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Here's
a question we have received which hardly seems "real"
enough to warrant the "You Know What?" page. It was
asked in seriousness, however, so we will comment on it here. "Is
it unscriptural to meet after services Sunday night for a personal
work program? We sign get-well cards, check on those who miss
services, set up a visitation with non-members, and discuss ways
we can take the gospel to the lost."
How
could such a gathering be unscriptural? The local church is a
"team" of brethren seeking to serve the Lord. Showing
concern for the sick, the weak; and taking the gospel to the world
is certainly "church" work. After services Sunday seems
an appropriate and convenient time. It seems incredible that
anyone would object to such a procedure; so, in absence of more
specific objection, I must answer, "It is not unscriptural”!
But 46 years of preaching have taught me to read between the lines
— no —- not on this letter alone, but on the general pattern
of such. (1) The objector may not want to do the work, and the
public gathering, where his absence would be obvious, embarrasses
him; (2) Or, some denominational or "liberal" church has
a like
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method of doing this work; (3) Or, the objector
is not in charge of this effort, and is jealously affected; (4)
Or, someone fears this may become a "cell" effort, apart
from the church and its designated oversight; (5) Or, one who is
often absent resents any "check-up" that reveals his
absence and causes brethren to question him; (6) Or, the
"cards" cost money someone does not want to pay; (7) Or,
perhaps you have had enough of this. I could fill the page, and
more, from experience.
Let
me make it clear that I know nothing of this particular case, so
this is not written to point fingers at certain brethren. But I
hope those who have allowed themselves to "object" for
excuses like the above will realize how common is this malady. We
are, in places, sick unto death — for no better reasons than
personal and petty bickering. To be "unscriptural" there
must be some violation of Bible pattern. Even "poor
judgment" or "inexpedient" is not unscriptural.
Team work demands we put "self" aside, and submit to one
another for God service.
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