p. 12 | The Responsibility of Church-Membership by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

The Responsibility of Church-Membership

By F. M. W.

IN the union existing between the church and each individual member, there is comprised a double responsibility: first, the responsibility of the church to aid and encourage the member in every possible way; second, the responsibility of the member to build up and strengthen the church. It is of this latter relationship we wish to speak particularly.

The responsibility of the individual member is twofold: first, in the general assistance which he shall render the church as a body, by representing its principles in his life, by sustaining its various departments, agencies, and ministries, and by contributing to its support; second, his responsibility to the individual units of the church body. This is by far the greater responsibility, and the one which will prove the real test of his faithfulness. His responsibility here consists in affording, so far as lies within his power, the same assistance and encouragement to every one of his church associates as he hopes to receive from them. In other words, it means the exercise of the spirit of earnest missionary

labor in the church itself. As our church work is organized and carried forward, this labor on the part of the individual members finds ample opportunity, and becomes a genuine necessity.

But few of our churches have settled pastors, who can devote to the church work their undivided time and energy. The elders of our churches are, for the most part, busy men, and dependent upon their labor for a livelihood; hence they have no more time or opportunity, as a rule, for spiritual work in the church than has every other member. They must, therefore, have the assistance of all their brethren in maintaining in the church that working spirit of missionary and Christian activity which insures its health and vitality; and if each member of the church will feel that he must share with the church elder in this labor, more can be accomplished than for the elder to be so situated that he could devote his entire time to the work, and thus relieve others.

To one really desiring to find such opportunities for labor, a multitude of ways might be suggested. He can call upon his brethren who are sick; he can visit the poor and the needy, and assist them in their distress; he can maintain the spirit of watchfulness for those who are discouraged or cast down. Particular attention should be given to strangers, to those who have recently united with the church, or who have recently moved into the community. A friendly call, and a hand-clasp of welcome at the church service, will do much to place them in harmony with their new environment. Among the younger members of the flock will also be afforded a rich field for personal effort. Those who live at a distance, and are obliged to absent themselves from church services, may be reached by correspondence. There needs to be in all of our churches more of this spirit of personal labor one for the other. There needs to be a coming together, a breaking down of the cold formality which exists. In some of our larger congregations, many of the members are acquainted only with those within the narrow circle of their personal friendship, and scores attend church services from Sabbath to Sabbath without finding an opportunity to become acquainted with many of their brethren and sisters in the same church.

Let us unitedly seek to break down these barriers, to banish from our hearts all coldness and indifference, and labor to enter into closer fellowship and spiritual communion. This spirit will possess holding power, and the genial warmth and Christian fellowship will cause back-sliders to return, will revive the drooping spirits, and come back into our own hearts with tenfold gladness and blessing.

Let each individual member of the church count the church-membership as a parish, and every one of his brethren the blood-bought heritage of Christ, for whom he should labor, and whom he should seek to serve. In the possession of this spirit, our churches will give to the world the evidence that God is indeed with us. F. M. W.