(A summary of Andy Addis’ teaching at the 2025 AC Leaders’ Conference.)
Why Do We Gather? Rediscovering the Purpose of Church
Many pastors feel immense pressure to perfect the weekend gathering. But is that what Scripture emphasizes, or is it just man-made pragmatism? Instead of focusing solely on what we do—preaching, singing, praying, giving—let’s focus on why we gather.
We Gather to Deepen Our Devotion (Hebrews 10:19-22)
- We come together because we can confidently draw near to God through Jesus.
- The goal isn’t to exalt preaching, music, or programs, but to help people encounter God.
- Don’t focus on drawing people to your church—focus on drawing them to Christ.
We Gather to Strengthen Our Convictions (Hebrews 10:23)
- Our people need theological steel planted in their souls.
- Relevance isn’t the priority—feeding them the Word is.
- Value clarity over cleverness—God’s truth is solid ground.
We Gather to Inspire Service (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Devotion to God leads to strengthened convictions, which fuel action.
- We don’t just bask in worship; we spur one another toward love and good works.
- The return of Christ is closer than yesterday. We must act with urgency.
- Let every service include an application that is actionable, accountable, and announce-able.
Stick to God’s Plan
Your job isn’t to reinvent the church—it’s to follow God’s design. Lead your people to worship, grow, and serve with purpose, urgency, and unwavering trust in His plan.