Beauty for ashes...

"... To give them beauty for ashes..." Isaiah 61:3

When I was just eleven years old my family and I faced a tragedy that would change our lives forever. It was Sunday morning; we were not Christians and we did not attend church. Our Sunday ritual was to make our way at some point in the day to the local washateria in order to take care of our laundry needs. This particular Sunday would be unlike any other. It was the coldest winter Houston had seen in some time. Temperatures had dipped well below freezing. We arose that morning and made our way to the washateria. As we returned home and approached the turn onto our street a water hose from a fire truck was attached to a fire hydrant and running in the direction of our street. I remember my dad saying, "I wonder who's house is one fire?" Moments later the answer to his question became our devastating reality. Our home had caught fire and was almost completely destroyed. We were shell-shocked. What do you do? Where do you go? Why did this happen?

Over time some of my memories of that event have faded. After all, it was almost thirty years ago now. What has been so awesome though, is to see how God has used that tragedy for His glory! What we could not have possibly known at the time is that from that tragedy God would place my family under the influence of the Gospel. About a year later the Lord was gracious to call to my soul and I submitted my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Other family members also came to faith in Christ. I would meet the precious gem that God would give to me as my bride. I would be called to preach and surrender my life to the ministry of the Lord and so many more wonderful, awesome and incomprehensible things could be mentioned. What I have learned through the years, and what we simply could not see on that fretful, cold winter Sunday morning is that God can give beauty for ashes! I've been preaching for over twenty years now. Time has marched on and the Lord has been so good and gracious to allow me to serve Him. To God be the glory!

In the early summer of this year the Lord began to lead us down a path of transition. I would resign my pastorate in east Texas and for the first time in my life move away from the state of my birth. In July of 2016 God called and in August I began to serve as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Central, Louisiana. While somewhat anxious about the move we began the transition with a great deal of excitement... looking forward to what God was going to do in this new context of ministry. Little did we know of the disaster that was coming. Just thirteen days into my new pastoral assignment a weather system moved into the Baton Rouge area and dumped more than twenty-five inches of rain. It seemed like it would never stop. The Amite and Comite rivers run through our area and the waters began to rise. Predictions of flooding began to filter in... and flood it did. Subdivisions were evacuated. Shelters were established. Some shelters began to flood and people were then evacuated from places of refuge to further outlying areas. We didn't know it at the time but we were beginning to experience what would be the most catastrophic flood in the history of the state of Louisiana. The damages of the 1,000 year flood, as it has been called, exceeded even the massive devastation of Hurricane Katrina (2005). The Central and Denham Springs area looked like a war zone.

My church became a shelter for more than 150 people in total and some of those stayed for more than six weeks. Of course we had many ministry opportunities in addition to this including mud outs, food and cleaning supplies distribution, monetary gifts and certainly the presentation of the Gospel. However, the ugliness of the destruction took its toll. I sat and ministered to people who saw 40, 60 and 70 years worth of life's memories sitting in a pile of rubble on the curb in front of their water damaged houses. For some it wasn't realistic that they would ever return home; for others the financial impact has been severe and still, for others the emotional impact of it all has been overwhelming. I don't compare my personal situation to such as these, but I lost a vehicle, clothing and additionally, the home that I had secured to rent for my family. The house had been immersed in over four feet of water. My wife, four children and I were now homeless. Finding a home in this area was difficult before the flood. Now, over 90% of the area had been under water. We had no idea what we would do. Our days went on without end. Sleep eluded us. I was trying my best to provide leadership to my new congregation; to minister the Word of God to them; to be a source pointing them to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. All the while I was worried about what I would do for my own family. How to make decisions... Where to find a place to live... How to pay for expenses that were now going to be much more substantial, at least temporarily. Then, in the midst of everything, on an already highly stressful day my wife was involved in a car accident. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the vehicle was substantially damaged. So, at this point we had lost our place to live and now a second vehicle was gone, albeit this one temporarily.

My mind then went back to that time when I was just a boy and my family faced the devastation of that house fire. Peace began to flood my heart and fill my mind. It was as though the Lord was using that memory to remind me of something that I already knew and that was that HE IS SOVEREIGN and HE IS IN CONTROL!The Lord graciously reminded me that He can give beauty for ashes! Suddenly, I was filled with joy and as I remembered the blessings that God brought out of the devastation of fire. I couldn't help but begin to excitedly ponder what great things for His glory He bring out of this flood! Indeed, God has been so good! Donations flooded into our church. We were able to put at least some money in the hands of people affected by this disaster. We wrapped the Gospel in tangible ministry, spoke the truth and witnessed lives being touched and hearts being changed! On November 8th my wife and I closed on our new house that had not been flooded! We moved in just over two weeks ago and simply could not be more thrilled with how God has taken care of us! Make no mistake, the days of recovery here in south Louisiana are far from over. We need you to pray for us. People are still putting their lives back together. Some days are more frustrating than others. Set backs are inevitable. A new reality has settled in the minds of the people and yet through it all the good and gracious hand of our Lord has been powerfully active! In what could have completely destroyed a community and, for me a new ministry, we have instead watched as God has given beauty for ashes!

I am more excited now about what God has in store for Central, Louisiana and Fellowship Baptist Church than that I was when I came to preach in view of a call to be the pastor! The blessings that I have experienced through the devastation of that childhood event with fire compels me to rejoice as I think of what God can and may do through the disaster of this flood! It has been an unusual way to begin a new pastorate, to be sure. However, as I consider the goodness of my God, I wouldn't trade what I have endured these last five months for anything. So... my philosophy has become this: Let me face whatever disaster may come! I'll just give my ashes to God and faithfully anticipate what beauty He may bring from it! 

My seminary graduation

Twenty-two years ago I was eighteen years old standing in Israel on a tourism trip. I have been a few times since but this first trip was particularly amazing; it was then that God called me to preach. Immediately, I began to explore educational options. I didn't know anything and I knew that I would need as much help as I could get if I was going to effectively serve the Lord. However, my educational journey would be anything but conventional.

I married young, my wife and I began to have children, ministry opportunities were occurring, and life was getting more and more complicated. To make a very long story short, against all effort I managed to squeeze a four year undergraduate degree into nineteen years! -- I told you unconventional. -- I have longed to go to seminary ever since I was called to ministry. I would attend the Southern Baptist Convention only to have my desire for seminary training intensified after visiting the various seminary booths in the exhibit hall. After so long I had finally given up that I would ever be able to have such an opportunity; and then it happened. I had resigned from a church where I had served as pastor and really wasn't sure what the future would hold. Seminary came back to mind, but so many questions came to mind: Could I get in? Am I too old? How am I going to pay for it? Would I be able to keep up? Looking back now I can see that those questions are truly foolish considering that the only question that ever really matters is: What is God's will?

In 2012 I took a step of faith and applied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. SWBTS took a step of faith and accepted me as a student. My seminary journey began. It has been remarkable. I have been able to immediately use training I received in ministry contexts. I have truly loved every class. I've enjoyed sitting under every professor. I have loved every minute of my seminary journey! Today, a dream will come true for me... today I will graduate with my Master's of Divinity degree. Dr. David Allen, one of the most premier preaching scholars in the world, and a man whom I greatly admire will call my name; I will walk across the stage, shake hands and receive my diploma from Dr. Paige Patterson, the president of the seminary and one of the most influential men in the history of Baptist life. For me it is surreal... I'm a graduate of one of the foremost seminaries in the world. My heart is full, overflowing and overwhelmed by the goodness of God. The journey has been tough, but it wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't hard. My family has been so supportive, my church as well. I could never put into words my appreciation for the love and support of friends, relatives and church members. My wife has been AMAZING. God has blessed me beyond measure.

BUT -- most of all I am so grateful to the Lord. God has been so good. Twenty-eight years after my salvation I still am amazed that God would choose to save me, much less use me. I am overwhelmed when I consider the doors that God has opened for me, His provision for me, and His investment in me. I look to future for what God has next with great anticipation! Thank you my friends! Thank you dear family! Thank you my sweet wife! Thank you Jesus!

Jeremy Pruitt, Mdiv.  

2016

As I reflect on the passing of 2015 I am drawn to the comfort and strength of the sovereignty of God. This year has been filled with hills and valleys. There have been joys and difficulties, both personally and in the pastorate. I have witnessed the joy of the salvation experience as sinners have been born again as believers in Jesus Christ. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death with precious saints as their loved one stepped into eternity. I have seen the wonder and excitement of precious new lives brought into this world... my, what a wonderful privilege it is that God gives to us in the rearing of children! I have also witnessed the difficult trial of sickness, disease and physical infirmities. Ministry difficulties and victories have both been present. There have been ups and downs. There has been good and bad. There has been joy and hardship. 2015, in a word as been unique; and through all of it God has been so gracious. His sovereign hand has been clearly evident. I cannot help but to be reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, "... in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you..."

Because God is sovereign and supreme I can look forward to 2016 with great anticipation! After all, He has more than proven Himself to be true. To be clear, there are really only two options on how 2016 may be approached: either in faith or with fear. Which do you suppose honors God? Of course, the answer is faith! The truth is that as a believer in Christ faith is my only real option. To operate in fear is sin, and "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Heb.11:6).

With that in mind let me say that I am generally not one to make New Year's resolutions. However, I want to ask you to join with me; together let us RESOLVE to make 2016 the year of FAITH. Let us resolve now that whatever may come our way, wherever God may lead us, whatever decisions must be made in our lives and whatever joys or difficulties we may face that we will TRUST GOD. Let us resolve that we will not be men and women of FEAR, but men and women of FAITH! God is sovereign! God is supreme! He is worthy of our trust and the only proper recipient of our faith. I look forward to 2016 with a hope and belief that God desires to use my life, my family and my church to be used in such a way as to bring Him maximum glory; and I, here confess my resolve: I resolve to trust God! I resolve to place my faith in Him in a complete and reckless abandonment! I resolve to be a man will believe God! I resolve that, as much as it is within my power, that 2016 will be the greatest year of my walk with God! Let's take the days ahead by storm... for the glory of God!

Who's with me?

The Death Knell Sounds for the American Church

Recently, I had the wonderful experience of traveling to Israel on a tourism trip. This was my third visit to the Holy Land, and it was without a doubt the best. Of course, to say that it is difficult to describe the experience of walking where Jesus walked is an understatement. My heart overflows with joy unspeakable as I read the Scripture and the print comes off of the page as events and places visually flood my mind. My Bible has been turned into a "pop-up book" as I read about Scriptural places that I have physically seen. However, I must admit that I experienced mixed emotions over this trip. The most significant part for me came when our group visited the Western Wall. It was there that I prayed for the peace of Jerusalem, and as I did so the gravity of lostness that surrounded me began to weigh heavily upon my soul and my heart broke. Around me there were hundreds of people who rejected Jesus as Messiah but were nevertheless devoted to religion. They stood all about the area, some were crying out to God, others prayed quietly, and some sang songs. My heart melted as I considered their deep devotion which, instead of liberty, kept them in bondage... and I prayed that their eyes might be opened to the reality of the risen Christ. Then I stepped back away from  the Wall and contemplated all that was going on around me and meditated upon the things which God was stirring in my heart... and again my heart broke. My mind shifted from that marvelous sight in Jerusalem and I began to consider the state of Christianity in America from my viewpoint. Grief began to consume me as I considered the stark contrast between the American church and what was transpiring right in front me that day. On one hand I observed faithful devotion to dead religion, and on the other I considered such lack of devotion to the One true God, His only begotten Son and His divinely inspired Word.

In days gone by when a person had left this life having passed through the portals of death the church within the community would sound the "death knell." The death knell served as the public notification that a death had occurred in the community. It was the sounding of the church bells, three for a man, two for a woman and varying patterns for children (See The Church Bells of Kent: Their Inscriptions, Founders, Uses and Traditions by John Charles Lett Stahlschmidt, p. 126-127) that informed the community of the death. Unfortunately, when it comes to the American church I believe there is sufficient reason to believe that the death knell is close to sounding, if it hasn't already. Obviously, I will not be exhaustive in my thoughts, but as a local church pastor I would simply like to share my concern that the church in America is, in fact, dying...

In the years of my ministry I have observed what seems to me to be a growing desire for individualism to the neglect of corporate fellowship centered on the gospel. In conducting a survey among young adults (ages 20-29) Lifeway Research found that over 70% consider themselves "spiritual"-that is desiring to know God or more about God (or Higher-being) though not committed to any church (http://www.lifewayresearch.com/2009/04/19/young-adults-consider-themselves-spiritual/). The same survey conducted among those over the age of 30 still exceeded 60%. Examining the last decade the Pew Research center reveals a steady drop in attendance of local churches (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/13/what-surveys-say-about-worship-attendance-and-why-some-stay-home/). Barna Research Group reveals the same startling trend (https://www.barna.org/barna-update/leadership/323-report-examines-the-state-of-mainline-protestant-churches#.U4eAqvldWoM). The trend of rapid decline in local church involvement crosses denominational lines, including the Southern Baptist Convention, the denomination with which I am affiliated (http://www.abpnews.com/ministry/organizations/item/8562-sbc-baptism-membership-numbers-fall).

These figures are startling, troubling and heartbreaking, especially considering that, according to the research, the majority of people consider themselves "spiritual." I think many, if not most, pastors would agree with me when I say that I didn't really need to see these surveys to know the results they portray. I see it regularly and have seen it in every church that I have been privileged to pastor. Of course the remnant always exists, but they are undoubtedly the minority. Concerning the majority of "the church," however, there is a professed love for Jesus, a professed desire to be saved, a professed hunger for spiritual "things" or "knowledge," yet there is very little commitment to the Lord's church. It is an "everybody do their own thing" mentality that seems to have gripped professing believers. I've seen the reality of these numbers in virtually every church that I've pastored. In days gone by the church was the center-piece of a community and every service well-attended. Now, Sunday morning services are considered the "big service" of the week; Sunday nights typically represent 50% or less in attendance and mid-week service barely garners a handful of attendees. Moreover, many Sunday morning only attenders are becoming more and more "hit and miss." The old cliche' 20% of people do 80% of the work is very much outdated. Perhaps the more accurate ratio would be 5% of the people do 95% of the work.

Of course, people have their reasons, or to be more accurate, their excuses for lack of commitment and involvement in the local church. Some will cite their employment, others will point to local school involvement; some will say they can't get out in the evening time and certainly there are all of those children and grandchildren activities. Local church involvement, it seems, has lost its significance in our culture. However, the issue, I think, isn't that church is unimportant to "believers", but that it is just not as important as everything else going on in people's lives. After all, consumed with this individualistic mind-set, many people feel that they can worship God just as effectively in the car, on the lake, at the campground, in the deer stand, on the job, at the ball field, or at home with their own family members. Furthermore, we (churches and church leaders) have so personalized the Gospel that we've lost sight of God's bigger picture and, thus, aided in the exodus from commitment. What I mean to say, here, is that we have made the Gospel all about us as individuals and have forgotten that it is about Jesus. Jesus died for me. Jesus saved me. I'm growing in my walk with the Lord. Certainly, the Christian can make these statements and know them to be true, but in American Christianity we do what we often do with many things, we take it to excess. I absolutely believe in entering into and cultivating a personal walk with God. However, we have no right to personalize/individualize the gospel to the neglect of God's kingdom (corporate) work. Jesus didn't say he came to build the plans for your life. He said He came to build His church (Matt. 16:18); and build His church He has. The book of Acts tells of God's leading His apostles to plant and grow local churches all over the world as the manifestation of the kingdom of God on the earth. This was and is God's plan for reaching the world with the Gospel. Through the years of my service in the Lord's ministry people have asked questions to this effect: why don't we see the power of God displayed today like we read about in the book Acts? Well, without launching into a lengthy doctrinal discussion over that question let me simply offer this reply: Could it be that in the book Acts we read of a people, though imperfect, yet were consumed with an overwhelming love, zeal and passion for Christ, to the degree that their entire focus was on living for and serving Christ, but not merely as individual Christians, but, rather as individual parts of the local church in the community in which they lived. In contrast, the mentality of most today seems to be, how little can I do for God and still please Him? Sadly, I contend that many "Christians" are in the same condition, spiritually, as the people of Israel were described in the days when there was no king: "... every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25)..." Everybody want to have it their own way and just do their own thing.

Today, believers have their own walk with God. The desire and perceived need for local church involvement is no longer existent for a majority of people who lay claim to the name of Jesus Christ. As a result we are witnessing our nation moving further and further away from God. Certainly, I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I will says this: we cannot practice "Burger King" Christianity and expect the blessing of God. We don't get to "have it our way." We can't do God's work the way we want to do it. The kingdom is God's work. The local church is God's plan to build the kingdom. The Great Commission to make disciples was given to the church, to be carried out by the church. The hope for this world is God moving in and through His church. While I know that God has and does work through individuals, I'm praying that the people who claim to know, love and serve God will once again see the church, and their commitment to and part in the church, as important as it is to the Lord Himself. I fear, however, that it may be too late. In fact, I think that if you listen closely you can hear the bells tolling... it's the death knell of the church in America.

India 2014

Dear friends,

I hope you are doing well and prospering in the Lord Jesus, even as your soul prospers. On February 16th, 2014 I will fly out of the DFW airport in Dallas, Texas to return to New Delhi, India. This will be my fourth trip to this part of the world. I will go as part of a team of pastors/evangelists and minister in a pastor's conference hosted on the campus of the All India Prayer Fellowship and Immanuel Theological Seminary in New Delhi. More than 1,000 pastors, evangelists and church leaders from every state in India will attend. Participants are also expected from Burma, Nepal, Bangladesh and perhaps even from some neighboring "closed" countries. This will be an awesome opportunity for the gospel!

India is the one of the largest populated countries in the world, second only to China. It is not only the poorest country, economically, but it is also the most unevangelized nation on the planet. The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention reports that there is presently less than a 2% evangelical Christian witness present in India. "The harvest, truly, is plentiful..." (Matt. 9: 37). The need is great! The commission of our Lord and the call of His gospel is that we must go! We must go with the good news that Jesus saves! We must go into this spiritually dark land with the glorious and brilliant light of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This ministry opportunity is unique, in that pastors and church leaders will come from every state in the nation. So, in a very literal sense, the whole of India will be represented. Along with the team I will be able to invest into the lives and ministries of these pastors and church leaders. They will return to their cities and villages having been refreshed, renewed and revived in fulfilling the gospel task. Literally, this conference serves as a tremendous opportunity to reach the whole nation of India for Christ! Please pray with us for God to move greatly in the lives of the Indian people.

You can help in several ways... First, you can help financially. India is the poorest nation in the world. The poverty in which a majority of the people live is unimaginable by American standards. These pastors and church leaders live in the very same condition as their people. This makes it impossible for the vast majority, in fact, nearly all of them to attend a conference like this. And so, the team, of which I am a part, underwrites the expenses. We see that those coming can travel to and from the conference, receiving lodging and food , as well as resource material for ministry purposes in their respective locations. Needless to say, the cost of hosting a conference expecting 1,000 to 1,500 attendees is significant (approximately $30,000 in total; my part is approx. $7,000). I would ask that you prayerfully consider financially supporting this ministry.There a number of things, logistically, that must be put in order and so, time is a factor of consideration. To ensure accountability I'm asking that all donations be given through the local church where I pastor. If you can help and would like to support this ministry please send your love offering to:

First Baptist Church    Make Check payable to: First Baptist Church
PO Box 99                        Designate offering as: India 2014
Garrison, Texas 75946 

Secondly, and more importantly, you can help and support through prayer. Pray for traveling mercy for me and for the team traveling from the U.S., as well as for the pastors and church leaders who will attend the conference. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Many of these pastors are men who, along with their families and the churches they pastor, have endured intense persecution for the faith. They need God to move powerfully in their lives. Pray that God will use this conference as a catalyst to impact the nation of India with the gospel in a supernatural way! And finally, pray, more than anything, that the Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified!

Thank you for taking time to read about India and the opportunity to minister there! Thank you for your support and than you for praying!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: pastor@fbcgarrison.com.

Blessings,
Jeremy Pruitt, pastor
FBC Garrison
fbcgarrison.com

India and Philippines Mission Support

Dear friend in the ministry,

For the last few years I have had the wonderful privilege of preaching in a pastor's conference at the All India Prayer Fellowship (AIPF) in Delhi, India. In 2012, prayerfully, I will make my third trip. I am delighted to be involved with such a wonderful ministry. The ten acre campus is located at Mission Hospital Road Shahurpur, Fatehpur Beri Post, New Delhi. On the campus is located the India Bible Institute and Immanuel Theological Seminary, as well as grade school up to 8th grade. Also on the campus is the Mission Hospital which the Lord is using greatly, not only to treat the sick but also to minister to those who are in the darkness of Islam or Hinduism. The entire ministry, including the school, seminary and the hospital is overseen by Dr. Koshy Kurien and his wife Dr. Beena Kurien. Dr. Koshy is an orthopedic surgeon and Dr. Beena is a pathologist. While they have been blessed with excellent education and training, and could do very well financially, especially if they chose to practice somewhere in the west, the Kuriens have chosen to follow God's will for their lives and allow their medical training to be used by God to reach the Indian people, their people, for Christ! Praise the Lord!

 Among those many different ways that God is using AIPF one such way is through the annual pastor's conference. Every year pastors, their wives along with other church leaders, from nearly every state in India, as well as several states in Nepal gather on the grounds of AIPF for a three day conference of ministry and preaching of the Word of God. I have been privileged now to preach in two of these conferences, and prayerfully will join the team in February of 2012. As you know, I'm sure, in India poverty is an issue; it is arguably the poorest country in the world. Many of the pastors do not possess the resources to travel and attend such a conference. And so the expense falls to AIPF, in particular those of us from the U.S. who come to speak.

 In the next year we are expecting more than 1,000 pastors with their wives and other church leaders from all over India and Nepal to attend the AIPF Pastor's conference! In addition to this, there will be present the 150-200 students who live on campus and attend the seminary. What a tremendous opportunity there is to literally reach every part of India for Christ by ministering to these pastors and church leaders! Of course, this will have some expenses. It is to this end that I am writing today. Of course, the greatest support you can offer is prayer. Please pray for the conference, pray for the pastors, students and attendees. Pray for those who will travel, not only from the US but also for those from all over India. Pray for those who will preach and ministry to these precious saints: Evangelist Dr. Jerry Spencer, Pastor Dr. Dan Spencer, Pastor Dr. Mark LaRue and me.

Then of course, there is a need for financial support. I will need to renew my visa to India which will cost around a total of $500.00. My flight expense will be approximately $1,500 - $2,000. And then my responsibility to help fund the conference expenses will be $5,000.00. So, as you can see the financial need is substantial, but I believe we serve a great God! And so I ask: what is this expense to Him? It is nothing! I know that where God guides He provides! In addition to this once I leave India I will travel to the Philippines where our church, through Fruitful Harvest Ministries has extensive mission work transpiring. I will be there for about two weeks surveying the ministry, encouraging pastors and preaching the gospel. There will be an additional expense here of approximately $1,500-$2,000. The total expense for this three week mission trip to invest in literally thousands of lives from all over two nations will be approximately $9,000.00

I only ask that you pray and seek the Lord regarding financial support, and then simply be obedient to the Lord's direction. Any amount at all would be a blessing. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to respond. I would be glad to answer them! As far as giving is concerned there are two options for you to choose:

Option 1: Send support directly to me: Jeremy Pruitt 891 FM 2560 Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.                Make check payable to me. (This is not tax-deductible)

Option 2: Send support through my church: New Beginnings Fellowship Baptist Church 155 N. Jackson Sulphur Springs, TX 75482

Make check payable to New Beginnings Fellowship Baptist Church & designate funds as India Mission. (This is tax-deductible).

Thank you for your time. I appreciate your interest in the ministry. I want you to know that I have a heart for the Indian people and I see this as a great opportunity to minister the gospel to them. I hope you will join me in helping to reach India and the Philippines for Christ! Should you have questions either comment or click to email me. Thanks once again, thank you and may God richly bless you! 

The Christian believer and the local church...

As a child I did not grow up in a Christian home and as a result church attendance was seldom at best. Even after I was saved at the age of 12 haphazard attendance might be the most accurate description. At that time my father was lost and my mother was not living for the Lord and so, faithfulness to church wasn't exactly high on the priority list. When I turned 16 the Lord started to do a marvelous work in my life that brought godly sorrow upon me which led me to repentance and right living before the Lord. Since that time faithful, local church involvement has been very important to me. Of course, as a pastor church involvement is crucial, but in reality it is just as important for every member of a local church to be as faithful and committed to the church as the pastor is... we are all parts of the body.  My wife and I will soon be married 16 years. To this date we have never had a conversation about whether or not we would attend church. Even prior to when I began to pastor attending church has always been very important to both of us. Now, there may have been times when we discussed where we would attend, such as when we were on vacation or out of town; but the fact that we would attend was never in question.

I believe in the importance of the local church! I believe that being faithful to attend and serve in some capacity in the local church ought to be important to everyone who names the name of Christ! It seems, however, that the importance of local church involvement is lost upon many in these current days. I have observed that there are believers who seem to just float between churches. They stay at one church for awhile and then float to another, and then to another, and to another and so on, until they start all over from the beginning. The cycle seems endless. And then, of course there are those who claim faith in Christ but see no value in being a part of a local church. They say they are believers but do not attend church and, in fact in many cases are bitter and resent the idea of being involved with a local church. In such cases, not all, but some, it will usually be discovered that at some point the individual was involved with a local church, only to be hurt in some way. Then you have professed believers who exhibit bitterness and anger towards the church and will often use excuses like, 'there are too many hypocrites in the church,' to keep from being faithful to the very institution that Christ sought to establish and build on this earth to advance His kingdom.

In Matthew 16:18b Jesus said, "... upon this rock I will build My church..," the rock being that great confession that Jesus "... is the Christ, the Son of the living God..." Acts 2 describes the birthday of the New Testament church when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost to seal and indwell those who confess salvational faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Prior to this the Lord had promised His disciples: "... But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth..." (Acts 1:8). The point being that God was going to send His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower believers to carry His gospel to every people group on the planet for the sake of His glory. This group of people, this body of people carrying out the Lord's will is called the church. The church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18). She is also referred to as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5: 22-33). Anyone and everyone who is drawn to God by the working of the Holy Spirit, expresses repentance towards God for sin and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord is born again into this family and made a part of this beautiful institution called the church. This is what we call the "universal church." Every believer is a part of the church of Jesus Christ. 

However, the church is expressed on this earth, not through an intangible, universal body, but rather through a literal, physical local church. Now, there are those who fail to see the importance and the need for the local church. There are those who claim to be believers and yet refuse to be a part of a local church. There are even those who see nothing but corruption in the church and therefore refuse to be involved with a local body of believers. But let me be clear: those who hold to such positions allow experience or presupposition to be their guide and authority. Something is their authority, but that something is not Scripture. Even a casual reading of the New Testament reveals the identity, structure, importance, purpose and program of the locally established, New Testament church.

In the New Testament we find that the books of Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and, arguably, 1, 2 & 3 John were written to specific, local churches. The books of 1 & 2 Timothy as well as Titus are referred to as the "pastoral epistles" because they are written to the pastors of particular local churches with instructions as to the nature, structure, organization and purpose of the local church. In the book of Revelation as the apostle John is being given the great revelation of the apocalypse he is commanded to write letters to seven specific local churches (Revelation 2 & 3). Given the fact that there is such an obvious importance placed on the local church in the Scripture the question must be asked: Why is there so little commitment to the local church today? I mean, let's face it, people change churches all the time; and not just because they've moved to a new city, or even because of some doctrinal heresy being taught in their church. People change churches for most trivial, and I would say unbiblical, reasons!

One day I had a man come to my office at the church where I was pastoring at the time to tell me that he would be leaving our church and begin his search for a new one. I asked him if he was moving to a different part of town, or to a new city. He said, no, he just felt like he and his family needed a change. Of course, as a pastor I never want to see anyone leave the church so I probed a littel bit further. I asked him if he had a Biblical reason for leaving the church. He was confused and asked what I meant, so I clarified. I asked him if he could show me in the Bible where the Scripture allows for the believer to just up and change churches based on "feeling the need for a change." He could not.

Obviously there is allowance for finding a new church when one has moved to a new city or to a distance to far to travel... Paul and others did this in the New Testament. But never do we find a discussion or an allowance for believers to leave their local church to find a new one simply because they feel the need for a change; or, because their feelings have been hurt; or, because they have even been wronged. As I discussed things further with the gentleman I mentioned, I discovered that he had an issue with another man in the church and rather than dealing with and working through the issue to bring resolve to the matter, this man chose to leave. I would submit that this is the case more often than not when people choose to change churches. They place such little emphasis on the importance of the local church and their involvement that when an issue arises they choose to leave rather than work through it.

Furthermore, it's one thing when you are a part of a church that is teaching outright doctrinal heresy and anti-biblical doctrine. One must be careful as to their spiritual diet. However, I still lay out the challenge to those who change churches simply because their feelings were hurt, or their sin was condemned, or even in the cases where they may have been genuinely wronged; the Scripture doesn't allow for that person to just run off to another church! What the Scrpture does do (Matthew 5 & 18) is outline for us, how to deal with those issues and bring resolve to differences with honesty, integrity, forgiveness, grace, mercy and compassion.

And let me add this: the Jews of Jesus' day and even His own disciples (at least until the day of Pentecost) never understood God's real plan in Christ coming to the earth. They looked for a conquering Messiah to come and over throw the Roman empire and rule forever from Jerusalem. They never understood that Christ was coming to establish a kingdom that would be ruled from the hearts of men and that that kingdom would be advanced in the world through the church that Jesus established. Now, let me say this: I think that many people today still don't get it. The don't understand the importance of the local church; that this is how God will advance His kingdom in the world until His return. Thererfore, there is very little commitment to the local church. People focus more on people rather than God's purpose. They focus more on problems than God's power. They focus more on personalities than on God's presence. In this pastor's opinion the church (in America) has become powerless and ineffectual; and that, is in large part due to the fact that Christian believers have so little care and concern for the local church body, and their place in it.

Lastly, let me say that if you are reading this, be committed and involved in your local church. Give your tithes and offerings. Operate in your area of giftedness. Serve the body of Christ. Take your place in the local church and help to advance God's kingdom on the earth. Be faithful, after all this is the church that Christ has built. This is His establishment. Don't be so quick to forsake what the Lord has designed and constructed to change the world!