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Support Your Local Church
Within the last several months we have observed signs in many front yards that say, “We support our President and our troops.” Depending on which social interest one has, appeals are made to, “Support your local PTA…boy scouts…girl scouts…community projects…fire department…police, etc.” People have no problem understanding that “support” means to get behind them, encourage them, stand behind what they are doing, give money to help, commit yourself to what needs to be done, etc. It means to be proud of them and their efforts. But more than anything it means to GET INVOLVED in some way -- you can’t support something while remaining detached and aloof.
We should want to be strong Christians, to build up other Christians and to save the lost. In doing this we need the help of other Christians. This is why we should want to support the local church – NOT TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION BY NUMBERS, BUDGET, OR EDIFACE.
But to have a strong congregation there must be some loyalty to the group -- such loyalty is not a displacement of or substitute for loyalty to Christ. There is no implication here that this is different from Christ loyalty or that it is putting the kingdom before the King. Neither is group loyalty and association an end within itself. Just belonging to a
congregation and being a loyal worker does not mean one will go to heaven. My relationship to a congregation of God’s people grows out of my relationship to God and not the reverse; however, my strong support of our together relationship is directly related to how loyal I am to Christ.
Based on Christ loyalty, group loyalty is essential to a strong together relationship. In our marriages, we must put the relationship before our individual preferences. So it is true in congregations -- we must put our brother to brother relationship before our own personal likes and dislikes. What is good for the congregation should motivate us, as long as it is scriptural. This congregation needs the commitment, interest, enthusiasm and loyalty of all the members in order to be the most effective in its work. It needs the mutual encouragement that comes from assembling together. It also needs the emotional support of all the members to its leaders, a willingness to share in the workload, and the financial support of every member to do the God-given work. You cannot have a strong, active congregation without the support of ALL of those who belong to it. Just a few who have an “us” versus “them” attitude can greatly hamper the effectiveness of many others who are diligently trying to do the Lord’s work.
“Members-at-large,” “perpetual visitors,” or “floating members” destroy a brother-to-brother relationship. What would this congregation be, if every member were like me? Would there be a congregation here? If so, what would it be like – strong, weak, indifferent, growing? Based on my knowledge, would it be a congregation which teaches the truth and is sound doctrinally? Based on my teaching, how much would others know? Based on my interest would it be alive or dead? Based on my efficiency would it be a congregation that was doing God’s work? – Jim R. Everett
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