Corporate worship and the mission of God : tensions that complicate all-level discipleship

Horseman, Benjamin John

Mobius Work

Corporate worship and the mission of God : tensions that complicate all-level discipleship

Public Deposited

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1 online resource (viii, 129 leaves)

Includes abstract

D. Min. Covenant Theological Seminary 2025

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-129)

Title

Corporate worship and the mission of God : tensions that complicate all-level discipleship

Last modified

11/14/2025

Creator

Horseman, Benjamin John

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how pastors design church worship services to help congregants embody the mission of God in every area of life and the tensions that impede this connection. Many Christians in the United States have separated corporate worship from mission. They have replaced God’s call to love and serve others with an individualistic approach to the Christian faith. This study utilized a basic qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with six pastors from various denominations who regularly plan worship services and care about Chistian mission. The interviews focused on gathering data with four research questions about worship practices and the mission of God. These questions guided the interviews, and the data was sorted using the constant comparative method. The literature review focused on four key areas to understand the connection between worship and mission, including a biblical framework of Christian mission, a biblical understanding of salvation, the connection between salvation and worship, and three culture shifts that have affected corporate worship services. This study concluded that worship services play a vital role in helping congregants embody the mission of God in the world. Biblical worship influences every area of life and compels Christians to practice all-level discipleship. This study recommends that pastors see discipleship as the primary purpose of the worship service. Ideally, this mindset will bring about spiritual growth for the believer and leave space for potential Christians to encounter the Triune God.

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