THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
Job descriptions and work
ethics are all important parameters that need to be met in any endeavor,
government, commercial, family or individual, if that entity hopes to progress
or even continue to exist. As relates to the Church of our Lord, the same rules
apply as is borne out in numerous Scriptures, such as in Matthew 3:10; And now also the axe is laid unto the
root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire. Such warnings as this and others
like it should awaken the leadership of our churches to make sure that they and
their people are being fruitful in God’s Kingdom.
But
how are they to be sure that they are meeting their “Job Description” and “Work
Ethic”? The Bible has all the answers, and it will behoove each individual and
responsible Church leader to make sure that they are in God’s will concerning
this “Work of the Church”.
As
an observer and having been in leadership roles in the Church, we believe that
we know there is a severe problem with not only the “job Description”, but also
the “Work Ethic”. The idea of fruitfulness has come to mean that the fellowship
is not exceeding their budget and that the membership is not decreasing. Also
it is felt important that all the members have something that they enjoy
participating in with regard to the standard list of religious and social
activities usually provided in churches that are keeping pace with the most
successful congregations. Also, as far as ethics is concerned, various
committees are formed to be sure that all programs are properly carried out,
especially as regards treatment of visitors, the main hope for church growth.
Of
course none of the above could be carried out without proper leadership
training and proven programs passed along from the denomination’s advice group.
Frequent seminars are also used to enhance Pastor and leaders’ competence. The
depth of this communication is hard to measure because it is ever changing and
always being reviewed for prospects of further “improvement”. This “ethics”
process has the effect of showing everyone as being very busy about the Lord’s
work, “The Work Of the Church”.
But
is all this really the work of the Our Lord’s Church? we will quickly exclaim,
“No, indeed not!” What then is the work? Simply, reproduction. There is
absolutely no growth of the least element of creation without reproduction.
Males and females unite to bring forth their young, whether they are humans,
animals, fish, plants, or any such.
Church
growth comes from the Lord’s sheep bringing forth more sheep through the Gospel
of Christ, the Bride of Christ reaching out to mankind of the world to bring
forth another child of God. This is the work of the Christian. The work of the
Church is to bring forth another Church through a common goal of the members
with their desire to reach into another neighborhood of their community, or
another country.
How
many churches today have members working with leadership to form another
church, but instead work hard to make their church grow as large as they can,
all the time saying that they are not impressed with numbers, but with souls.
Yet there are none evangelizing either in their neighborhood or across town. Rather,
their excuse is that they are contributing to the church which is taking care
of all this with Missionaries sent to win souls.
According
to recent statistics there has been a drastic reduction in baptisms over the
past few decades. Do you wonder as I do how all this is viewed by our Lord? I am the vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing. If a man
abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:5-6 AV) If one abides
in the Lord, and He in him, he will bear much fruit. If one is not bearing much
fruit it is evident that he is not abiding in the Lord, and will be cast forth
and burned. If a church is not bearing much fruit then that church is not
abiding in the Lord, and is not one of His Churches and will burn on that day
of judgment.
It
is well past time for churches that are not
producing other churches to repent and get to work by sending members
and elders into the local field and seeking out a place that needs a Church because of their poor living condition and lack of the knowledge of God through the Gospel of
Christ., and by sending out helpers
with food and clothing for the needs of those to whom the Lord has sent them.
For the individual, give your tithe, time and prayers to the “Work of the
Church” with love for the lost. and with your sacrificial offering, food for
the hungry and the gospel for the lost..