A BETTER CHURCH

Greetings beloved in the name of the Lord!

We pray for Gods leading and that He would speak to us, or give us a sign, but how often do we find ourselves actually listening for His reply. From the Psalmist we learn that “We can know His power and presence this day (and everyday), if we will but listen for His voice” (Psalm 95 paraphrased).

We should be listening for the way God speaks to us through the breeze and through the rain, through the voice of a friend and the laughter of a child, and through a thousand other ways.

But we also should learn to listen for and to recognize the voice of God within us as well.

Recently I was approached by an acquaintance that was having problems with his family. He asked for my advice on how he could have a better home-life. I simply told him that if one wants a better home, then he must be a better family member. Sounds like some really good advice, and it is, but I can’t take credit for it. It’s the Golden Rule; “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

It’s truly amazing how God can work through us to edify another, and yet speak something so profound to our hearts. Time after time throughout the day His words invaded my thoughts “…whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

Later while having dinner with my family, my sister was complaining about the mistakes our new President and our government had made. She said that hard working, taxpaying citizens deserve better. I responded by saying that “If we want a better government, then we must be better citizens, which means also taking responsibility for the people we vote into office. Anything, including our government is only as good as the totality of its parts. If all the parts that make up the whole are good, fair and reliable then the whole itself is good, fair and reliable. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Following dinner, my wife and I sometimes share conversation over a cup of coffee, and this evening we found ourselves discussing the state of our churches. We spoke of the dangers of the “Emergent Church” (although, I don’t know how the Church could emerge any further from what Christ has already brought forth), Seeker-sensitive churches, the abdication of Christian responsibility, the cave in of Christian courage, and how Christians today are afraid to stand up for God’s truth . As we talked, the words of St. Paul concerning a strong church came to mind; “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). The "effective working" mentioned in this verse is according to the ability of all the parts together, each one contributing their best, since all the members have differing talents. When each part of this process is observed, it results in the increase or the growth of the body. And, the church will be built up in love and truth for her Head and for one another as members (Romans 12:17-21).

And so I said to my wife; “You know honey… if we want better churches then we need to be better church members. If every Christian would consider God and one another before himself in all things, then there would be better churches. Our Lord died for the church and He only wants the best for it, therefore each member must be the best they can be so that the church can be the best she can be.

If our congregations are going to be better congregations then each one of the members must realize his /her importance. They must realize that each one is important no matter what they do! The Lord is depending on us to do our part. The Lord is depending on each one of us clergy and laity alike to help our congregations to grow and function.

May our all-loving Heavenly Father help us to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, and ready to help others (Ephesians 4:31,32; Galatians 6:1,2). Let each one of us help our congregations by building them up instead of tearing them down and criticizing what they’re trying to do.

Furthermore, the best ways one can help their congregation is by guarding their daily life against sin and against doing or saying anything that would bring shame and reproach upon the church for which our Lord and Savior died (Ephesians 5:15).

Friends, the time to begin building a better church is now! Without sacrificing the truth of God and His Word, may we become one and be joined together in the same mind, the same judgment, and the same purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10).

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

God’s blessings be with you, and may your joy be full!

I remain your faithful servant in Christ,

+Ernest A. Ross