Have you ever wondered what gives the church its sense of purpose? Or how can we, as a congregation, discern God’s will amid the challenges of modern life? In my years as a Sunday School teacher, an officer, and most recently as Clerk of Session, I hear versions of these questions regularly. When thinking through these questions, I regularly rely on “The Great Ends of the Church”—a foundational statement that has guided Presbyterian communities for over a century. These six Great Ends are more than lofty ideals; they are a roadmap for living out our faith and staying anchored in Christ’s mission. Having heard me mention this framework many times, Rachel Davis, Director of Communications, asked me to write on this topic for First News.  

Before we dive into “the Great Ends of the Church,” some background might be helpful. 

Church officers study Presbyterian polity, including the Book of Order, The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), a treasure trove of wisdom from generations of church leaders. Properly used, the Book of Order is not just a manual for governance but a guide for Christian mission. Paul’s letters remind us how easily conflict can arise in a Christian community, but they also reveal the power of structure and shared purpose to foster unity. When we fight amongst ourselves, Christ’s mission is the loser. The Book of Order gives us a framework for working together—even when we disagree—to remain focused on that mission. 

The first chapter in our Book of Order affirms that Christ alone rules, calls, teaches, and uses the church as he wills (F – 1.0202). 

Our roots, of course, are in the Reformation. Dr. Carlos E. Wilton notes in his book Principles of Presbyterian Polity, “Searching the Scriptures and the writings of ancient theologians, John Calvin—the Reformation’s brightest intellectual light—discerned an older tradition of governance. This tradition was built on the decisions of councils: assemblies of elected church leaders. It was Calvin’s deep conviction that communities are better equipped than individuals to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit.” 
Our Book of Order has been revised many times through the years. An almost 10-year effort was completed in 2011, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved the revised Form of Government. 
One of the most noted differences in the revised Form of Government section is that it starts with the mission of the congregation. In G – 101, it states in part, “the triune God gives to the congregation all the gifts of the gospel necessary to being the church. The congregation is the basic form of the church but is not of itself a sufficient form of the church.” 

Another important change approved in 2011 is how the Book of Order is organized. The first section is the Foundation of Presbyterian Polity, and this is the section where the Great Ends of the Church are noted, and they are: 

• the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind: 
• the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God. 
• the maintenance of divine worship. 
• the preservation of the truth. 
• the promotion of social righteousness; and 
• the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven in the world. 

The Great Ends first appeared in the Constitution of the United Presbyterian Church of North America in 1910. The word “ends” here is best understood as “goal,” “purpose,” “will,” or “reason for being.” The list is essentially a churchwide mission statement. 

I think of it as a job description for the church. 

Dr. Joseph D. Small, for a number of years, was Director of the Theology, Worship, and Educational unit of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He was the editor of a book titled Proclaiming the Great Ends of the Church. I wanted to share a few of his thoughts about the Great Ends with you. 

Dr. Small, in the introduction, states, “Faithful proclamation of the gospel has always been at the center of Presbyterian life, and preaching remains a fundamental responsibility of the church’s ministers. Proclamation of the good news is at the heart of congregational life, a clear indicator of ecclesial fidelity. John Calvin, principal forebearer of the Presbyterian church’s Reformed tradition, centers the church’s faithful life in the gospel’s proclamation through preaching and sacraments: Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard and the sacraments administered according to Christ institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists.” 

Dr. Small notes, “Focus on the real life of actual congregations is sharpened by Calvin’s insertion of the two little words and heard into his formulation. He understood that the proclamation of the Word alone is not sufficient, no matter how faithfully and skillfully preachers preach and teachers teach. Proclamation must be heard to fulfill its purpose by hearing, Calvin did not mean listening, of course, or even mere understanding. Hearing means receiving and receiving means living out the good news that is proclaimed in the preaching and teaching of the Word in the celebration of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” 

Dr. Small also comments that “In our time congregations have become focused on mission statements or vision statements as a staple of church life.” 

I hold our mission statement in high regard, but I appreciate his next thought. 

“Perhaps Presbyterians would be better served by focusing their attention on a mission statement that has been in the church’s constitution for over 100 years such as the Great Ends of the Church. Embedded in the opening chapter of the Book of Order are six great purposes of the church’s life- the life of every congregation in the whole denomination. Taken together, they express direction for mission with the clarity and substance rarely found in the fleeting products of church committees.” 

He goes on to state “the Great Ends of the Church should not be seen as a laundry list of disconnected items, but a holistic vision of the church’s life. The church cannot be faithful to the intention of the Great Ends by emphasizing some while neglecting others. All six of the church’s great purposes are integrally related. Their interconnections become evident in an interesting way when they are paired from the outside in.” 

The Great Ends of the Church are not theological boilerplate, and fulfilling the six fundamental purposes is not automatic. Each of the gradients presents problems for the church and challenges for the preacher. 

The Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington produced a miniseries with seven videos in Ted Talk presentation style. The six presenters were all pastors and members of our National Capital Presbytery. Rev. Dr. Rob Erickson did the introduction and the first video on the Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind. 

If you have more interest in this topic the videos are about seven minutes each and well worth your time to listen to these wonderful pastors that present the material. 

A few brief comments cannot adequately address the Great Ends of the Church, but I want to share a few thoughts on Rev. Becca Messman’s Preservation of the Truth presentation. 

She summarizes that the truth is found in Jesus Christ. She also notes that our Book of Confessions records bold truths that the church was required to address during difficult times.

She specifically refers to the Gospel of John and notes that the Greek word for truth appears 48 times in John’s Gospel, compared to 10 times in the other three Gospels combined.  

Rev. Messman says we are salt, and salt is the oldest of all preservatives. We are called to be the salt that preserves the truth. Where do we find the truth? In the Scriptures and Confessions of the Church. 

In the prologue to John’s Gospel in John 1:14 we read, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 
In John 8:32 Jesus said, “‘and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”  
In John 14:6 Jesus said to Thomas “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” 

Rev. Messman says the truth we preserve is not a what, but it is a who. It is Jesus.  

Let me close with a question and a few thoughts. 

As a congregation, how do we use the Great Ends of the Church to be what God has called us to be? 

This great historic church has two significant gifts: our financial resources and the time and the talents of its members. 

When making decisions about the future, we can use these Great Ends as a litmus test to ensure we are fulfilling our mission. As noted earlier they are all of equal importance. 

Our financial resources should be used for “the shelter and nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God.” We should use them for the “maintenance of divine worship” and the “promotion of social righteousness.” 

Equally as important is how we use our time and talents for the Great Ends of the church. 

As John Calvin noted, the Gospel is proclaimed by the preacher, but it must be heard by the congregation. It is the hearing of the Gospel and its power that should direct us in our work within the congregation, the greater Nashville community, and the world. 

When he was senior pastor at Brick Presbyterian Church in New York, Rev. Michael Lindvall would frequently pray these words in the Prayer of Illumination before he read the scripture for the sermon. “May these ancient words of scripture bring us comfort unless discomfort be the greater need.” 

As a faithful Presbyterian congregation, we should take comfort that the Great Ends of the Church are part of our foundation unless discomfort be the greater need. 

Dive Deeper
I have listed reference materials if you want to dive deeper into this topic. 
Videos
The Six Great Ends of the Church, Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington
Books
Proclaiming the Great Ends of the Church, Joseph D. Small, editor 
Principles of Presbyterian Polity, Carlos E. Wilton 
History and Theology in the Book of Order, William E. Chapman