According to the Bible all of humanity is divided into only two spiritual categories, you are either a saint or you are an “aint”. You are either a saved, born again, follower of Jesus Christ or you are not.

Matthew 12:30  He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

If you would like to know more about salvation, please follow this link:

Understanding-Salvation.pdf (missionchurchlex.org)

If you have trusted Christ today, please let me know at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

I would love to pray with you and send you some discipleship materials to help you grow spiritually.

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ ^[a]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

If you would like to know more about church membership, please follow this link:

Understanding-Church-Membership-1.docx (live.com)

If you would like to discuss church membership, please let me know at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

I would love to pray with you and send you some materials.

Just as all of humanity is divided into only two spiritual categories, members of a church can basically be divided into two categories, church pillars and church caterpillars. Some church members stand spiritually tall and strong while others… well not so much…  If you were to honestly evaluate yourself and your church membership, do you think you would be a pillar or a caterpillar? If you are not sure or want to know how to be a strong church member, please continue reading!

 

1- Church Pillars are church members who attend faithfully

A man rolled over in bed on a Sunday morning and lamented to his wife. “I don’t want to go to church today”. The wife responded, “Why would you not want to go to church today dear”. He sleepily said, “because the music it too loud, the building is too cold, the people are not too friendly, and the preaching is too boring”. The wife said, “but it’s important for you to attend, you have to go honey”. The man curtly said, “just give me one good reason I should go”. She gently reminded him, “because you are the pastor”.

 

We all need the church… and the church needs us. I call this the “ministry of presence”. Just being there is a blessing to others (not least of all your pastor!). Just showing up doesn’t necessarily mean you are growing up, but it is a very good indicator. There is something special and powerful about knowing that you are going to be able to see, to sit with, to sing with, to serve with, and to respond to the sermon with your church family, week in and week out! We must always keep in mind that our attendance at church is not just about what we get out of it, but our church attendance is also for the glory of God and the good other others!

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

Pause and Ponder: If every church member was just as faithful in attendance as you are what kind of church would we have? Do you find or make excuses to not attend worship, Bible study, small groups, or is church attendance a top priority for you and your family?

 

2- Church Pillars are church members who encourage intentionally

Mark Twain once quipped, “I can live two months on a good compliment”. The truth is we all enjoy an “atta boy or atta girl” from people who love and care about us. Life can be very hard and discouraging. Everybody needs to hear some encouraging words and verbal support. This kind of affirmation is rare in our community or in corporate America, but it should be commonplace within our church. It does not cost us anything to use our words to build people up instead of using our words to tear them down.

 

Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that ^[a]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

 

Encouragement is not mere flattery or simply being nice by telling people what they want to hear. Encouragement is always honest and sincere. Encouragement commends those who are serving well, and it urges those who are struggling in their walk with the Lord. A church member who is intentional about using their words (spoken and written) to encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ are a tremendous blessing.

 

Pause and Ponder: How can you be a “minster of encouragement”? What are some simple, practical and tangible ways you can encourage your church family starting today?

 

3- Church Pillars are church members who forgive willingly

If you ever find a perfect church do not go there because you will ruin it as soon as you enter into it. The reality is, there are no perfect churches because there are no perfect Christians. Churches are full of people who still sin and will still hurt you in the process. They will say harsh things, they will be selfish, they will gossip, they will lie… none of these things are acceptable and all of these must be addressed in a truth and grace giving matter but… they will occur. As a church Pillar you will have to be able to forgive willingly.

 

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

Just one or two church members who harbor unforgiveness can hinder the unity of an entire church. Christians have the same potential for relationship strife and emotional hurt as do unbelievers but… we should be able to address these issues in a Christ honoring and redemptive manner. It has often been said “to err is human but to forgive is divine”.

 

Pause and Ponder: Search your heart to ensure there is no unforgiveness lurching in the dark corners. Do you need to “release” somebody from the wrong they have committed against you? Do you need to seek forgiveness from anybody that you have wronged in word or deed?

 

In conclusion, please join me next week for “Find Your Why with Pastor D” as we look at three additional ways a church member can be a “Church Pillar”.

4- Church Pillars are church members who pray continually

5- Church Pillars are church members who serve diligently

6- Church Pillars are church members who give generously