Working Together

All local congregations are made up of baptized believers who have been changed from the world. Qualities and characteristics possessed by these individuals are large in scope. Like the parable which the Lord told in Matthew 25, each individual has a number of talents. And it is the responsibility of the individual to make best use of those talents. God will judge us, not by how many talents we have, but by what we do with the talents we possess. Each individual must be willing to do whatever he can in order to see the kingdom of God expand. It should be our goal to involve every individual in some aspect of the work programs. The elders want to see every member working in his particular area; making the most of his ability.

God has always required work of his people. When Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was to dress it and to keep it (~Genesis 2:15~). Today the children of God have specific duties and responsibilities. God wants each individual to be working in the vineyard, producing fruit. Jesus warned that those branches which do not produce fruit will be destroyed (~John 15:5-6~). We are to be working daily for the Lord in His Kingdom!

One principle which should be remembered in performing the Lord's work, is doing things orderly. Paul told the Corinthian church, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (~1 Corinthians 14:40~). For the church to grow and prosper there must be proper planning and organization. Little will be accomplished when there is a lack of either of these elements in the program or work. The Lord's business is the greatest and most important business on earth. Anything short of prayerful planning and organization is neither pleasing nor acceptable to God. The individuals in the local church should be working toward specific goals, which have been set up by the leadership. When everyone sees what needs to be done, and when each is made to understand his responsibility, there will be greater interest and involvement; more will be willing to work.

The individuals in the local church must be working together for the established goals to be realized. There must be unity among the members for real progress to be made. The psalmist declared, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity!" (~Psalms 133:1~).

When there is unity in the local congregation there is a great spirit of love and enthusiasm. Paul told the church in Ephesus that they should be "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (~Ephesians 4:3~). Today we should be striving to do the same thing. When members are working together they are not looking for individual recognition. They are looking for results. Their primary concern is seeing that the Lord's work is done.

Each individual member should be impressed with the truth that his efforts are greatly needed, even though he may consider himself to be limited in ability. The part each individual plays is very important. For example, say that you have a letter that needs to be mailed. You go to your desk and find one forty-four cent stamp and one five cent stamp. Which stamp is the most important? Would the letter reach its destination if you use just one of the stamps? No! Each stamp is important and must be put to work if the letter is to go. It is much the same way with the work of the local congregation. For desired goals to be achieved, each individual member must contribute his part. Who is to say that one member is more valuable than another? Each is needed and each is valuable ...

Individuals working together can serve to make the local congregation stronger. If we strive toward this goal, God will be glorified, and in the process, the church will also be richly blessed.

Selected from "The Lord's Way"