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..

WTL Ministry  2 - 25 – 2003      wwww.wtlministry.org      Help Us Link: http://www.wtlministry.org/invitationtohelp.htm