--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The task of the church, for example…" description: "\"The task of the church, for example, becomes less that of indoctrinating or relating people to an external divine power and more that of providing oppo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/john-shelby-spong-1488_all-things_the-task-of-the-church-for-example-becom_1320951.png" --- # The task of the church, for example, becomes less that of… ![“The task of the church, for example, becomes less that of indoctrinating or relating people to an external divine power and more that of providing opportunities for people to touch the infinite center of all things and to grow into all that they are destined to be.” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/john-shelby-spong-1488_all-things_the-task-of-the-church-for-example-becom_1320951.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/john-shelby-spong-1488_all-things_the-task-of-the-church-for-example-becom_1320951.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a7/john-shelby-spong-1488_all-things_the-task-of-the-church-for-example-becom_1320951.png) > “The task of the church, for example, becomes less that of indoctrinating or relating people to an external divine power and more that of providing opportunities for people to touch the infinite center of all things and to grow into all that they are destined to be.” [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The church should shift from doctrine to providing experiences that connect people to a deeper, universal reality and help them fulfill their destiny. **In simple terms:** Church should foster personal spiritual growth. Key Takeaway Create inclusive spaces for universal spiritual exploration. Themes spirituality community growth purpose Mood hopeful inspirational Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - worship services - community retreats - educational programs - interfaith dialogues Key Concepts theology humanism existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions balance tradition with personal experience? - What practices nurture a sense of the infinite? A Different Perspective Traditional doctrines may resist change and alienate seekers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Destined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destined/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Divine power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-power/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“I confess that my first reaction was a self-righteous astonishment that any group could so disfigure the past after its own image, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-tracy-mckenzie/i-confess-that-my-first-reaction-was-a-self-righteous-astonishment/) [Robert Tracy McKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-tracy-mckenzie/) > [The task of the Church after Jesus' resurrection and ascension was to proclaim the forgiveness of sins to all nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stanley/the-task-of-the-church-after-jesus-resurrection-and-ascension-was-to/) [Charles Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stanley/) > [The task of the church is twofold: to spread Christianity throughout the world and to make sure that the Christianity she spreads is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-task-of-the-church-is-twofold-to-spread-christianity-throughout/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The task of the church is to make the invisible Kingdom visible through faithful Christian living and witness-bearing .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/the-task-of-the-church-is-to-make-the-invisible-kingdom-visible/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [The supreme task of the Church is the evangelization of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-j-smith/the-supreme-task-of-the-church-is-the-evangelization-of-the-world/) [Oswald J. 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