PLANNING THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
PLANNING THE WORK OF THE CHURCH PLANNING THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
Clifton Rogers
Growing Churches—Working Churches This is a great day for the church of the Christ—a time of happy fellowship and growing spirituality, a time of vigorous activity and boundless opportunity. Within a few short years many congregations have doubled in size and have quadrupled their programs of work. Indeed, you can’t study the activities displayed from the various churches throughout the land without being emotionally moved by the realization that you are part of the growing strength of Christ’s church ion earth. You are part of the glorious kingdom of light.
Such growth has not come about accidentally, nor is it the fruit of the labors of only a few. At long last the church is really going to work! How we once reclined in our easy chairs of “We have the truth; come hear it”—and blinked our eyes in bewilderment as various denominations about us doubled in size, while we boldly challenged for debate. Why, the day was that rapid growth in any church of Christ was occasion for the raising of the eyebrow—“Something must be wrong over there.” Strange how easy it is to forget how rapid was the early growth of the church; strange how easy it is to explain away our own failure to grow.
Present activity and growth—and these do go hand in hand—are largely matters of emphasis and attitude. Long have we insisted with the apostle Paul, “Be ye steadfast, immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58 a). This is a plea to “stand fast in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13), to “hold the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13), and this is just as important today as ever it was. We. are coming to realize, however, that “Be ye steadfast, unmovable” has ever had this further exhortation, “Always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 b). It is to this knowledge that we are awakening. Holding faithfully to the one, we continue to “press on” in the other.
Hear these challenging exhortations from zealous workers in the early church: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). You are saved from sin to serve the Christ. “Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deluding your own selves . . . But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing . . . Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:22; James 1:25; James 1:27). As a Christian you are a doer or you are nothing. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). Is this what you are in your community? A Well-Balanced Program
In planning the work of the church very careful and prayerful attention must be given to the development of a well-balanced program. This means that prop" er emphasis must be placed on all phases of Christian growth and endeavor. A congregation may be ever so busy in activities, may have “something going” all the time, but unless proper emphasis is placed upon spiritual development the future can hold only stagnation or apostasy. Various promotional schemes may prove successful in assuring large crowds and contributions for a while, but the ultimate end is spiritual starvation. The church may even be vigorously aggressive in preaching the gospel to non-Christians while failing to help develop real spirituality and godliness in the lives of the Christians.
Emphasis Upon Individual Consecration
Such teaching and attitudes must exist within the very character of the congregation which will cause every disciple to know that his or her life is given as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (Romans 12:1-2)—a life gradually being transformed into the image or like^- ness of the Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is to be one who is poor in spirit, who mourns, who is meek, who hungers and thirsts after righteousness, who is merciful, who is pure in heart, who is a peacemaker, who rejoices in persecution (Matthew 5:3-12), the “good works” seen of men are the fruits of these attributes of character, and this is the distinct, unusual person who is the salt of the earth, the light of the world. But how does the Christian grow into the likeness of the perfect pattern? By having access to, by taking advantage of, opportunities for study and activity. Here it is that much care must be exercised on the part of those who plan the program of work. How important is study to spiritual growth! “As newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). It is absolutely vital. No wonder the apostle Paul prayed “that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9). And this can be realized to the greatest degree by the Christian when, and only when, there is real QUALITY in the teaching program of the church. Studying is one thing, but sitting at the feet of capable and consecrated Christian teachers greatly enhances that study. This is a fact that many ignore, and they ignore it because they fail to understand the importance of Bible knowledge to Christian development. Surely expenditures of con-siderable sums of money for better materials, equipment, and teachers is no waste. Definite plans should be made toward increasing the quality of the teaching. But the Christian grows not only by reading, by studying; he grows through ACTIVITY. “Walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). One phase of activity involves participation in worship to God through Jesus Christ. Part of this, a very important part, is private prayer in the inner chamber at home. Pity you if you do not have access to a room on the door of which you can place the sign: “Private: keep out.” But the second part of worship relates to fellowship with other saints as the church assembles. “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh” (Hebrews 10:25). Here again special care must be exercised to the end that there will be real QUALITY in assembly worship, the service can’t just “happen”. Definite plans must be made to assure that “all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40), and that there will be a rev-erent atmosphere conducive to spirituality of worship (note 1 Corinthians 14:15).
Then, too, there is activity within the realm of Christian service. Indeed, until the Christian learns to use hospitality to strangers, to wash the saints’ feet, to relieve the afflicted (1 Timothy 5:10), he knows little of the spirit of the Master. Exactly the same is true concerning teaching others the way of life. This is church work. Too often you hear statements like this, “A large church has so little for the members to do.” What does that mean anyhow? It certainly does not apply within the field of teaching or community service. Sad it is that many consider public participation in a worship service—leading singing, directing the congregational thought in prayer, assisting at the Lord’s tables—as the ultimate in “church work”. Why, the work of the church is as broad as the individual responsibility of each disciple to serve others. There is far more to be done than folk ever get around to. But again, brethren need leadership, direction, and this requires definite planning.
Emphasis Upon Fellowship in Service
Every Christian, sensing that he has an individual responsibility to the Lord, must also understand that there are congregational responsibilities as well. In the church each several building must be “fitly framed together” (Ephesians 2:21) so that there may exist in the community a closely-knit body of saints who labor as one to the advancement of the Cause of Christ. There is congregational worship, congregational work, con-gregational fellowship. If the church as a unit is to have any real impact upon the community, if the people of the area are to know the church is even there, definite planning in joint enterprise must be made. A few people working together as one man can have a tremendous influence for good in a given locality. But this won’t just “happen”; this is the result of concentration of endeavor according to specifically outlined objectives and plans.
Planning the Work
Scriptural Organization
Needless to say, every plan, every activity must operate within the scope of that which is scriptural. This does not mean that methods and procedures in our day will be restricted to methods and procedures of even a generation ago. It does mean that the congregation must not go beyond that which is within the realm of scriptural permission. As was true in the first century, the elders or bishops or pastors (where such exist) plan and oversee the overall program of work. Organization is not truly scriptural as relating to the elders until these three conditions exist:
(1). The men appointed as bishops are scripturally qualified (1 Timothy 3:1-7) ;
(2). These men actually fulfill their God-given responsibilities;
(3). The congregation maintains a proper relationship to them (Hebrews 13:17).
Long have the qualifications been emphasized, and so they should be—the standards must never be lowered. But it is not always that elders have been taught to understand that they are indeed “bishops” or “overseers”, and that as such they have the God-given responsibility to “feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). As overseers they are to be the final voice of authority or of decision in matters of judgment as they watch over activities within the realm of both material and spiritual things. Many details may be assigned to the deacons, but the ultimate direction comes from the elders. How important it is, then, that they be conservative men in faith—so that the faithfulness of the church may be preserved. But how necessary it is, too, that they be men of vision, initiative, aggressiveness. It is to be regretted that often a congregation of people, eager to be at work, must actually try to prod the elders into some semblance of industrious leadership. Happy sign it is that more and more elders are becoming overseers, and that they are coming to understand that overseeing includes planning and pushing as well as it does watching over that which “just happens”.
These same men, the elders, are the pastors of the congregation. Wrote the apostle Peter, “Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will Jof God; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). The seriousness of this responsibility is emphasized in Hebrews 13:17—“They watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account.” How many elders do you know who are really pastors? It is possible that the evangelists are pastors in everything but name? Here is one of the most productive fields of all church activity, but definite plans must be made by the pastors if they are to serve with diligence in this realm. The deacons, too, must meet the qualifications laid down in Holy Writ (1 Timothy 3:8-13)—being appointed after they have proved themselves, and not in order to inspire them to faithfulness in the Lord’s work. “Deacon” means “servant”, and it is exactly in this capacity that he labors. All too often deacons have as much authority in business meetings as do the elders—in fact, majority vote gives them more when there are more deacons present than elders. You know what I am talking about. If there is any value in having men of age, experience, and wisdom for congregational leadership—and there is, for this is the divinely ordained pattern—then the elders must indeed be bishops of the flock. On the other hand, happy is the situation when the most cordial relationship exists between the elders and deacons, where mutual confidence and trust exist, where the two groups work together in their given spheres as beloved brethren where most of the meetings can be held jointly, where the elders take with them some of the deacons even in matters of church counsel, discipline, etc. So it is, also, with the work of an evangelist. His is a distinct work— contrary to statements of brethren who insist there is no difference between the “clergy” and the “laity”. Certainly these are not scriptural terms, but the idea that an evangelist is distinct from one who is not an evangelist is as scriptural as is the idea that elders are distinct from those who are not. True, in a general sense everyone who preaches is an evangelist, but in a specific sense the one who devotes his life to this work is so designated: “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). One who is an evangelist in this specific sense is distinct from those who teach in a general way, just as an elder in the specific sense is distinct from those who are elders in a general way because of age. Evangelists work, and scripturally so, with the elders in the spiritual development of the congregation. They are not just paid deacons who serve in the ministry of preaching at the beck or call of the bishops. On the other hand, always will they recognize the need for working under the oversight of godly men of wisdom who are the congregation. Never will they so bend the outline of planned activities as to make them-selves the focal point of all. If this happens, the evan-gelists soon become the errand boys of the church, ex-pensive church secretaries, and the very heart of their ministry is neglected, “Give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13). If the program is properly organized, then the work won’t come to a standstill when the evangelists are away from home in meetings or when they move to other fields of labor.
Assigned Responsibilities
Woven into the outlined program of work will be all teachers of the word, all men and women who will serve in various capacities. Thus, opportunities are provided for individual activity and experience which will help assure spiritual growth. Moreover, this is making sure that certain work is done in the very best way, in quality of service. It is making sure that outlined objectives are met. It is determining that the most good will be accomplished in the name of the Lord for the present and for generations to come. Brethren, PLAN THE WORK. Prayerfully, aggressively plan the work so that the most good can be accomplished in the shortest period of time, plan the work so that the most good can be accomplished for the longest period of time. Look to the days immediately ahead, and look a century and more ahead. Actually this won’t be as difficult as you might suppose. Come together with the specific purpose of outlining the work that should be done in the realization of long range objectives. When you have, ascertained what needs to be done, then make specific assignments to various members of the congregation. As was true in Acts 6, definite responsibilities will be given certain members of the church, with particular emphasis upon the deacons as servants. Perhaps a visit to a number of working congregations will enable you to get a better grasp of the “how” of distribution of work within, the realm of detail work. Definite responsibilities can be outlined under separate headings; for example, preaching, teaching, assembly services, benevolence, buildings and grounds, finance. And elders, please don’t explain congregational inactivity by saying, “Oh, we can’t find members who are willing to accept these assignments.” In our day that is an exception to ihe rule, and even where it exists positive teaching and motivation will bring about an early change. In large part, the failure is back at the source—where there should be positive planning. “Oh, but such would take hours of time every week.” How right you are!
Under each of the major activities groupings can be a dozen or more specific projects for which individual members will be responsible. For example, within the realm of benevolence alone there are a number of possibilities. Remember, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from ithe foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was How is this need to be met in a specific way? Here is a deacon in charge of general benevolence. It is his responsibility, with the cooperation of his group, to look Here is a lady who sees that flowers are sent to the sick and to the bereaved. A little thing—but, oh, not so little. Money wasted? So thought Judas when Mary anointed Jesus with an expensive ointment, but the Master sa'id, “She hath wrought a good work on me” (Mark 14:6). Many times the emotional needs of people are of greater importance than their physical needs. So the church must serve in the spirit of both Martha, preparing nourishing meals, and Mary, anointing the troubled with kindness. Here is a deacon in charge of visitation and care of the sick. What is the duty of his group? To visit the sick—yes, that. But more than that—truly to “visit” in the scriptural sense, which means more than “go see”. Made available to those who are sick are hospital beds, wheel chairs, crutches, electric fans, and other incidentals to health and comfort. Available, too, is a chore of volunteer nurses (male and female) who sit by the bedside of the sick 24 hours a day for weeks at a time when necessary. Also, there is a card file of bloor donors, a permanent record of bloor types available, of time of previous calls, etc. “You mean the church does all of this?” Yes, the church does all of this—easily, smoothly, and without the minister being called upon to make all the arrangements to meet such needs. Still another group has charge of serving meals to families in which there is sickness or death. Another is held responsible for boxing and getting into the mails good used clothes for shipment to needy areas. Then, there are special projects such as daily Bible reading at the Community Home (home for aged), food and gifts to the Crippled Children’s School, clothes for orphans in one of the Homes for Homeless Children. There appears to be no end to service which can be rendered within the field of benevolence alone —if you will sit down to study and plan. Members want something to do? Here is something they can and will do. Or, consider the tremendous responsibility of reach-ing the community with the gospel of Christ. There are opportunities yet untouched within the fields of personal work, preaching, publications, cottage meetings, and a number of other things. Do you really sense that the church is being “felt” in your community, in your city? It can be—when there is concerted effort upon a planned basis. Or, consider the matter of keeping the congregation a closely-knit family of brethren who know each other, love each other, and serve the Lord faithfully. What can be done to assure regularity in attendance, faithfulness in morals, etc.? One plan that is used successfully is that of zoning the entire area surrounding the congregration, be it city or community, and having some member (usually a lady) in each zone, specifically appointed to encourage such faithfulness. In this arrangement, the elders have a card file listing every member in every zone. Periodically they call every zone chairman and task every person in each zone. Follow up is then made where necessary—the pastors of the flock working diligently to “admonish the dis-orderly, encourage the fainthearted” (1 Thessalonians 5:14), to restore the erring (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). No member is ever simply dropped from the roll because of non-attendance; either the disciple returns to the work of the Lord, or else (after weeks of exhortation and prayer) public announcement is made that he has fallen away from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Or, here is another effective method which can be employed. Under the direction of the elders, the deacon is responsible for some ten families, visiting in their homes several times during the year. These families are brought together periodically for periods of social fellowship, for Bible study in the home, and all watch for the others in matters of sickness, attendance, etc. Earnest exhortation is made to the end that every member will attend service of the church— Bible classes, Lord’s day assemblies, midweek devo- tionals, and protracted meetings. Explanations are made of the entire program of work to the end that every member will feel a warm personal relationship to the work and to every other member. These groups are changed from year to year so that cliques will not be formed within the congregation. It is understood, of course, that the deacons keep in very close touch with the elders and evangelist in this work, and that help is provided in every way possible. Having touched upon a few of the many fields of endeavor, surely you can see the possibilities in the many different realms of congregational activity. Let 'it be remembered, again, that the starting point is periodic meetings for planning, praying, and planning some more. “Oh, but will this work? What if those given specific assignments don’t do the work given them?” Certainly some attention will have to be given by the elders and others to seeing that success is assured. It is one thing to plan the work, and it is another to work the plan. This, however, will be a smaller problem than you might Making the Plan Work Motivating Individual Activity Service in Love Only then will there be true unselfishness of service—even to the washing of the feet of the saints. Example of Others Faith in God “Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Having exercised real care in the selection of those upon whom certain specific responsibilities have been placed, here are a few keys that will open the door to success: accountability, information, enthusiasm. At the very outset, be sure that proper emphasis is placed upon the matter of accountability. This insists that time be taken personally or in letters to explain the importance of the work to the person who is intrusted with it. “Intrusted” is a good word. Surely you know the tremendous motivating power of trust and confidence. One can fail; his brethren trust him, depend upon him. This, coupled with the encouragement of genuine expressions of appreciation, will cause the disciple to give his all in devotion of service. He will not fail. Of great importance to success, also, is the matter of INFORMATION. A program, though having its origin with the elders, will go much further when understood by the membership. It becomes “our program” instead of the “program of the elders”. Moreover, in the overall program of activity, the church that is informed will be the church that works most vigorously. The weekly bulletin, though edited at considerable cost in both time and dollars, is about the best medium for keeping every member up to date concerning every phase of the work. The greatest value will be received when the bulletin is mailed to each family of the congregation—to be received on Friday or Saturday. This same bulletin does far less good as a medium for teaching non-Christians than it does in informing and exhorting those who are members. When mailed to each family, such information is received even though there may be sickness in the home which prohibits attendance, or even though a visit has been made outside the city on Lord’s day. Other important publications may be an annual or semi-annual membership directory, a yearbook outlining the program of work for the year, and a monthly bulletin containing reports from mission points being supported by the congregation. Thus, the work of the church relates to people, to living souls, and not only to totals in dollars and attendance. Needless to say, these principles will find fruition in dollars and numbers—as will be discussed by other speakers during the Lec-tureship program. The third key is ENTHUSIASM. In fact, often vigor of activity depends as much upon this one thing as anything else. Have you ever been part of a congregation where the elders or the preacher expressed the thought, “This is a h-a-r-d place; just can’t convert any of these folk. Brethren are worldly minded; can’t get them to do a thing. This is a h-a-r-d place.” Yes indeed, it is a hard place. Or, have you assisted in a meeting where the local evangelist said upon your arrival, “We just don’t have any interest in meetings, somehow. And, as there are no prospects, don’t expect much in the way of responses.” Of course, he was right. Just a few days ago while visiting in the hospital comment was made concerning the beauty ’of the blossoms on the plum trees. Said one dear lady, “Just know we’ll have a late freeze and kill every one.” Ah, but no. What a wonderful plum harvest we can expect this year! Or, maybe the general feeling is something like that of a brother who cheers a sick friend by saying, “Cheer up, ole top. Enjoy yourself now, for things are going to get much worse later on.” Or, is it the spirit of the dear sister who said to her friend in the hospital, “I hope you’ll get well.” In contrast to this, remember this motto which hung as a scroll in General MacArthur’s headquarters throughout the Second World War: “You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul:” Brethren, there is no harder task in church leadership than that of always maintaining a positive, dynamic personality that radiates enthusiasm! In the courage and vigor of the apostle Paul, when he had reached his three score years of age, feel and practice, “One thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Php_3:13-14).
Having studied at length about the matter of con-gregational activity, let a few minutes be given to a few observations relative to motivating individual activity. After all, group activity is dependent upon in-dividual participation. It should be emphasized that a disciple has not truly learned the spirit of the Christ until his is active in Christian service in addition to assignment. If you do only that which you are told to do, if you sit idly by until you are given an assignment, you have much to learn. What are some of the motivations to devotion of service? You know to do good, you actually want to do good, but you need some spark to set you on your way and to keep you working without growing weary in well doing.
There is no greater motive, no stronger impulse to service than that of love. In fact, it has always been God’s purpose that men should serve him through love. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and with all thy mind . . . And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39—this is the very heart of Christian service. Even in the matter of giving of your means, the apostle Paul taught, “I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love” (2 Corinthians 8:8). Pity it is that those who have been freed from the bondage of the law of Moses (Galatians 3:15-29) should spend many years in the service of Christ with only a consciousness of the law of duty. “Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:23) is but a pleasant passage to read. As a Christian it is, “How much MUST I give? How often MUST I attend services? MUST I keep from doing this? Must I do this?” Such is duty to be performed, nothing more, and how far beneath the lofty impulse of service through love. To have a vivid illus-tration of this principle, read again the story of the Samaritan who stopped to help a wounded man even though he might not have been expected to (Luke 10:30-42). What was the difference between this man and the priest and the Levite who had passed? The fundamental difference is to be found in this one word: COMPASSION. Of the Samaritan Jesus said, “When he saw him, he was moved with compassion” (v. 33). Here was love—a general love, for there is no reason to suppose the Samaritan knew the man who had been robbed—but a warm, compassionate sensitiveness to the needs of others. This great motivating power must be developed and nurtured in the lives of members of the church. “Soft-soap” labels have too long kept ministers of the gospel from dealing as they should with this theme; or is it that there is so little real acquaintance with the principle? Don’t forget these words so vibrant with this truth: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 13:3). Would you see the difference between service of duty and service of love? A nurse sits by the bedside of a child that is ill. She is concerned about it, but there is nothing really personal about the matter. Engaged at a certain wage for a certain number of hours she leaves at the appointed hour without too much thought as to what the following hours may bring. This is service of contract. But here is the same nurse sitting by another bed, a bed in which lies her suffering little girl. All day and all night she ministers. There is no thought of pay, no consideration of rest, no consciousness of personal sacrifice. This is a service of love. Or consider again: How do you feel about the kind-ness you can extend the mother who gave so much for you years ago? The wife who has given so much of herself for you? The doctor who saved your life? The gospel preacher who baptized you into Christ? Yours is the response of gratitude, the response of love. Only when you come to this point in your service for Christ will there be “stretching forward” and genuine delight in that service.
“Father, where shall I work today?”
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then he pointed me out a tiny spot And said, “Tend that for me.”
I answered quickly, “Oh, no, not that.
Why, no one would ever see No matter how well my work was done.
Not that little place for me.”
The word he spoke, it was not stern;
He answered tenderly,
“Little one, search that heart of thine;
Art thou working for them or me?
Nazareth was a little place
And so was Galilee.”
—Meade McGuire. And if you prefer the little place, the quiet place, perhaps you need to learn:
I said, “Let me walk in the fields.”
God said, “No, walk in the town.”
I said, “There are no flowers there.”
He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”
I said, “But the sky is black.
There is smoke and bustle and din.”
He wept as he brought me back
And said, “There is more; there is sin.”
Another tremendous impulse to service is to be found in viewing what others have done in their devotion of service to Christ. “Oh, but that has nothing to do with imy service. I am supposed to do all I can within my capacity.” Agreed. And surely it is understood that all of the suggestions concerning congregational activity take into consideration differences in capacities of congregations. The table displays arranged for this lectureship program were not prepared in the spirit of pride or arrogance. Comparisons between congregations can never be made purely upon a basis of total membership. Each body should resolve to do all it can within the scope of its opportunities and capacities—and that is a big order. So it is with the individual’s responsibility before Christ. But, congregations and individual members will learn to evaluate their capacities higher when they consider what others have done and are doing. It was in this very vein of thought that Paul wrote the church of God in Corinth, “Your zeal hath stirred up very many of them” (2 Cor, 9:2), even as he endeavored to stir up the zeal of the Corinthians by telling them about the brethren in Macedonia who had given “beyond their power” (2 Corinthians 8:3). Ah, yes, you learn something about talking to others about the Christ when you see the persecution of the early disciples because they would not keep from telling the good news (Acts 5:40-42; Acts 8:1-3). You learn something about evaluation of your prosperity and about liberality in giving when you observe the early disciples selling their possessions in order to meet an emergency in Jerusalem (Acts 2:45; Acts 4:34-37). And you learn something about zeal and devotion in witnessing the fervor of Christians in the church of the Lord today. What about that eighteen year old boy in a Port Arthur church who gave a check for $1,000.00 to the building fund—money he had saved for years working after school and during the summer months—money which was to have gone to the purchasing of a family automobile for a family of six which didn’t have one (and which didn’t even own an electric refrigerator)— money which could have been used for a college education? Can you look at that without thinking of your own giving? What about those godly men and women who tear up stakes at home to cross the oceans, or who go to distant places in our own nation, to preach the gospel of Christ— rearing their children in strange circumstances, burying their dead in a foreign land? Can you look at that without some doubts piling up in your heart concerning your own zeal and devotion? Yes, it does you good to see what others are doing.
And don’t forget the great motivating power of absolute faith in the heavenly Father. Will such con-fidence help you in reaching out much farther than you ever have before? Indeed it will. This is decidedly more than a purely psychological matter. You CAN do more because your Father is working with you. Every plan that is made is made only after consulting the guidance of the heavenly Father, and then in the execution of that plan you have God’s companionship. “Working together with him” (2 Corinthians 6:1) is the very heart of Christian courage and aggressiveness. How little you are, and how little you will remain— individual or congregation—so long as you leave God out of your plans. “Working together” with brethren will produce wonderful results, but “working together with HIM” will produce truly astounding results. Why? Because this is your God, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21). The Glorified Church
Truly, the church is no refrigerator in which to pre-serve the piety of the members (although holiness of life is absolutely necessary), but it is a dynamo to charge the devotions and wills of the members to power of activity. May the congregation of which you are a member so press on in the service of the Master that its faith will be “proclaimed throughout ,the whole world” (Romans 1:8). May you do all within your power to help it “abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness”, in love, and in liberality of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). May you do everything you possibly can to help it be a LOYAL church—standing fast in the faith; a GODLY church—walking in holiness of conduct; a SPIRITUAL church—serving in reverence of soul; a WARM church—responding in sympathy of heart; a HUMBLE church—kneeling in meekness of spirit; a LIVE church—growing in Christlikeness of life; a WORKING church—laboring in fervor of love; a HAPPY church—rejoicing in patience of hope. Then after a little while, you will be part of the glorified church—realizing the absolute in heaven’s love, joy and peace. “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord”— so now. “Hallelujah!”