Take to the World: The Result of Churchly Life

So does the ministry of word and sacrament promote an ingrown, self-focused tendency in the church? Does this view of Spiritual Life as Churchly Life ignore the world?

No, and this is why a worship service ends with the benediction. The benediction reminds the people that they have received blessing and grace from God by the Word and that should be taken back to the world.

Derek Webb has a great song called "Take to the World" that functions much like a Benediction. The first few lines communicate that well, asking that our "ears ring long with what you've heard" and that the "bread on your tongue, leave a trail of crumbs to lead the hungry back to the place that you are from."

Take to the World
by Derek Webb

go in peace, to love and to serve
let your ears ring long with what you’ve heard
and may the bread on your tongue
leave a trail of crumbs
to lead the hungry back to the place that you are from

(chorus)
and take to the world this love, hope and faith
take to the world this rare, relentless grace
and like the three in one
know you must become what you want to save
‘cause that’s still the way
He takes to the world

go, and go far
take light deep in the dark
believe what’s true
He uses all, even you