My Responsibility to the Church

“And let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near? (NLT).

 

We have many responsibilities to our fellow believers, the members of the Church, the body of Christ.  We are His representation here on earth, but before we can minister to the world, we need to minister to each other and make certain that we are healthy spiritually, physically, and mentally.  Gathering together is the only way in which we will know if someone needs help, or even who can provide help.  Soon after Peter’s message that resulted in 3000 people accepting Jesus, we are told that “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer” (Acts 2:42 NIV).  I don’t believe this passage means that the entire 3000 did this together, but that they gathered in groups in order to learn, to pray for each other, to fellowship, and to share meals together.   Sometimes I think that we do the last, share meals, most eagerly.  In any case, it is of great importance that we frequently share time, concerns, ideas, question, and food with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  These informal times supply a lot of glue that holds the church together.  I’ve learned a lot during these informal times of discussion--different interpretations or emphases from a sermon or passage of Scripture.  It is my responsibility to add whatever I can to these discussions.  

It is easy to be intimidated by some who speak often or forcibly, but I may have an interpretation or understanding that some others have missed, and by not speaking, I deprive them of it.  If our hearts and minds are open to the Holy Spirit, He will give us insight.  I believe that to encourage discussion, the Holy Spirit does not give the same insight to everyone.  That is part of His ministry—to build relationships within the body.

Galatians 6:2, 10 tells us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ….Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to the family of believers” (NIV).   By frequent fellowship we will learn of the needs of others, and we will have the opportunity to help.  As fellowship draws us closer, we may recognize a need that someone is reluctant to share with all, but perhaps will respond to a personal offer of help.  Someone’s special skill may be just what is needed to solve the problem.

Receiving instruction from those God has placed over us, those who have chosen to serve Him in a ministerial position, is vital to our growth in the Lord.  It also gives us the opportunity to knit together as God’s creation, the Church, His representative in the world today.  Meeting together gives us opportunity to learn about and participate in the particular mission of our church.  Impetus to go beyond the church into the community is given as we gather.   It is our responsibility to respond to the call of God on our church any way that we can.

God created the Church.  Let us honor Him by fulfilling our responsibility to the Church.