What Is the Christian Church Suppose to Do?

I think a lot of churches are getting confused about what they are suppose to be doing.  I would add to that, I think a lot of churches are getting confused about what they should be preaching.  So here are some of my thoughts.

1.  The Church should bring people into the fold, accepting, loving, correcting and helping them to become more like Christ.  This is clearly what the Great Commission states.  On the other hand, the Church is not to force its values upon outsiders - there is nothing in the Bible to support this.

2.  The Kingdom of God is not the U.S. or any other country or political party for that matter.  The U.S. (or whatever country you live in) is a power that belongs to this world.  The Church is a group of people who are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, not countries of this world. 

3.  The Kingdom of God is comprised of people from all types of countries, groups and lives.  Separating ourselves from them and / or demonizing them for the sake of nationality is a sin.

4.  Jesus Christ and him crucified was Paul's primary message and focus.  Jesus' life on earth was John's focus.  We should not make modern self help psychology and political / social issues our primary focus.  These are tools that can be important and / or destructive, but cannot become the primary platform of the Church.  The cross and resurrection of Jesus cannot and should not be eclipsed by these other things, or else, we will cease to be the Church.

5.  We should serve Christ and His kingdom as his bride, as his ambassadors, and as his body.  Our mission is not to feed our hunger for personal fame, wealth, prosperity, and feeling good.  Our mission is to help and to serve others, to feed the hungry, help the helpless, visit prisoners and sick, and so on; bringing Christ to them.

6.  As Christ's ambassadors, our focus should be outward directed, not inward.   A constant inward directedness is a clear sign of immaturity in faith for a church or for an individual.

7.  The Church should be on the offense and not always be on the defense.  The gates of hell are built to defend against the Christ and His church.  Jesus overcame the world and his crucifixion exposed the principalities of this world. The Church marches from victory to victory.

8.  The Church should stay away from and warn its people to avoid the currents of this world that create and promote fear, anger and hate.  The Gospel promotes love, faith and hope - the Church must do the same.

9.  The Church should not use the scripture to justify or promote its own agendas and pet issues.  Rather the Church should let the Bible should speak for itself, directing us into holiness, service to others, and the fear of God.