts 2:41–47: So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. This passage affirms, first of all, that the worship service existed almost exclusively for those who were already followers of Jesus. Further, we note how the worship service is not really a program for individual Christians to get their weekly pick-me-up. Rather, it is a vit...