By Augustus Henry (PhD)
FAKING it or making it!
There are two groups of people in church: those who see a problem and count themselves in the solution, and those who secretly, and mostly-in-their-minds, nominate other people as their substitutes to solve that problem.
The second group says there is work to be done but Sis. Jane will do it. They say church will start on time, because Pastor will be there, Sis. Pat will be there; there will be people to start the service. Then these same folks are those with church programme responsibility but are hardly ever prepared – they wing-it almost all the time.
That same second group will speak of how uninspiring the church programme is. But let me quote wisdom from my illustrious wife: People say that the church is uninteresting to them, but these people are offering nothing interesting or vital to the church. That second group, when carrying a load, will never hold the corners, because only committed people carry the corners. In which do you fall?
The problem: commitment to the Kingdom.
The hardest and most committed workers.
If there is a concern about commitment to working in the church, the question has to be, does your church’s agenda mirror God’s agenda? If you agree that it mirrors God’s expectations, then committing to the work of the church is the same as committing to God. Paul wrote, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Therefore, to the extent that church activity reflects God’s work is to that same degree the church agenda is God’s work. And, as Christians, we are required to support and engage in such activities.
What is there to follow about Christ:
Matt. 3 says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. His expectation is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned.” If the church is carrying that mission and you are not involved – you have abdicated your responsibility to God.
If the church ministries do not reflect the work of God, then say so, but if it is his work then, put both your shoulders to the wheel and not just a finger.
One thing that could be bothersome is that the oldest and least able people in the church are often the most visibly committed members. Not only that; they work the hardest. You may conjecture that some do so because they are retired or have less. Regardless, those are the folks that are frequently involved.
We have a church food programme in which we have the same people every month, and others come only when all their business is done or when there is no more fun adventure on their schedule. For these people, God’s work is the last consideration on their agenda. They give just a token contribution to the work. Some talk of how busy they are, and they therefore cannot contribute like others to the cause. Those are folks who believe that God gave 30-hour days to some, and he gave 24 to them. We all have commitments, we all have families, jobs, and problems. Some of us see God in the midst of problems and commitments and others do not.
Sabbath-keeping pretention.
Then there is the sabbath day. We either believe in it or don’t. If you don’t, I will not hold that against you. That is about you and your conviction about God’s Word. However, if you have accepted the sabbath as binding, then give God his time.
There is only one seventh day sabbath doctrine in the bible. You either accept it or you do not! If you agree to keep the seventh day sabbath, there is only one: it was mentioned at the end of creation and it’s the fourth commandment. Remember that there was a sabbath before the Jews ever existed!
Isaiah 13, “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honour the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.”
Jesus did not change that. If there is a seventh day sabbath, it is that same one in the Old Testament, because Jesus never gave a new one. If you accept the sabbath doctrine, this scripture is still binding today.
Respect God’s time!
Evangelism.
There is a saying that a church does not have to show numerical growth for growth to occur. This statement is true only to the extent that we are diligently feeding his flock as he ordered Peter to do. How can we claim that a given church cannot grow numerically when we have not done all we can to win souls for the kingdom. That is one item for which pastors or leaders may accept blame. Because as a leader, one must establish an effective soul-winning programme among the membership. If that has not transpired, things have to change.
Listen to your conscience to do the right thing.
God has placed a conscience on our inside that instruct us to do the right thing. So, we listen and obey the bidding of the Holy Spirit through our consciences. However, the more we ignore the Spirit, the further we stray. The bible also says, “Quench not the Spirit,” and “the spirit of God will not always strive with men.” It means that the longer you resist instruction to do right, the further you stray from God. In ending, I urge you to listen to that small voice inside you that bids you to do God’s will – your life will be better for it!