Church Membership

Q. I have recently been called to preach at non denominational church that does not believe in the security of the believer. I do of course. From my discussions with Church Elders we agree on all biblical doctrine except this one. Because of this one point the last Pastor resigned after preaching for a year because he believed in a once saved always saved doctrine. It seems this was a hidden belief between the church membership and the pastor. I have over time preached Sunday mornings at this Church when a replacement was needed and enjoyed the opportunity given by God to read and speak His word. Now they want to call me to Preach only as an interim. This is a lovely country Church with about 100 regular members of which my wife has become attached. It is a reminder of both our child hood roots growing up in a small country Churches. With all of this said my question is this. Can a man lead by God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ enter into a bond with a Church when there is a major difference in doctrinal belief? In Christ Richard

A. Well Richard, the first verses that come to my heart are 2nd Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

This really isn't the problem though. These people are not unbelievers as such, but are those who do not believe that the Lord can keep that which is commited unto him against that day. Here is where you have been given the opportunity to reason with them. The Bible says that the Lord wants to reason with us over our sin. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. You will have the opportunity to reason with them as God intended. Do you want to miss out on an open door that God has given you?

Timothy

Q. A friend of mine is having financial problems and can't tythe like they would want to in the church. Normally I don't think that is a problem but the people at the Baptist Church they attend thinks that it is a problem. The church seems to require each member to report how much they are tything and my friend and her husband just don't have the money to tythe. They put in what they can but it is making the other church members mad because they don't put in as much as the others. Is this right? [Mrs. C.]

A.  Here is an event given from the Bible Mrs. C. Mark 12:41: And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Those people who are focusing on your friends are forgetting this story and probably haven't read the following scriptures: Phillipians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

There is one other lesson the Lord had to teach Peter before He left to be with the Father: John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

In other words we are to MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS in such matters!!!

[Timothy]

Q. Parson, Why is it not acceptable to be just a Christian in many churches today? Or, why is it that so many churches have a "membership" with "membership requirements"? I recently read in a church paper that to be a member you had to complete an application form and to submit to two interviews to be considered. What is the Biblical support for this kind of behavior? Thank you, [Mike]

A. Really??? Thats interesting. Are you sure this wasn't a country club newsletter you were reading? If you'll read Acts: chapter 2, you'll see that it wasn't man adding to the Church, it was the Lord! Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Not trying to be too critical, I would venture to say that these folks are trying to be careful who enters their membership rolls. There is nothing wrong with that if the task is completed in faith and trust in God. What would be wrong is not trusting that God will protect them from any wolves that tried to enter the sheepfold. 2nd Corinthians 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

[Timothy]