by Dr. Steven Riser

INTRODUCTION: “If I were a minister...”

Some time ago a religious journal ran a series of intriguing articles under the general title, “If I were a minister”. Every article was written by a layman whose privilege it was to “sit under” a particular preacher Sunday by Sunday.

Ministers were firmly yet kindly told all sorts of things – 1) how to preach, how to pray in public, 2) how to visit the sick, 3) how to counsel the perplexed, 4) how to work happily with all sorts of people, 5) how to deal with the strong-willed and tender-hearted members of the flock, 6) how to manage the cranks who come along and so on.

The were urged 1) to be tactful without being insincere, 2) to be patient without being slack, 3) to be interesting without being sensational, 4) to be relevant without being disloyal to the historic Christian faith.

EXPLANATION:

I thought it appropriate to answer that article with this sermon: “If I were a church member.” I feel somewhat qualified to speak on this subject because I have been involved in the church for a quarter of a century before becoming a minister.

Suppose I hadn’t become a preacher and I’d remained all my life as a church member – what then? How shall I have regarded my privilege and shaped my responsibilities as an active member of the Body of Christ?

Where does one begin? I would begin with the fundamental Biblical conviction that it is God’s will that I become and remain an active member of a local Christian congregation.

I. PRAISE GOD FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP

I would consider it a wonderful privilege to be a member of Christ’s Body – His Church. Every Sunday, as I joined in the worship of the congregation I should sincerely thank God for the high and holy privilege of being a part of: “the household of faith” and of: “the ground and pillar of truth.” I should rejoice in the fact that I belong to: “the flock of God.”

I wouldn’t allow my membership in other organizations to detract from or hinder my participation in the Body of Christ. Children’s sports, personal entertainment, even civic organizations would be 2ndary to worshipping, growing and serving Christ in His Church.

With this never-ceasing wonder in my heart, I would strive to be an active participant and not merely a silent partner of God’s family. For I know that God hasn’t called me to be 1) a secret service Christian or 2) a pew warming Christian or 3) a nominal Christian but to join in mutual commitment to the Family of Faith of which I am privileged to be a part.

I would understand being a church member is not a spectator sport and that my heavenly Father is much happier about people who are productively engaged in growing & serving God than those who remain on the sidelines. God is more interested in constructive accomplishment than constant complaining. Commitment to Christ always trumps criticism!

As long as I’m alive God has a good purpose for my life which consists of serving Christ in and through His Church. To know Christ is to love Him and to love Him is to serve Him.

In every church there are two kinds of people: 1) Those who are willing to work; 2) Those who are willing to let them. The last thing I would want to be is: a practical atheist, one who thought he was doing God a favor by coming to church one hour a week on Sunday and then living Monday through Saturday as though God didn’t exist.

II. ENGENDER A SPIRIT OF LOVE/HARMONY IN THE BODY

Secondly, if I were a church member I would do my best to engender the spirit of harmony in the congregation knowing that the welfare of one member was contingent on the welfare of the others and as Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Not that I should always expect unanimity of opinion or uniformity of action; it takes all sorts of people to make a church and differences of opinion are bound to occur. But…

I would try to remember that differences of opinion, more often than not, are but 1) a division of labor in the pursuit of the truth in an effort to discover the will of God in a given situation or 2) a reflection of different spiritual gifts in the service of God or 3) the result of different levels of spiritual maturity. (Phil.3:15)

I would understand that only God has all the pieces to the puzzle called “Truth”. I wouldn’t try and absolutize my opinions or be unteachable or dogmatic in the non-essentials or where I had limited knowledge and experience.

I would want to make sure that my actions and reactions were based on God’s revealed Word and objective facts rather than irrational feelings and/or unwarranted assumptions.

Hearts touched by the Holy Spirit can agree, even though heads may differ, in seeking the solution to a difficult problem. So long as my fellow members agree on the main points of the church’s life and witness, I should not be unduly disturbed by minor disagreements.

I would remind myself not make a mountain out of a mole hill. I would remember: the EPC motto: Unity in the essentials, liberty in the non-essentials, and charity in all things.

I would also pray for my Pastor, my congregation and myself, knowing that prayer is not only “the sword of the saints,” but also the solvent of difficulties. In all aspects of the church’s ministry I would seek to create an atmosphere in which other Christians could be constructive and productive.

I would ask for grace to love everyone – even those I found it hard to like – the awkward, the touchy, the disgruntled and even the well intentioned dragons. I would keep in mind the spiritual fact that an atmosphere of prayer is more important than a barrage of criticism.

III. SEEK TO ENCOURAGE CHRISTIANS ALONG THE WAY

In the third place, if I were a Church member, I should seek to encourage my fellow travelers in the Christian way. Life can be difficult; there are many disappointments along the way: there are many things that can discourage us in our relationships with others.

But knowing how easily we influence others, I should say to my fellow workers in Christ’s cause, “Be of good courage. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” And I should look as if I meant it. I would seek to maintain a positive attitudinal atmosphere.

I would speak words of encouragement to my Pastor, church officers, staff and teachers as well as my fellow church members knowing that “Encouragement is oxygen for the soul.” While it is true that God should receive all the glory, it’s not inappropriate or unnecessary to express appreciation and encouragement to others.

IV. GRACIOUSLY SUBMIT TO THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Fourthly, if I was a church member, I should realize that no one is infallible, not even me. So I would graciously submit to the authority of the church leadership (Pastor/elders). I would do all I can to promote and preserve the peace, unity and harmony of the church.

I should not be fond of having my own way. If I gave offense, even unintentionally, I should be willing to apologize; and I should be equally willing to forgive anyone who might offend me, whether it be deliberately or unintentionally.

When I came across a tangle in church life, I should do what I can to straighten it out, reminding myself that Christ has called me to be a peacemaker, reconciler, bridge builder and healer. I must take the log out of my own eye before taking the splinter out of another.

I should set a watch on my tongue, thereby escaping the dangers of irresponsible gossip. I should refrain from criticizing the church and its members before non-members. Rather, I should “talk it up” widely and enthusiastically hoping to commend it to people who are less than enthusiastic about the things of God. I would give God credit for anything good.

V. SUPPORT THE CHURCH IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE

Fifthly, if I were a church member, I should support my church in every possible way, by attendance and contributions, even to the point of sacrificial giving of time and talent.

I should seek to interest my non-church going friends and neighbors in the church and should always speak of Christ’s Church as if it were (as in deed it is) the most wonderful association of people on earth.

I would visit inactive members (lost sheep) and inform the minister of any whom I know to be sick, in trouble or in need of a pastoral visit. I should welcome visitors so that they wouldn’t feel like strangers in God’s house, giving my seat or worship bulletin if need be. I would even invite them out to dinner after the worship service. What a great idea!

I should strive to make my church the most sympathetic and understanding group in the community, a place where poor sinners and puzzled saints could find sympathy, fellowship and inspiration, a place of forgiveness, healing, hope, encouragement and assurance.

In fact, I should do all in my power to bring about the answer to the often said prayer: “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” recognizing that I do this only as I depend upon the enabling grace of Jesus Christ my personal Savior & living Lord.

VI. DAILY WITNESS TO CHRIST IN CHARACTER/CONDUCT

Next, if I were a church member, I should try to keep ever before me the privilege to bear witness in daily character and conduct to the redeeming grace and love of the Savior.

Sometimes I should remind myself of the old Roman proverb, “Nothing is more useful than sunshine and salt.” I should seek to implement in speech and action the saving truth of our Lord’s words, “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” “Salt” to save others from moral decay. “Light” to deliver others from spiritual darkness.

Thus, there is a close connection between worship and witness: my place in the worshipping congregation would be to keep the “salt” from losing its savor and prevent the “light” from being hidden under a bushel. Finally, if I were a church member, I would…

VII. FOCUS ON BEING A DISCIPLE AND MAKING DISCIPLES.

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. What’s the main thing? The main thing is the divine imperative Christ gave us: the Great Commission: Make Disciples! Since we can’t impart what we don’t possess, we must 1st be a disciple in order to make disciples.

Compared to Discipleship, everything else in the church is like rearranging furniture on the Titanic. Each one of us was spiritually born in order to spiritually reproduce. We must not miss out on the blessing on being used by God to: make disciples of others! (Mt. 28: 20)

CONCLUSION:

Having heard all I have said, you may well exclaim: “What a pity you ever became a minister and didn’t remain a church member!” However, I fear that had I remained a church member I would have fallen short of this very high ideal that I have set forth.

If I found & joined the perfect church, it would not longer be perfect if I were a member. But thank God that where my sin abounds, God’s grace abounds all the more!

It’s not failure, but low aim that is our primary problem. He who aims at a star shoots higher and farther than he who aims at a tree. What a great difference it would make to the Church and our community if only our spirituals aims were higher!

How much faster would God’s saving purpose be realized if only each of us strove more earnestly in Christ’s strength to be a worthy member of His holy Body and His heavenly Bride-the Church? May each of us walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called!