The Church's Designated Role ...

"What then is the conclusion, brothers?  Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or an interpretation.   All things must be done for edification."  (1 Cor. 14:26, HCSB).  
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers" (Acts 2:42, HCSB). 

Everyone is welcome to come as they are; however, not expecting to stay that way--no perfect people need to apply!  

The church, as one of three divine institutions (along with family and government), has what's called sphere sovereignty or authority in its rightful domain which shouldn't be usurped by other institutions (role reversal or switching).   Operating in its place, the church has the authority to salvage the soul through the preaching of the gospel; however, Christians have not sanitized the self or society but aim to save and salvage them respectively.  The church must not concede everything away and let secularism win by default or neglect.  "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph," according to Edmund Burke, "is for good men to do nothing!"  We have an inherent, intrinsic duty as the children of God to render unto Caesar our civic duty in whatever capacity we can (cf. Mark 12:17).  That's why Jesus called us salt and light in the lost world (cf. Matt. 5:13-14) that lies under the dominion and authority of Satan (cf. 1 John 5:19).

But if the salt loses it's preserving element or saltiness, the society will suffer consequently.  That's why we must beware lest heresy and false teachers creep in (cf. Jude v. 4) and manipulate the church in the wrong direction, and even by their charisma (which can lead to a personality cult). We must acknowledge the church being the stabilizer and anchor, or moral fiber and conscience of society and a positive influence for good in the face and presence of evil.  We all have a part and this is our mission to the world, sometimes referred to as the so-called "social commission," which has not been rescinded.  Anything less is defined as a dysfunctional church.

The church has multiple ministries (prophetic, sacramental, disciplinary, and pastoral) to be completed in Christ by the application of the power of the Spirit at work in the believers.  All the various gifts are exercised only in the living church and to the benefit of the body, chosen severally as the Spirit wills (cf. 1 Cor. 12:18), to His divine purpose. In short, "mission" is to the lost, ministry to the saved.  We must edify or build each other up and be faithful to complete the ministry given us.  Jesus didn't definitively say how many members would comprise a church but did declare that, wherever two or three are gathered in His name, that He is present.  The church basically is present when the gifts of the Spirit function as a unit or whole, giving members the opportunity to grow in their faith, being equipped to spread the Word and edify others.  We all have a roll and are part of the "family" and should be committed and dedicated in that sense. We have a place to belong, grow, and become what we are meant to be.

This is what a church service should be.  It is imperative we attend church (cf. Heb. 10:25) to achieve spiritual checkups and take spiritual inventory, lest we drift away by becoming rogue believers, lone wolves, or Lone Ranger Christians.  Some would call the singing portion the worship, but it's all worship to God because it's dedicated to serving God in various capacities.  Giving is worship, heeding the sermon or message is too; however, we don't just go to church to listen to preaching.  It must be sound in doctrine and in spirit (cf. John 4:24).  The main focus should be to equip the saints for the great completion of the Great Commission, which is not a suggestion, but a mandate. There is no "one-size-fits-all" for worship and we all have different tastes, traditions, customs, maturities, and backgrounds that determine our choices. It's vital that all believers realize their gift (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1) and place in the kingdom of God manifest in the church.  The ultimate purpose is for the flock to attain maturity (Eph. 4:13) in Christ and have a foundation to "rightly divide the Word of God" (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15, KJV) and not to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (cf. Eph. 4: 14).  Christians are learners or disciples and must realize that this is a perpetual state and we never "arrive" (cf. Phil. 3:12) when we know it all and can rest on our laurels (cf. Phil. 3:14).

And so the function of the local church is five-fold summarized in the two greatest commandments, and the Great Commission:  We love God with all our heart (worship); we love our neighbor (social and gospel mission to the lost and needy--not just "turning stones into bread," or do-goodery); we make disciples (evangelism to lost, even in church); baptize (fellowship, sharing, friendship, service, and family orientation), and teach (preaching of the Word, ministry of gifts, "discipling," mentoring, or edifying).  That's why some say that the "great Christian is one who has a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission," according to Rick Warren.

We all are given the opportunity to serve God and our fellow man and are put on earth and in the church to make a contribution!  The church has a designated purpose and a place and opportunity for everyone to serve.  There ought to be a place for everyone to grow!  We can now see that the purpose of the church is to be conduits of grace by demonstrating faith through love in action, not just preaching it.  Caveat:  The church is to be semper reformanda, or always reforming, and never is without error or corners the market on truth.    Soli Deo Gloria!