Why Worship Must Be the Main Thing

Sungyak Kim
Jul 8
3 min read

Updated: Jul 28

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't.” – John Piper

At the heart of the Christian life—and therefore the church’s life—is love for God. Jesus said:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” – Matthew 22:37–38

This is not merely accessed via personal devotion; it is the corporate calling of the church. In fact, it is the calling of all humanity.

The very first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism makes this clear:

Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Worship, then, is not simply one activity among many. Worship is the goal of creation, the heartbeat of redemption, and the eternal occupation of the redeemed. It is what the church is for. It is what the world is invited into.

In light of this, church planting must prioritize what God prioritizes. Corporate worship is God’s appointed means of forming a people who love Him, glorify Him, and enjoy Him together. It is through worship—centered on Christ and shaped by His Word—that the church is nourished, reoriented, and sent out.

1. The Greatest Commandment Defines the Church’s Primary Calling

The church’s fundamental calling is not first to grow, serve, or reach, but to love the Lord with all our being. When Jesus identified the greatest commandment, He did not point to the Great Commission, but to the Great Commandment itself—to worshipful, wholehearted love for God.

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” – Psalm 29:2

Corporate worship is where the church is re-formed week by week to love God with heart, soul, and mind. In a world of disordered affections and constant distraction, worship lifts our gaze to the glory of God and reorders our hearts around what matters most.

2. Worship Is the Fuel and Goal of the Great Commission

The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) is essential to the church’s calling, but it is not ultimate. Mission exists to bring more people into the joyful worship of God. As the psalmist declares:

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” – Psalm 96:3

We share the gospel because we have tasted the goodness of God. We make disciples because we long for others to glorify and enjoy Him with us.

In Revelation 7, the church’s final destiny is worship—every nation praising the Lamb. A church that prioritizes worship naturally becomes a church that proclaims Christ, because we cannot help but share the One we adore.

3. God Seeks Worshipers, Not Just Workers

Jesus tells the woman at the well:

“The Father is seeking such people to worship him.” – John 4:23

God is on a mission—not first to find volunteers, or servants, or future leaders—but worshipers. Church planting must align with this divine priority. We are gathering people first into a community of love, awe, gratitude, and adoration.

Church planting, then, is not primarily about building structures or launching strategies. It is about gathering a people whose hearts are captivated by the glory of God and whose lives are centered on His praise.

4. Worship Keeps the Church God-Centered

“Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” – Hebrews 12:28

When corporate worship is central, the church remains centered—on God, not personalities or performance. It resists the drift toward pragmatism or consumerism. It grounds our identity, not in activity or success, but in being a people set apart to behold, magnify, and enjoy the glory of the Triune God.

In worship, we are reoriented around grace. We are reminded that God is not useful—He is worthy.

Conclusion: Let’s Make Worship the First and Final Priority of Solus Pres

In the early stages of church planting, the pressure to grow, to reach, and to impress can be immense. But Jesus’ words remind us of what must remain central:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…” – Matthew 22:37

Corporate worship is the God-ordained context in which we learn to do that—together. It is the arena where the gospel is proclaimed, God’s people are formed, and Christ is exalted by the power of the Spirit.

Let’s make worship the first and final priority of Solus Pres. Let us be a church that magnifies the Lord together: