What the Church Needs Most

I recently held a meeting in another congregation where at the end of one of the services several people responded to the invitation. Some were restored while others were baptized. When the local preacher was expressing to the church the spiritual decisions that were being made by those who responded, he got very emotional. This was a natural reaction to a very important moment in the lives of those who had been touched by God’s Word. Watching this preacher in action reminded me of what the church needs most.

The church needs preachers who cry. A man who speaks the message must also be moved by it inwardly. This involves an awareness of his own sinfulness as well as an appreciation for God’s love and grace. The preacher needs to cry over people who are hurting physically or spiritually. The preacher needs to cry for joy when others are motivated to obey the gospel or make spiritual changes that will result in eternal rewards.

The church needs elders who shepherd. Unfortunately, most churches don’t really follow the shepherding model of leadership. Elders were not put in place by God to do what most of them do – which is make business meeting decisions. They were not given their position to run the church like a factory. Souls need counsel and support and spiritual guidance. The church needs elders who primarily function over the spiritual direction of the flock.

The church needs members who work. One of the reasons the preachers and elders and their families are discouraged is because the members sometimes hire out church work. The contribution, though supportive of ministry, is not to be treated as a collection that takes responsibility away from individual members. We don’t give into the treasury in order to not have to give in other areas. Growing churches that are pleasing to God are churches in which each one of the members is constantly ministering. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a congregation with dedicated members who love the Lord and want to serve?

The church needs a God who is patient and forgives. There may be preachers out there who have lost their way and who have forgotten why they preach. There may be elders out there who have turned into rule makers and lords over the flock. There may be members out there who have simply become bench warmers who bear no fruit for Christ. But one thing is for certain, the church ALWAYS has what it needs when it comes to a loving and longsuffering Father. We have a long way to go as people. Churches will always go through strong and weak periods because of the inconsistencies and sins of people. We can be thankful that God is patient with us when we as Christians sometimes forget our roles and responsibilities. The church may be lacking in human areas, but it is never short of what it needs when it comes to God.

What the church needs most is pretty simple. It needs most to be more like One who created it.

“…leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” – 1 Peter 2:21

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AUTHOR: Jeremiah Tatum