Everything we do as a church must illuminate and illustrate the mission and ministry of Christ.

Churchianity emerges when we turn away from our Kingdom call and purpose. For instance, if a church's ultimate objective is to promote its own brand to ensure its own profit and prosperity rather than continuing the mission and ministry of Jesus, it is clearly going against what He has taught us to do. The energy of that church is concentrated on its own elevation and expansion rather than preparing its members to act as Christ-filled change agents in the world. When a church acts in this way, it is actually acting contrary to the Spirit of Jesus.

We should heed the warning words of Jesus to the church in Laodicea.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Revelation 3:15-17 (ESV)

When a church forgets its mission, it loses self-awareness and becomes lukewarm. Being located in a prosperous and well-known city gave the Laodicean Church the impression that its success was due to its wealth and opulent spending, but Jesus exposed its lack of enthusiasm and excitement in following Him.

We won't actively pursue mission and discipleship if our relationship with Jesus is not a top priority. Even worse, we will misrepresent Christ and Christianity because of our reluctance to listen to Jesus and do what He says.

Our missiology informs our ecclesiology. Who we want to reach shapes how we do church. So much depends on whether or not we accept Christ's invitation to carry out His Great Commission. When Christ is the centre and focal point of our individual and corporate life, we will make significant difference to the world around us.