A Note From The Pastors:

COMMITMENT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST

What Do We Expect From Our Members?

We praise God for those who have come forth and been made a part of our church family. You have received many important facts about our church, such as our church history, vision, and ministries. However, this last section is the most critical to the life, health and operation of the church.

We must all realize that a church is made up of men, women, boys and girls. The church can and will be effective to the degree that our people commit themselves to see that its vision is carried out. The words of my God which was good upon me; as the King's words that he has spoken unto me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build". So they strengthened their hands for this good work" (Nehemiah 2:18). This is our church and we believe that it is a good work that God has raised up. We are asking God to strengthen your hands so that you, too, can rise up with us and do the work that God has called us to do. In the following paragraphs, you can know how you can participate in the life of this church. Praise God!

What is Meant by "Commitment To The Body of Christ?

Every Christian is expected to make a commitment to the local church they attend. This commitment includes:

• Regular attendance at church meetings....

After we have become members of the Universal Church through the new birth, we join ourselves to a local church by submitting to those whom God has put in leadership and by following the local church's rules for becoming a member. God has purposed that we are joined to the Body of Christ come together in the local assembly where we may know each other and share each others joys and burdens.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb. 10:25)

• Regular giving of tithes and offerings for the support of the local church and its ministries....

A tithe is a tenth. It is the portion that belongs to God.

"And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord." (Lev. 27:30)

An offering is a gift to the work of God that is beyond the tithe. It is a free will contribution to support a special need or person or to express thanks.   Jesus taught that the most important part of giving is the attitude of our heart. He taught:

1. That clinging to earthly wealth can make us lose out in eternal wealth (Luke 12:33, 34)
2. We should not giving expecting to be rewarded by men (Matt. 6:1).
3. We are not to keep more than we need but are to share what we have (Luke 3:11).
4. Giving in genuine sacrifice pleases God more than much wealth given without meaning (Mark 12: 43, 44).
5. Giving is a much a part of serving God as prayer and fasting (Matt. 6:3, 5, 16).
6. Our giving is the measure of what we can receive (Luke 6:38).

• Regular prayer support for the church leaders and members....

Praying together unifies the people of God. Praying together was one of the most important activities of the early Church. Only as we pray together does God bring us into one accord by the Spirit, uniting our hearts and giving us power with God.

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

• Using our natural and spiritual gifts for the growth and development of the local church....

Our natural gifts are born in us. However, most of us do not recognize our natural gifts. We have little, if any, idea of what we were born to do best, or how we can truly express ourselves and live lives that give us inner satisfaction and a feeling of self-fulfillment. Because natural gifts or aptitudes are born in us, they too are gifts from God, given to us in love and with free will to be used as we see fit. The Holy Spirit's gifts are given to believers to help them discover, develop and enhance their natural gifts, to extend the work of Christ on earth.

The Holy spirit adds the missing dimension of charisma to our natural aptitudes, to make us successful in our work and effective witnesses for Christ. When we combine our natural gifts and our spiritual gifts they have a dual purpose: Our natural aptitudes are enriched and develop into fulfilling careers, and our spiritual life develops correspondingly, making us effective witnesses for Christ on the job, in our classes and in our homes. As these abilities unfold, spiritual callings and ministries become evident and fruitful.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)

• Showing charity and hospitality where it is needed....

The only way the love within us is shown to others is by what we do. Compassion is shown by taking care of our brother's needs.

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (I John 3:17, 18)

We should love the brethren with complete self-giving just as Christ loved us.

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (I John 3:16)

• Living a God-fearing life, above reproach, so the church has a good report from them within and those outside the local church....

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1,2).

 

LOVE-PASS IT ON!

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