Church Hopping

While talking with a preacher friend recently, we discussed the fact that some of the members of the two congregations for which we preach like to do something we call "church hopping." It's the idea where Christians, unsatisfied with the church of which they have aligned themselves, become restless and need what they call "a change."

I have been wanting to write an article about this for some time, but have not been able to find the words. I suppose that it has to do with the fact that it's discouraging to have "dissatisfied members." Add to that, I know that some will take offense to what will be said. Though I never seek to be offensive, the truth sometimes offends.

It would be nice if all Christians could just work together and for the common good. But sadly, there are some who will always be "me-centered" instead of "Christ-centered." Brethren, as long as that's the case we will never grow like they did in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago (Acts 2).

Before I go any further, please don't misunderstand. I am not saying that we are in error for visiting sister congregations from time to time--whether in our own community or around the world--how absurd. It would be ludicrous to suggest that attending another congregation while we're vacationing or working out of town is wrong. Add to that, from time to time our men are invited to preach on a fill-in basis at area congregations. There's nothing wrong with that either.

The problem is when it comes to the attitude of loyalty. With some folks, you can't tell what church they're members of--they "church hop" every Sunday. If the preacher makes them mad, or if the elders don't like their ideas, or if brother/sister so and so offends them then rest assured they are going to be worshipping somewhere else come Sunday. With that said, a passage of Scripture comes to mind:"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Mt. 5:23-24).

Ladies and gentlemen, this passage says that if you have a problem with a brother/sister and think you can run away from it by "church hopping," then you're fooling yourself. Add to that, your worship is not acceptable before God.

I would like for you to consider with me an essay written by brother Steve Higginbotham. Brother Steve has written a "to the point" article on the subject we're discussing here. Please give this special attention, and if you're currently a "church hopper," then consider the harm that you're causing to the local body.

Have you heard about the man who was the only survivor of a shipwreck? He swam ashore to an uncharted island and lived there for the next five years. Finally, sailors spotted the smoke of his campfire and rescued him from the island. As they were leaving the island, one of the sailors and the rescued man stood on the back of the boat, gazing at the tiny island that had sustained this man for the past five years. The sailor interrupted the reflective silence by asking the man what the three huts were for. The man said, "the first hut was my home. The second hut was where I went to church. And the third hut was where I used to go to church before I got mad and left."

The sad thing about this story is that it is an accurate caricature of what so many people are doing today. When a person gets his feelings hurt, he leaves for another congregation. When a person is offended, he leaves for another congregation. When a person doesn't get his way, he leaves for another congregation. Instead of working through difficulty, being patient, practicing forgiveness and brotherly kindness, and being dependable, people use their membership, and the threat of leaving, as a form of bribery to get their way. When they don't get their way, off they go to another congregation to exchange their old problems for a set of new ones yet to be realized. Then the process begins again.

I wonder if much of the "church hopping" we see today would cease if people were more concerned about what they can contribute to a congregation rather than focusing upon what a congregation can do for them. I believe we would all be better off if we would focus "less on self, and more on Thee."

I particularly like what brother Steve had to say in that last paragraph. It reminds me of the need for more people in the church like Barnabas. You see, Barnabas was a plus person who added to the lives of others. May God help the Lord's church to be full of people like Barnabas who will build up the church through attendance and involvement. "Church hopping" is a discouragement to the elders, the preacher, and every member who wants to see the local church grow.

"They Made Light of It"

The king prepared a wedding feast in honor of his son. With enthusiasm for the upcoming event, the king sent his servants to invite special guests for the dinner. He killed the oxen and the fatlings. Everything was prepared just right--you know, with all the fixings. To the king's surprise, those invited refused to come. In fact, "they made light of it." Consequently, the king had all of these killed. In their place, the king sent his servants out into the highways and everyone that the servants saw were invited to the wedding feast.

This little story was told by Jesus in Matthew 22:1-14. It was a parable intended to show the importance of setting the right priorities in view of the coming judgment. You'll notice that in the midst of this little parable, when the special guests refused to come to the dinner, it was said that they were making light of the king's invitation. For the purpose of our study, let's use that expression as a springboard for our essay--"They made Light of It."

My friends, when we refuse the commands of the Lord, we are making light of divine inspiration. So, let's discuss some of the ways in which we make light of that holy book--the Bible.

We make light of it when . . .

We fail to faithfully attend all the worship services of the church.

First of all, let me clarify what I'm saying. By all I simply mean whenever it is sacrificially possible to attend. If I'm on a bed of affliction, then the Lord will not hold me responsible for not attending Sunday's, Wednesday's, Gospel Meeting's, and other periods of worship specifically designated by the Lord, or our elders. The Lord will not hold me responsible if I'm unavoidably detained at work. However, I must not be a slave to my job. So what I'm saying is this, use common sense.

However, when I put family, friends, ball games, vacations, above faithfully attending the services of the saints, then I'm making light of God's word (Heb. 10:25).

We refuse to rectify personal offences.

The Bible says that If I have some problem with a brother, then I need to go to him (Mt. 18:15). Furthermore, it's impossible for my worship to be accepted on Sunday if I'm boiling with anger on the inside because a brother sitting on the other side of the auditorium has offended me. The Bible says, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Mt. 5:23,24). That's going to mean swallowing your pride. But remember, two souls are potentially in jeopardy if you do and say nothing--your's and your brother's.

We are not active in trying to bring souls to Jesus.

For souls to be saved, for church buildings to be overflowing, and for heaven's gates to be full one day, it 's up to every Christian to be evangelist's. Did you know that statistically and biblically speaking, only one out of every four souls who hear the Good News, will be saved (Mt. 13:1-9). Then there are all the souls that have never heard the Word. Brethren, WE have OUR work cut out for US. Let me get into your heart. By name, who is one person that you have talked to about Jesus this year?

We cease to be students of the bestseller of all time--the Bible.

The Bible contains "facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and rewards to be received." While visiting a congregation of the Lord's church I noticed in the foyer of their building a bulletin board. On it was a picture of a Bible and beside it were these words, "Only sin can keep you from this book, and only this book can keep you from sin." *The Bible contains the answer to man's most thought provoking questions--where did I come from, why am I here, and where am I going? It answers man's greatest question--what must I do to be saved? The Bible tells us to study in order receive divine approval (2 Tm. 2:15). If you want to enjoy life, read your Bible. If you want to know how to act as a parent, child, husband, wife, employer, or employee, then read your Bible.

We don't faithfully execute church discipline.

It's called the "forgotten commandment"--withdrawl of fellowship. I think it would be better called the "ignored commandment." By ignored I mean it is not consistently practiced in the Lord's church. But it's also important to note that the commandment is ignored when we don't take the withdrawal seriously.

I find it amazing that when one is withdrawn from, he/she will sometimes be invited to a "fellowship meal." Did not Paul say, "with such an one know not even to eat" (1 Cor. 5:11)? On occasion, if there is a special function or activity the withdrawn from member will be invited to participate. This will be done under the guise that "we're including him so perhaps he'll come back." With respect to erring brethren, did not Paul say, "have no company with him, that he may be ashamed" (2 Thes. 3:14)?

Brethren, when we fail to yield to the divine handbook for Christian living, then we've made light of God's word.

Angry Words

In 1867, Haratio Richard Palmer, choir director for the Second Baptist Church wrote the song that bears the above title, and contains these beautiful lyrics:

Angry words! O let them never From the tongue unbridled slip;

May the heart's best impulse ever Check them ere they soil the lip.

Love is much too pure and holy, Friendship is too sacred far,

For a moment's reckless folly Thus to desolate and mar.

Angry words are lightly spoken, Bittrest tho'ts are rashly stirred,

Brightest links of life are broken By a single angry word.

Love one another thus saith the Savior,

Children obey the Father's blest command.

I read recently about an event that occurred in the 1960's where Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the United States. He was engaged in talks with the mayor of the state of California and during the course of their conversation, Premier Khrushchev became intimidated and enraged. In a fit of anger, the Russian Premier said this, "The missiles are on the launching pads, a few more words of insult, and I will push the button."

It's amazing to me that someone could actually become so angry that they would even consider a course of action that would lead to the death of millions of innocent people. Nevertheless, this little story reminds us of the fact that angry words penetrate the heart, and cause men to say and or do things that they might not otherwise say or do.

In both the Old and New Testaments we are given verses that urge us to "be careful little mouth what we say." In the Old Testament we read, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few" (Eccl. 5:2). The New Testament passage that comes to mind says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (Jas. 1:19).

In the Old Testament, our eyes focus on the word "rash." This word comes from a Hebrew word translated "suddenly alarmed or agitated." In the New Testament passage we focus on the word "wrath." This word means "violent passion." Contextually it is a reference to words of violence and or words that would lead to violence.

Look closely at the word "anger." Did you ever think about the fact that this word is just one letter away from the word "danger?" One person described anger as an acid. It not only damages that which it is poured on, but it equally, if not more so, damages the container in which it is stored. Anger is truly danger.

Anger within the heart destroys the heart. Angry words that come from our lips will destroy relationships. When James wrote his little epistle he describes the tongue as a fire and a world of iniquity.

An angry tongue can destroy friendships. It can bring pain to and divide the church. It will cause the home to suffer heartache. One individual wrote it down this way:

A careless word may kindle strife;

A cruel word may wreck a life.

A bitter word may hate instill;

A brutal word may smite and kill.

Let's work hard to watch our words. We should be positive Christians that add to the lives of our neighbors, friends, family, and the church. We don't want to tear down--we want to build up. Remember, we will one day be judged by our words (Mt. 12:36).