What Is Your Congregation Known For?
Ask someone what the congregation they attend is known for, and you are likely to get some interesting responses. You might wonder if they are giving a view that is skewed–not out of dishonesty, but because they love the congregation so much–but the answer is probably something really good.
“We’re a loving family.”
“We defend the truth.”
“We’re very friendly.”
“We are known for our ___ ministry.”
“We help people.”
Now, let me say that my words today are not meant to diminish any of those. Read the New Testament and you will see that congregations need to defend the truth, be kind and loving, and have ministries that help people.
But did you notice the question that was asked? Did you read it carefully? All that was asked was “what is your congregation known for?” What was not asked was “by whom?”
A congregation must be sure that the first priority they have is to make sure that they are seeking to have a reputation–not with their community and not within the brotherhood–but with Jesus that is right and proper.
Read Revelation chapters 2 and 3 and you are going to see that Jesus is among the congregations, He knows their works, and He evaluates each one. In fact, at times His evaluation is the exact opposite of what the congregation thinks of itself or what it is known for.
When it comes to making sure a congregation is what it should be, the question we should be asking is “what are we known for to Jesus?” And the only proper answer to that question can be found in an humble and faithful reading and application of His guidebook: the New Testament.
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn