The purpose of the church, as planned by God from the beginning, is not a cosmic accident but a deliberate design by the Creator. God intended for there to be a group, known as the church, that would bear characteristics similar to His Son. This group, called and arranged for a specific purpose, is meant to reflect God's nature even now, though not yet fully as destined when they will completely be sons of God. The church exists as a spiritual organism, alive and united under Christ as the head, with a function to carry out. Its primary responsibility is preparing those who are called, rather than focusing solely on preaching to the world. God raises up individuals at specific times to call out a few for preparation, often followed by long periods with little public preaching. The church's role includes begetting children into the Family of God, as only those drawn by the Father's Spirit can come to Christ. Historically, the church's purpose is tied to Israel's failure to fulfill God's expectations. Israel, as a congregation, was meant to witness to the world through example and produce holy seed, but they failed due to unbelief. Consequently, God turned to the church, the Israel of God, to achieve what Israel could not. Under the New Covenant, the church is held to a higher degree of sanctity, with better promises such as forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and the receipt of God's Holy Spirit, aiming to eliminate human weaknesses through a lifetime of sanctification. The church, built by Jesus Christ over 2,000 years, is being prepared as the firstfruits of God's purpose to assume roles in expanding His Family. This preparation involves sanctification to be ready for the marriage with Christ, from which spiritual children will be born, particularly during the Millennium. The church will play a key role in the reconciliation and salvation of Israel after Christ's return, acting as a holy seed to transform Israel into a holy nation. Eventually, through the church and the converted nation of Israel, God's work will expand to include the salvation of the Gentiles and the entire world in the Great White Throne judgment. Even now, the church practices a ministry of reconciliation, preparing for the greater work of reconciling the world to God through Christ's sacrifice. This purpose, unfolding over time, will culminate when the church reflects enough of God's image, signaling Christ's return and the readiness to fulfill the work it was designed to do.

To avoid becoming unsettled in this spiritually confused world, one must understand the purpose of life and of God's church. Those called now are given the Holy Spirit for the purpose of getting a job done, assisting in proclaiming Christ's gospel message of the Kingdom of God worldwide through heart-rending prayer, encouragement, tithes, and offerings, which also develops God's righteous character in them. Even after the completion of specific commissions, the work of God's church continues faithfully until Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns. Since 1986, the focus of God's work has shifted from preaching the gospel to the world to preparing church members to serve survivors of the Great Tribulation and assist their Creator in setting up His Kingdom after Christ's return. God's command to hold fast to what we have, so that no one may take our crown, is more critical now than ever, as we are diligently encouraged to guard the truth. Our loving Creator is subjecting the few called now to an ungodly environment to help us see the need for doing things God's way and to allow Him to mold and fashion the strong, righteous character needed to help the millions of weak and helpless survivors at Christ's Return. The emphasis now is on feeding the flock, not the world, as the faithful and wise servant gives meat in due season until Christ returns. The purpose of God's work today, and our calling, is to prepare for the next phase of God's work as the wonderful World Tomorrow begins, which is why we are in God's church now, ahead of the time when God calls all of mankind to salvation.

The purpose of the church, as understood in the context of recent challenges and historical experiences, is not solely to preach the gospel to the world, though that remains a part of its mission. The church's primary work aligns with God's overarching purpose of creation, which is to shape and form humanity into His spiritual image. This process of transformation is far more time-consuming and significant than the initial proclamation of the gospel, requiring deep, ongoing nurturing and feeding of the flock to develop mature faith and trust in Him. The church's role is dynamic and adapts to circumstances as directed by God, who sovereignly guides His people through various operations. At times, the focus may shift from public proclamation to gathering scattered sheep and addressing the causes of their dispersion to prevent further scattering. The feeding of the flock, providing detailed and intense instruction from the gospel, is as vital as initial preaching, enabling members to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ toward spiritual maturity. God's work of salvation encompasses much more than preaching; it involves testing and refining the church through trials to correct deficiencies and strengthen attachment to Him. The church must trust in His control, even when it appears that foundations are shaken, understanding that He is actively engineering circumstances for the ultimate good of His people. Thus, the church's purpose is to participate in His creative work by fostering an environment where saving faith and holiness are cultivated, preparing members for service in His Kingdom.