Ministers Blogs
“Congregational Loyalty”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesChatting with an aged physician, a surgeon, a minister queried, “Doctor, do you ever worry about the time when your fingers will lose their skill?” He paused for a moment and then replied, “No, preacher, but I do confess that at times I worry that the day may come when my heart will no longer feel the suffering of my patients.”
Limited Loyalty
A doctor is loyal to all of his patients, but loyal to them one at a time. This is what makes a good physician and keeps him in demand. There is a love we all need for all mankind. But here is also a love, a profound sense of loyalty which, if felt and absolute, clearly identified. Such as our singular love for God. Our love for the one with whom before God and man we have exchanged sacred vows. And so it is with our loyalty to the home congregation.
While we are to love the entire brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17), we are at the same time to be specifically loyal to the congregation where we have pledged our allegiance. Where we have placed our membership we have also vowed a commitment. We need to honor it. Often it is given little consideration.
Perhaps we do not think our presence will be missed-but what member do we ask to personally represent or take our place? Jesus not only is with the entire church for all time, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20) but at the same time has intimately identified with each local congregation. (Revelation 2:1) And so should we-with someone congregation and faithfully support it, feeling at home in its midst and among its many personalities.
Some members may identify in a vague sense with about every congregation in town so that wherever they “light” on Lord’s Day morning, they are always “at home.” But this is a strange marriage! The elders of a home congregation need to know they may expect loyalty and what kind of loyalty from the souls whom they oversee. But can they depend on consistent attendance? Personal presence to personally support and encourage the Bible School program? Regular and faithful contribution to the local work may go on? I as a member of a local congregation I owe so very much to those who are accountable for my eternal destiny.
Author Unknown
