“I Just Don’t Feel A Part…”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesWe all have heard it said many times down through the years, and it is always a disappointing thing. It should never be said by a child of God! He/she was added to the church by the Lord himself (Acts 2:47) upon obedience to the gospel. Wherever that Christian goes, duty demands placing membership with a local congregation, and thus becoming a part of that group of people. In the church, and thus a part; in a congregation, and thus a part.
As to “feeling a part,” the attention of others might help a bit, but primarily the person himself has the larger responsibility. Some members arrive late, enter in speedily with a dash to a pew, and depart before the “Amen” finishes echoing in the building. They meet no one, greet no one, participate in nothing in the way of congregational work, and hardly learn the name of a single soul. One month after placing membership, they do not feel a part, but that will be true two years from now, unless there is an effort to change. Remember the great statement from Solomon, so appropriate here? – “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24). Back to the topic, and a sum point: If I want to feel a part of the work, I can easily accomplish that. Faithfulness and participation takes care of it, if one, for God, can spare the time!
THE SOUTHWESTERNER, May 3, 1989