What is the fundamental aim of the church?

 When you think of church you might think of music, or committees, or pot luck lunches, or uncomfortable pews, or kids programs.   You might have a more sophisticated answer and think evangelism, or missions, or fellowship.

But what it the fundamental aim of the church? I would argue that the fundamental aim of the church is to form a community into the image of Christ. And once that begins to happen all sorts of ministry will begin to overflow.

“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you …” Galatians 4:19

Here is the pastoral heart of the Apostle Paul.  He desperately wants the church to look like Jesus. This is a verse that guides me. As a pastor, there is a temptation to be distracted by many things. There is a tendency to be fixated on many things. This verse keeps me on course. It is the aim of the church to look like Jesus. It is my job as pastor to shepherd us in that direction.