I have a question for you: Why do you attend Sunday worship?

Many people come because they love to hear solid preaching.

Others might attend because they are inspired by the worship music.

Still, others might like seeing their family and friends. So that moment of fellowship with longtime companions, along with meeting new faces, just gives you a huge boost to start your week.

For many people who do ministry professionally, the Sunday service is one of the big things toward which we work. Crafting an engaging and inspiring Sunday service is often assumed to be the top priority for ministry leaders because it can ignite faith in newcomers and galvanize the faithful to live out their stated beliefs in the context of their daily lives, Monday through Saturday.

Not as many people would say that they attend Sunday worship for discipleship. For one, the word disciple sounds a bit churchy or is relegated to the dudes that followed Jesus around for three years. Additionally, for those that count discipleship as something essential to their lives, it’s often something they relegate to a church-related activity outside of Sunday worship or to attending a Bible class or practicing the habit of a daily devotional.

The truth is, however, Sunday worship IS a discipleship space. It is supposed to be a space where faithfulness in following Jesus is energized and cultivated in the lives of believers. But, of course, Sunday worship IS NOT the only discipleship space. Still, it is unique in the way that it serves to disciple the people who participate: it brings people together around common teaching from scripture, common proclamation of faith through song, shared participation in the Lord’s Supper, and a common participation in support of the church’s mission through giving. All of these elements help to disciple believers together in one gathering.

There are other spaces for discipleship in the church, and specifically at our church home at Mount Carmel. But, the goal of Sunday worship, for us, is to be one of those spaces followers of Jesus, in all stages of their walk in faith, and even not-yet-followers of Jesus can be equipped, encouraged, and enthused to take their next step in their walk with the Lord.

None of the reasons people typically give for attending Sunday worship is problematic. On the contrary, any excuse to encounter God through His church is a good one, or at least a good start. But our reason for giving our best to present an engaging and inspiring worship service is not to entertain, not to elevate a particular preacher or set of musicians, nor is it to try to be the best show in town, (because we won’t be). Instead, our goal for Sunday worship is to provide a space where those who attend can continue to grow into disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus.

Whatever reason you show up, consider embracing discipleship as a more significant reason, and we’ll continue to let God lead and do our part to foster a weekly space where discipleship happens for you.