Articles
Local Church Membership - Part 3
As disciples serving at this local congregation, let us resolve to do the following:
I Will Lead My Family In Serving The Lord Here At Wildercroft (Ephesians 6:4)
Some may not be familiar with my history, but I was raised in a Baptist home. From the time, I was 3 years old, my mother had me singing in the children’s choir. We were called “The Tiny Angels.” I still remember the faded lime-green robes we used to wear. We had choir rehearsal every week, twice a week. I enjoyed singing in the choir, except on two occasions: 1) When I was forced to lead a solo & 2) when I was 9 years old, we received new robes. They were red with white collars & these gigantic white bows attached to the collar. Even at the age of 9, I thought these robes were a bit “girly.” So, I couldn’t wait until my 10th birthday to be promoted to the Golden Youth Choir (they had nicer robes).
Once I entered high school, I decided that I didn’t want to sing in the choir anymore & I knew this would upset my mother because she loved singing in the choir & it brought joy to her heart to see her children doing the same. When I told her that I didn’t want to sing in the choir anymore, she said, “OK.” I was so relieved. As I began to walk out of the room, she asked me what I was going to do. I told her that I would just sit in the audience like everybody else. This answer was unacceptable. She told me that I had until Saturday to decide what I was going to do in service to God & start doing it that Sunday. Her reason…No child of mine will go to church & do nothing. At 14, I was making the same arguments I hear today, “But I’m at every service” or “If I’m not an Elder, Deacon, or Evangelist, then there is nothing I can do.” These answers were not good enough for momma & I am convinced that they are not good enough for Jesus either. On Saturday, I joined the Radio Ministry. A year later at age 15, I preached my first sermon, became the Chairman of the Radio ministry, became a Sunday School teacher, & hosted a TV show entitled, “Faith In Action.”
I shared this story because when I finally obeyed the gospel of Christ at age 19, it never crossed my mind to simply do nothing, or expect the local church to serve me, but I looked & served in ways I can help the church. This has helped in keeping me faithful ever since. Parents, what are we teaching our children? Saints, are we bitter or are we serving to make the church better?
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