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 "You
will not find a perfect congregation. Every group will have its
problems and your responsibility is to preach the truth,
not police it." I nodded in agreement. Both of us
knew that the only thing that "enforces" truth is the
honesty of a person's heart. I continued to listen as the older
preacher warned me against becoming as some "sectarian
preachers" he knew, "For example, they say that they
cannot work with a congregation that finances social activities
(and the speaker agrees that such use of local church funds is
unscriptural). Yet, they will work with a group that is not
actively involved in personal evangelism, and that is just as
wrong as far as God is concerned!" Hold everything —
let's back up a bit! I had agreed that no congregation was
perfect and that a preacher could teach, but not enforce, the
truth. But did that mean I could work with any congregation as
long as I intended to preach only the truth? I would have to
think and study about that for a while — and I did.
It
is true that every local work has its problems. No group is
perfect and without differences among its members. But to work
with a congregation which is collectively engaging in
error (as in supporting social activities with the church
treasury) and to work with a congregation whose members are not
fulfilling their individual responsibilities (as in lack
of personal evangelism) is not the same situation.
Let me explain.
A
local church is simply a group of saints who have agreed to work
together as a team. In this relationship with one-another,
Christians agree to join forces and pool their
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resources in order to carry out the
Lord's will. "When brethren function collectively, this
imposes upon each 'member of the team' the need to do his part
(1 Cor. 14:27f; 16:1-2). Each is also accountable for what he
agrees to support, encourage, and promote in this collective
activity (as in supporting social activities — ko) (Rev.
2:20f; 2 Jn, 11). It is understandable, and commendable, that
one should exercise patience toward those in error — while
making an effort to correct the error. But even this does not
make it right to jointly participate in that error!" (PT -
Vols. 1-10, 2-2, 5-9, 12-2)
Every
Christian, in every congregation, sustains a personal obligation
to God's will for which he will give an account (Rom. 14:12). In
the example of personal evangelism — many of the members of a
local work may not be fulfilling this obligation. However, their
actions do not commit me to the same actions, as in collective
work. I can still choose to personally teach others and
encourage my brethren to do the same.
As
a result of the "preaching, not policing" reasoning,
preachers are being encouraged to work with congregations
involved in unscriptural practices. If they have reservations
about working with such a group, they are reassured with the
statement that no local work is perfect. The Bible teaches that
if a Christian supports or encourages anything he doubts or
knows to be wrong, he jeopardizes his soul (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8).
Kevan O'Banion
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