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January 1, 2005, Vol.4, No.1. Responsibilities to the Local Church Keith Sharp Churches of Christ probably face no problem more persistent and frustrating than that of members who allow the things of the world to hinder their work with the local congregation. Long hours on the job, visits by company, fishing trips - all these and myriads of other hindrances keep Christians from fulfilling their duties to the church. I think an important source of this discouraging failure is ignorance on the part of many disciples of the seriousness of their relationship to the local congregation. What are the responsibilities of a Christian to the church of which he is a member? Importance of Membership How important is membership in a congregation? The New Testament authorizes only one organization to be in any way a part of or attached to the Lord’s church. That organization is the local congregation (1 Corinthians 1:2). If congregations fail to perform their scriptural tasks, there is no scriptural, organized activity within the Lord’s body. The Lord requires Christians to become members of a local church. The idea of "free-floating Christians," where disciples drift back and forth between local churches with no obligation to any congregation, was unknown. Two examples will suffice to demonstrate this truth. As soon as the Lord’s church began, the first citizens of the kingdom formed an organized congregation. They worshiped together on a permanent basis and had a treasury through which they did a common work (Acts 2:44-48). They were a local church. The apostle Paul well exemplified the importance of membership in a local church. He had hardly arrived in Jerusalem when he wanted to become a member of that congregation (Acts 9:26-28). Bases of Responsibilities All members of the congregation have a responsibility to share in its work. This obligation cannot be fulfilled through family devotionals, group meetings in one’s home (unless the family or the group meeting in the home is the local church), or membership in civic clubs or charitable organizations. None of these activities is wrong, but neither can any of them replace or take precedence over responsibilities to the congregation. As the local church is a God-ordained relationship, responsibilities to it can only be fulfilled within the congregation itself. There are four bases to this obligation. First is mutual agreement. Since you agreed to become a member of a local church when you joined (Acts 9:26-28), you agreed to fulfill whatever obligations come as the result of membership. This duty is also based on mutual responsibilities of the members to each other. Every member is obligated to use his abilities for the benefit of the entire body (Romans 12:4-8). Our responsibility also rests on mutual love for one another (Romans 12:9-10). We should so love our brothers and sisters that we desire to be with them, work with them, and serve them. The obligation is based on mutual need for each other. Every part of the body is needed to do its share in the growth of the body (Ephesians 4:16). Importance of Each Member Christians sometimes have the denominational attitude in which they expect the work of the local church to be carried out by paid professionals, the clergy, such as a pastor or a priest. The church Jesus built has no professional clergy but relies upon the loving, dedicated service of each member (cf. Matthew 23:8-11). Every member is important because each has his own function to perform (1 Corinthians 12:14-19).You may not be able to do the things that win the praise of others, but God sees and knows the little deeds of kindness and service you perform (Matthew 6:1-4). Those with great ability and spiritual strength must not look down upon the less gifted or weaker as unimportant (1 Corinthians 12:20-24). Rather, the local body should be bound together by the mutual love and concern of every member for each other (1 Corinthians 12:25-27). Responsibilities of Each Member What then are the responsibilities we as Christians have to the congregation of which we are members? There are but six simple yet essential duties. Each member of the church is obligated to faithfully assemble with the saints to worship God (Hebrews 10:24-25). Also, every Christian in the congregation is to give liberally of his means in the first day of the week collection to help the church discharge its work (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). All members should fully support every scriptural function of the church (James 4:17). We should zealously participate in every scriptural activity of the local church that pertains to us. Each Christian is to diligently work at those services he is able to render (Romans 12:4-8). Whether you can preach, mow the grass, teach a class, prepare communion, or assist the sick, do the best you can in God’s service with whatever gifts He has graciously bestowed upon you. Instead of selfishly taking but never giving, be constantly giving in the service of the Lord. When members complain, "There's nothing I can do," I am reminded of the true story of a crippled teenager in Steele, Missouri many years ago. After he was baptized, he wanted to work for the Lord. Noticing that the elderly people of the church had to struggle up high steps and then labor to push open a heavy front door, he asked the elders to allow him to sit in his wheelchair in the foyer and pull a string to open the door for the aged. "There is work that we all can do." Every member is obligated to demonstrate love and concern for every other member through deeds of kindness (Romans 12:9-10,13). And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward (Matthew 10:42). Finally, we should each pray for one another regularly (James 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Faithfully Assemble Give Liberally Fully Support Diligently Work Demonstrate Love Pray for One Another Each Member Local Church Conclusion What does it take to make a local church successful? A great, dynamic preacher? The wisest elders in the land? The most skilled Bible class teachers? Those would all be wonderful, but even if a congregation had them, it might not be successful in pleasing the Lord. To be successful, the local church needs every member doing his part, fulfilling his obligations. Each member should faithfully attend, liberally give, fully support the work, diligently work, sincerely love, and unceasingly pray. When that describes each member of the congregation, the church will be successful. Does it describe you? Are you "not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord"? (Romans 12:11)
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