Month: June 2005

Baptist Press recently ran this article about church membership. Read it and let me know what you think. Is it truly too easy?

On one hand, I see the author's point? Why should I expect a church to accept me as a member just because I "do the right thing?" As the author states:

One of the easier organizations to join is a Baptist church. Not much is required. Walk down an aisle, gently grasp the pastor’s hand, nod affirmatively at his leading questions, correctly fill out the card on the clipboard, stand before the congregation and listen to their “Amen” as the pastor asks if they are “glad you have come today.” As one who once was a church member before becoming a Christian, I am aware that it is quite possible to join some churches without being a follower of Christ.

On the other hand, does the body have this right? The only person who knows if I am saved or not is the Almighty God. How can men judge that?

Right now, I'm undecided but leaning towards the "proving" part…at least in some basic way. I should have to demonstarte to my brothers and sisters that I should be allowed to join them. They should know me before they allow me to join. If they don't know me, how can they vote up or down? And, as God says: 

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

—Luke 6:44

This Baptist Press article talks about the "Glory days" of the SBC. That brings up an interesting question. What made them the Glory Days? It certanly wasn't money given. It wasn't a lack of disagreement. It wasn't the Conservative Resurgance. While those things were good, the author makes the point that it was because of "Souls! Souls! Souls!"

I happen to agree with him. Christians, WAKE UP! There is a world of lostness out there! We have the answer! We need to love and care for these people enough to "Go Tell!" (Interestingly enough, in the early 1980's an evangelist came to our church in Beeville and preached a crusade entitled that same thing. I think it was Mr. Gage.)

Church, we don't need more programs. We don't need more this or more that. We need more people who CARE about the lostness of people. Go look at these IMB pictures of lost people in the world and tell me they don't need Jesus.

In my opinion dead orthodoxy has created a lack of passion for souls in our pulpits. The battle for the Bible has been won. The battle for souls has not begun.

Church, we need to start that fight! We need to get in the ring! Stand up! Be counted! Care for a lost and dying world!