[532 words]
In our ongoing efforts to be the church, the body of Christ, I can’t help but wonder if many folks are missing some vital points. We rightly preach baptism for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). We rightly teach that it is God who adds us to his church (Acts 2:47), and ultimately, he is the one who truly “knows those who are his” (2 Timothy 2:19). I think we also rightly teach that it is appropriate for a person to make it known that he or she wants to “join” (place membership with) a local congregation (Acts 9:26). We thus rightly teach that the “church” is universal, yet there are “local churches” (Matthew 16:16; Acts 20:17: 1 Corinthians 1:1,2).
Most, if not all congregations keep a “roll” of some sort, composed of names and addresses of Christians and their families and who regularly attend worship and Bible study assemblies in that location. Congregations (out of love) try to care for one another and provide for families during sickness and death; weddings and births. It has been my experience through the years, that Christians prove themselves to be extremely compassionate and generous.
However, I am afraid there are Christians who look at this roll (directory, call it what you will) as a document similar to a benefits resume of an auto club or something similar. I fear that such an understanding goes something like this: “I am a member of this congregation (have been for years) and I will come to church when I want to do so. I expect the congregation to give a shower to me or my children when we get married or have children, no matter the circumstances surrounding either event. I expect my sickness/ death and any sickness /death in my family to be announced. And I expect for my family to be fed when I or my relatives die. If you deny me any of these rights, imply that I am not a member of this church, or question my behavior, I have the right to criticize you and become a member of some other congregation. After all, this is not the only church in the area.”
Now, the above statement may not be an exact group of sentences spoken, but you and I know that the behavior of some Christians reflects such an attitude. We can indeed know people by their fruits (Matthew 7:16).
On any given Sunday, there are far fewer people present for worship than are listed on a roll or in a directory. Cases of those sick or on journeys are easily taken into account. However, the current state of affairs in many congregations shows that multitudes are “members” in name only, and exhibit attitudes similar to that above.
Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27, ESV). It is crystal clear, from the context, that he is referring to body parts that are present and functioning, not membership benefits. Question: If the other members (body parts) don’t know where you are for weeks and months at a time, are you really a body part?
Lance Cordle
Calvert City Church of Christ
Calvert City, KY