What’s the Purpose of Sunday?
If you ask Christians about the purpose of Sunday, you’ll likely get a variety of answers. Among any congregation, there are many different reasons people gather each week. Some come to seek the Lord, others because attending church is part of their family routine, while some might be looking for a relationship.
But if you ask church staff and leaders, you’d expect a clear answer. Yet, even among them, the purpose isn’t always agreed upon. There are competing agendas. Worship leaders might say it’s all about worship, preachers focus on the Word, prayer warriors are all about prayer and ministry, evangelists want to see people saved, and others emphasize community, fellowship, and connection.
So, what should it be about? What does God want?
The Primary Purpose: Worship
At its core, the primary purpose of the Sunday service is to worship God. This can take many forms:
Worship Him in song
Worship Him in prayer
Worship Him through the reading of Scripture
Worship Him through the preaching of the Word
Worship Him in ministering to one another
Worship Him in confession
Worship Him in giving
Worship Him in fellowship
Worship Him when people hear the gospel, respond, and receive salvation
Everything we do in the service should center on this singular purpose: worship.
A Challenging but Essential Focus
While this might sound simple, it’s often harder to keep this purpose at the forefront than we realize. We live in a world that is wired for selfishness, consumerism, and entertainment. For many, attending church can feel like a transactional experience where the goal is to receive rather than give.
To truly engage in worship, we need to approach the service with an attitude of giving, not just receiving. We need to come ready to offer our hearts, our time, and our energy.
Here’s the paradox: the more we come to give, the more we often receive. But to experience this, we have to set aside our personal desires and humble ourselves in service to God and others.
Shifting Our Perspective
Consider this:
They didn’t sing the songs I like – That’s okay; the songs weren’t for you.
The preaching wasn’t the best – That’s okay; God is honored whenever His Word is declared.
No one talked to me – That’s unfortunate, but did you reach out to anyone?
They didn’t pray for my needs – Maybe not this week, but did you ask someone if you could pray for their needs?
It’s time to stop seeing the church service as something a small group of “team members” do for the congregation. Instead, we should see it as something all of us do for God.
Worship, Not Entertainment
The purpose of Sunday is worship, and the focus is not on us—it’s on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For too long, the idea of a “seeker service” – one that caters primarily to those outside the church – has shaped our approach to Sunday. But that time is ending. The true purpose of Sunday is being redeemed. When we center our services on worshiping God, everything else falls into place.
Worshiping God in song, prayer, and the preaching of His Word, discipling the saints, administering the sacraments, and reaching the lost—these are all vital parts of the church’s mission. But they can only be truly effective when we prioritize worship as the core of our Sunday gatherings. When we come with a heart ready to honor and serve God, we find that all these purposes are fulfilled, both for us and for those around us.
