Then It Came To Me…

“The Church-A Reasonable Priority.”  An ongoing pastoral concern is that “the Church, our Church,” be held in utmost esteem by members of our fellowship and the general body of Christ.  We often have to deal with believers who seem to consider the Church a choice among choices, something to do when I want to do that something.  This is a serious malady.  It is, at best, an indication of misplaced priorities.  At its worst, it could indicate an unregenerate heart – a church member who is not a Christian.  Both indicators are negative; both are serious.  So, thank you for indulging this serious attempt to present this in a palatable manner.

The love of God constrains us to embrace this matter.  One might ask, “How do you know this? Are you judging people and their motives?”  Well, how does one know that the Church as a priority may be misplaced?  There are signs, evidences that reveal this.  They include irregularity in and indifference to church matters. To show up and/or participate passionately for a while, then passionately not show up and/or participate is dangerous.  It is dangerous because it shows instability.  Let the word of God speak to us.  “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). To vacillate between jobs-well-done and jobs-half done is evidence that “the Church” is not a consistent priority.  No one is being judged.  However, we are all under constant review.  All sorts of excuses are offered.  For some, it is “family problems, personal matters, lack of spiritual clarity, temporary lapses into old habits,” and a lot more.  Just know that any Christian who is drawn away after other interests, lusts, or likes to the detriment of his/her relationship with the Church is in rebellion.  Hebrews 10:25 teaches,”… Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…; but exhorting one another…”

So, please receive this appeal and exhortation “that the church maintains a place of affection above all institutions of human origin” (Church Covenant -modified).

                                         Shalom, my friends,

                                         Bishop Kenneth C. Doe