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Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership1

AIM: To balance the zeal for correction with understanding of submission

to pastoral authority and the of exercise grace in the church.
TEXT: Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16, 29-32; Colossians 3:12-14

INTRODUCTION:
David Cloud writes the following:
A few years ago I received a letter from a young couple who exhorted me as follows:
Your book on separation is very good, but you may want to add a caveat that a person must
have a better church to separate to before he separates from a church. We were shocked at the
liberal doctrines held by the fundamental churches in our city.

Later they wrote Bro. Cloud and shared more detail about these things.
The following are specific things that they mentioned:
(1) Their former pastor did not teach that women should not work outside the home,
and the wife of the associate pastor worked.
(2) The church held parties or fellowships on Valentines Day, Halloween, and
Christmas.
(3) The pastor allowed a divorced person to work in the bus ministry.
(4) The pastor failed to correct publicly certain erroneous statements, which were given
during testimony times and certain (supposed) erroneous statements, which were
made by visiting preachers.
(5) The pastor failed to do anything about missionaries who joked and told stories in
the pulpit.
(6) Though the church took a stand for the KJV, this man did not think there was
sufficient teaching on the subject of Bible versions by the pastor.
(7) The pastor used humour to break the tension in his preaching, whereas this one
felt that sober-mindedness required that such levity in the pulpit cease.
(8) The pastor seemed to prefer to let God change people about such things as
appearance (long hair, ear rings on men, etc.) rather than approach them directly.

The couple eventually wrote and said they had separated from this fundamental Baptist
church and from its pastor because of his liberal teaching on remarriage, women working
outside the home and his refusal to correct error.

1
The first edition of the following article appeared in O Timothy magazine in 1993 under the title The Other
Side of Separation. Later published an updated edition under the title Grace and Authority in the Church. In
1999, the title was changed to Keys to Fruitful Church Membership. This November 23, 2010 edition is a
rewriting and enlargement of the latter. David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service,
http://www.wayoflife.org/wayoflife/
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 2

Folks, it is natural that in any church we will find things with which we
do not agree.
To practice Bible separation based on the type of things discussed in this letter is NOT
proper or healthy. These are NOT matters of liberalism or apostasy. These are matters of
preference, or, at best, relatively minor issues. The Church body and its individual
members must deal with many such things.
While we are to separate from error, we are also exhorted to submit ourselves to pastoral
authority and to exercise grace in the church.
There are many types of things with which we can disagree in a church while continuing to
submit ourselves to God-ordained authority. There does not have to be a contradiction here.

Some believers have separated from practically all churches because none of them take what
they believe is a proper stand in all matters. Many times these are good people who want to
stand for the Word of God and who want to contend for the truth in a confused and apostate
hour in which we live. Many others, though, are contentious people who simply refuse
to submit to God-ordained authority. I praise the Lord for anyone who has a zeal for the
truth in this wicked hour, but I also believe there are some important lessons in the Word of
God that can help us deal with the complex matter of church membership.

I believe the following thoughts can help us to have a more fruitful attitude toward the
assembly in spite of the many problems and imperfections we find there. I have thought
and prayed a lot about these things, so please bear with me while I offer seven things we
must know and do in order to be a fruitful member of a New Testament church.
I think of these things as Keys To Fruitful Church Membership.
NO ECUMENISM OR COMPROMISE
Let me hasten to say that I am utterly opposed to ecumenism and compromise. I realize that
New Evangelicals and ecumenists take some of the things we will deal with in this message
and misuse them to excuse their disobedience. They speak much of love and liberty, but they
take verses on these subjects out of context and refuse to deal with the enormous amount of
material in the Word of God on other subjects, such as separation, rebuking sin and error,
apostasy, and discipline.

This message intends to deal with GRACE and LIBERTY and SUBMISSION to the church,
but do not think thereby the responsibility to stand for truth and righteousness is being
ignored.

For almost all my Christian life (that is since 1961) I have stood unapologetically for Bible
separation. In this instance, though, I want to deal with other equally important matters.

1ST KEY TO A FRUITFUL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS THAT WE MUST HAVE AN

ABIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
A. The first and foremost key to fruitful church membership is a real
and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 3

Jesus asked His twelve apostles in John 6:67-69 Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter
answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are
sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

In John 15:4 He exhorted, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

1 John 2:28 John reminds us, And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we
may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1. In order to submit to godly pastoral leadership and to have spiritual discernment
to know right from wrong in churches, one must be born again and have the
indwelling Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:1-16).
a. Many church members who cause unnecessary problems in the church and
who injure the welfare of the church do so because they do not have a saving
relationship with Jesus Christ.
b. They do not have spiritual discernment, they walk after the flesh rather than
the Spirit, they do not know how to submit to authority, and they do not care
how they harm the church, because they are not born again.
c. The Bible warns that God will deal severely with those who harm His
churches. In 1 Cor. 3:17 we read, If any man defile the temple of God, him shall
God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. The reason many
troublemakers do not fear Gods retribution for their actions in the churches
is that they are not saved.
2. In order to be a fruitful church member year after year, one must not only be
saved but he also must abide in Christ.
a. The believer must walk in fellowship with Christ the Saviour day by day.
1John 3:6 says, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not
seen him, neither known him. To abide in Christ is to be dead to sin (cf. Rom.
6). The one who habitually lives in sin has NEVER been transformed by
Christs life-changing power and purity.
b. When we walk with Christ and have our eyes upon Him, we do not become
offended at what man or our brother does in this world. Psalm 119:165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
1) This is why some church members throw up their hands and quit or
become disgruntled and spiritually ineffective.
a) They witness a pastor who fails in some aspect of the ministry
OR they experience some such serious problem in the church
b) Whereas other church members keep on for the Lord, keep serving
and loving in spite of any discouragement that comes their way.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 4

2) Of course we are disappointed when men fail us, but we dont quit or
turn aside because our eyes are upon One who never fails!
B. Abiding in Jesus Christ is the Most Crucial Key to fruitful church
membership.

2ND KEY TO A FRUITFUL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS WE MUST UNDERSTAND

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH
A. To be a fruitful church member is to understand that God ordained
the church.
1. It is a divine institution and it is the centre of Gods work in the world today and
is to continue until Jesus returns.
2. The Bible emphasizes that the church is Gods chosen means of accomplishing
His purposes in this age.
a. There are more than 100 references to the church in the New Testament.
This shows the emphasis that the Holy Spirit has put upon the church.
b. The vast majority of those references are unquestionably to the local
assembly, not to a general or prospective aspect of the church.
3. Men have corrupted churches, but the local church is Gods plan.
a. The Lord Jesus said in Mat. 16:18, I will build my church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. The church is Christs program.
b. The local church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:16), and that is
a church with ordained leadership elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3:1, 8; Phil.
1:1; Bishop, Overseer, Elder and Pastor same man Elders as Overseers rule
1 Tim. 5:17-19; Titus 1:5, 7; Guards the truth Tit. 1:9; 1Pet. 5:1-4; Oversight of
finances Acts 11:30; shepherd the flock Acts 20:17, 28-30).
B. Most of the New Testament was written directly to churches.
1. Even those portions not written directly to a church refer to the church.
a. The theme of Acts is the planting and multiplication of the first churches.
b. The Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) were written to instruct
church planters in their work.
2. Even the general epistles, which are not written to particular churches, always
have the churches in mind.
a. Hebrews refers to the church in chapters 10 & 13. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts
Gods people not to forsake the assembling of themselves together.
b. Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24; 1Thess. 5:12-13 exhorts the Christians are to obey
church rulers, while 1 Tim 5:17-18 makes the point that elders who labour in
word and doctrine are worthy of respect and remuneration.
c. The last chapter of James (5:14) refers to the church. Those who are sick are
to call for the elders of the church.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 5

d. The final chapter of 1 Peter also refers to the church, in exhorting elders in
their duties.
e. John refers to the church in his 3rd epistle, when he mentions the proud
Diotrephes (vs. 9), who didnt want to allow the Apostle John to come to
church.
f. The Book of Revelation, of course, is written to seven churches that existed
in that day.
3. Consider, too, that there is no Bible instruction about the discipline and watch
care of Christians apart from the church.
a. There is no instruction about leadership among Christians apart from the
church.
b. There is no instruction about the work of Christians apart from the church.
c. The entire life and work of Gods people for this age appears in the context of
the local assembly.
C. We must also understand what a church is.
1. A proper New Testament church has certain biblical ingredients.
It is not merely a group of Christians meeting for prayer and Bible study (as is
experienced all over Ireland).
2. Paul wrote to Titus about church work in Crete. The gospel had been preached
and there were believers who were meeting together, but that was not sufficient.
Paul instructed Titus that certain things were lacking (Titus 1:5).
What were those things?
a. The thing that was lacking was proper leadership and organization. For this
cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting
[i.e. lacking], and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee (Titus 1:5).
b. This is also what we see in the book of Acts. When Paul and Barnabas raised
up groups of believers in various towns, they were careful to ordain elders in
every church (Acts 14:23).
c. A proper New Testament church, therefore, is a body of baptized believers
who are congregated together under the oversight of qualified and
ordained pastor/elders and who are following the pattern of government
and accomplishing the work described in the apostolic epistles.
3. It is clear from Scripture that it is Gods will that every believer be a faithful and
fruitful member of a sound New Testament church. That is what we see in Acts 2.
Those who were saved on the day of Pentecost continued stedfastly in the apostles
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42).
a. If there is not such a church in the area, the establishment of such a church
must be the highest priority for a believer.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 6

b. A believer should NEVER be content merely to listen to preaching sermons

on a cassette player, or to read sermons from a book, or to listen to preaching
on the radio or television, or to meet together with a loose-knit group of
believers without proper leadership and organization.
c. The reason you should remain a faithful member of a local church is not
that you have found perfect pastors and perfect churches, but because you
know that this is Gods will and anything less would displease Him.
d. It is should be your understanding of the doctrine of the church that keeps
you being faithful in attendance, in spite of grave imperfections you may
have found in churches.

3RD KEY TO A FRUITFUL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS WE MUST UNDERSTAND

THERE IS NO PERFECT CHURCH.
A. This has been mentioned but it needs to be emphasized very
stronglywe must understand is that there are no perfect churches.
It sounds like a simple matter, but it is not. It is something that must be relearned frequently.
1. Even the early churches founded and pastored by the apostles had problems.
In fact, there were very serious problems in many of the early churches.
a. Consider the church at Corinth.
1) The members were carnal and divided. There was wrangling,
contentions and strife, even before the Lords Table.
2) The members were choosing sides as to who was their favourite
preacher, based on whether they baptised by them or liked their manner
of teaching or whatever.
3) They refused to discipline one of their own although he was living in
open fornication with his fathers wife!
4) They were taking each other to court.
5) They were getting drunk during the Lords Supper.
6) They were misusing their spiritual gifts.
7) They allowed false teachers to discredit the Apostle Paul. What a church!
Yet Paul said in 1 Cor. 1:4, I thank my God always on your behalf, for the
grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.
b. The 7 churches mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3 also had many serious
problems, including spiritual coldness, false teachers, and immorality.
c. In Phil. 4:2 two women in the church at Philippi had to be corrected for being
antagonistic toward one another.
d. Gal. 2:11-14 records Paul had to rebuke Peter face to face for his hypocrisy,
e. Missionaries Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:39 had a contention that was so
sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 7

Need we go on? There never has been a church that did not have problems,
and the simple reason for this is that church members are sinners.

2. Therefore, it isnt surprising to find many problems in independent Baptist

churches today.
a. We find churches using methods of the world to attract and keep people
coming.
1) Sunday School promotions that dont reward excellency in conduct or
spirituality, but turn the church of Jesus Christ into a carnival.
2) Extreme levity in the pulpit that resembles stand-up comedy.
b. Preaching that has little biblical content.
c. Exaltation and favouritism of men above that which is proper.
d. Shallow, manipulative methods of evangelism with an overemphasis on
decisions and prayers rather than repentance and regeneration.
e. The business of the church is conducted not as a faith ministry dependant on
God, but one that devises secular means to maintain & finance itself.
B. Because of issues like these, some feel compelled to leave such a
church.
1. The problems mentioned are wrong, and we should try to avoid them as much as
possible; but we can learned some things through these experiences and develop
a more balanced attitude toward church problems in general.
2. In spite of the fact that all churches are imperfect, we do not see in Scripture any
healthy examples of Christians who disregarded their membership or attendance
in the assembly. In fact, those who separated themselves were in some cases
considered unregenerate. John says, They went out from us, but they were not of us;
for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went
out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us (1 Jn. 2:19).

4TH KEY TO A FRUITFUL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP WE MUST EXERCISE

KEEN SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT, DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE
IMPORTANT AND THE LESS IMPORTANT
A. The 4th key to fruitful church membership is keen spiritual
discernment.
NOTICE the following Scriptures:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and
have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone (Matt. 23:23).

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all
knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Rom. 15:14).
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 8

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first
principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For
every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat
belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:12-14).
1. In Matthew 23:23, the Lord Jesus Christ taught that not all things in the Bible are
of equal importance. Some biblical teachings are weightier than some others.
a. Everything in the Bible has some importance, BUT everything is not of equal
importance. Knowing the difference between the two requires a thorough
knowledge of Gods Word and keen spiritual discernment.
b. Such discernment comes only through long and diligent study and through
exercise of the senses to discern good and evil.
1) Romans 15:14 Paul told the church at Rome that the reason they were
able to admonish one another was because they were full of goodness
and filled with knowledge.
2) 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul exhorted Timothy to study the Scripture so his
leadership would be acceptable of God and not ashamed for wrong
decisions.
3) Hebrews 5:12-14 Folks here are scolded for not putting into effective
use what they have learned. Such people lack the skill, which goes with
maturity and results in the ability to make the right choices in matters.
Such ability is exactly what is possessed by those who have trained
themselves to distinguish good from evil!
2. The folks who wrote David Cloud that they were separating from their
independent Baptist church lacked the maturity to distinguish between the
weighty matters of biblical truth and those matters that are less significant.
a. Although they lacked such maturity, they felt they had better discernment
than even their godly pastor. This happens frequently.
b. In fact, it is a characteristic of young or immature Christians.
1) Someone has wisely stated, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
This is one reason why God forbids a novice to be a church leader (1 Tim.
3:6).
2) The new/young Christian begins to gain some knowledge of the Bible
and the ministry, and suddenly he knows it all and tries to straighten
out everybody else, blithely ignorant of his own serious shortcomings.
3) This happens frequently to young Christians who are in Bible
College/School/Institute OR who are freshly out.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 9

a) They have some knowledge, but often they dont have the experience
and maturity to use it correctly.
b) If they are not careful with their newly found knowledge & zeal, they
can cause more problems than they solve!
B. Pastors and churches are to be judged by the Word of God.
1 Thess. 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good
1. Church members cannot do this until they first gain the necessary biblical
knowledge and discernment required for such judgment.
a. New/young Christians need to be extremely cautious and patient about
exercising judgment against the pastor.
b. Unless the matter in question is something that is exceedingly plain from the
Bible and unless there are mature Christians who can confirm the judgment,
it is wise for the immature Christian to recognize the pastors greater
knowledge and maturity.
c. The believer can differentiate between the weightier matters of Gods Word
(Mat. 23:23) and the less weighty by calling them fatal and non-fatal
teachings. That is a good distinction. It does not mean that the non-fatal
teachings of Gods Word are of no importance; it simply means they are less
important than some other matters.
1) Some of the weightier matters of Gods Word in relation to churches are
things such as sound doctrine, the gospel, Christian love, godliness,
separation from error, soul-winning and missions.
2) Some of the less weighty matters are things like the music program
(within reason), Sunday School materials, promotions, youth activities
(again, within reason), special speakers, and political involvement.
3) Other good examples of less weighty matters are the list of eight things
mentioned at the beginning of this message: whether or not the church
has fellowships at Christmas or jokes being told from the pulpit, etc.
2. I am not saying the child of God should ignore Christian rock music or false
teaching or unqualified leadership or anything like that.
a. We are NOT to be blind to things that are wrong.
b. The simple truth is that not all matters are of equal importance, and we must
learn to weigh various issues of church life in order to exercise mature
judgment.
3. This is seen this in Christs judgment of the churches in Revelation 2-3.
a. The problems Jesus rebuked were of a truly serious nature.
1) He did not rebuke a church because of joking in the pulpit; He did not
rebuke a church for having a church social on Valentines Day or for
using recorded music during the special singing.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 10

2) This is not meant to be facetious, or trying to make light of the less

important things, but the fact remains that Christ did not treat all church
problems with the same degree of seriousness, and we must follow His
example.
b. This is exactly what we see in the church epistles.
1) The problems rebuked by the Apostles under inspiration of the Holy
Spirit were of a very serious nature.
2) The Church at Corinth was not rebuked for allowing a divorced man to
work in the evangelistic ministry, but for drunkenness and immorality
and carnal divisions.

5TH KEY TO A FRUITFUL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP WE MUST UNDERSTAND

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONVICTION AND PREFERENCE.
A. We need to understand the difference between having a conviction
and holding to a preference.
1. Conviction based upon a clear teaching of Gods Word. Preferences are not.
2. A Christian can have preferences on all sorts of church matters, but he is not at
liberty to make his preference a law for others.
This is discussed in Romans 14:1-6 << TURN.
a. This passage is often misused by ecumenists to support their phoney idea of
legalism. They claim that it is not right to judge others even in matters of
doctrinebut that is nonsense.
b. It is not legalism to cry out against sin, to judge false teachers, to set
standards for Gods people based on the clear teaching of the Word of God,
or to demand that Christians obey the details of the Bible.
c. In Romans 14, the Lord is forbidding us to judge others IN MATTERS THAT
ARE NOT CLEARLY TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE.
1) Two examples are given: what we eat and how we respect holy days.
These are issues that the New Testament does not address.
2) There are no dietary laws for Christians, and there are no Old Testament
holy days that we must keep. These are matters of Christian liberty.
3) We are free to eat meat or not to eat meat, but we are not free to judge
others by our conscience in this matter or in any other matter that is not
plainly taught in the Scripture.
3. When the Scripture speaks plainly, we must speak; but when the Scripture has
no plain word, we have no authority to speak.
a. In such matters one is free to follow their conscience and the Lords leading
in all matters for their personal life.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 11

b. BUT you are NOT free to make your conscience a law for others in areas of
Christian liberty. That is the teaching of Romans 14.
B. Many of the things mentioned earlier in this message fall into this
category of preference.
1. There is the matter, for example, of holding fellowships on Valentines Day,
Christmas, and Halloween.
a. Obviously it is wrong to be involved in witchcraft, idolatry, or immorality,
BUT as for the days themselves, they are nothing. The Lord made the days.
b. Why would it be wrong to have a church fellowship on October 31, as long
as the church does not promote things associated with evil, such as sorcery,
witchcraft, or similar things connected with ghosts and goblins?
2. If the church tried to incorporate such worldly, evil things into the youth
activities, this should be resisted loudly; but if they are simply having a youth
activity on or near October 31 in order to reach the unsaved or be a blessing to
Christian young people, there is nothing wrong with this.
a. It is strictly a matter of preference.
b. Our church has a Harvest Fellowship at Halloween time, primarily to
provide an activity to help keep young people away from the wicked things
that go on in the world then. I see nothing unscriptural about this.
3. Likewise, the Lord made February 14.
a. The Lord made romance. If a church wants to have some sort of fellowship
on that day, so be it.
b. Dont get me wrong. I am not giving a blanket endorsement of the worlds
holidays. There is much that is evil there.
c. Cupid is connected with a pagan god of lust, and the Christian must avoid
every form of immorality; but I dont believe it is wrong for a church to have
a fellowship or some sort of sweetheart banquet at Valentines Day for
married couples, or for sincere expressions love to be given to friends or
relatives.
d. There doesnt have to be immorality or lasciviousness involved.
It should be obvious that is what God forbids.
4. There is freedom of conscience in such matters. These are matters of preference.
a. If a person doesnt want to have any type of get together on such days, he
shouldnt have them.
b. He also doesnt have to participate in something at the church, if his
conscience will not allow him to do so, but he shouldnt make his own
opinions about these things a law for others. God has made no such laws.
C. Some may to groan when they hear this, but this principle of
conscience is applicable for certain Christmas practices, as well.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 12

1. We know that the Christmas season has come from Rome and from paganism.
a. I am as opposed to Romanism as anyone and have numerous times preached
and taught against Romes errors.
b. While I am sickened at the commercialism and debauchery that characterizes
the Christmas holidays on the part of some, I dont think it is wrong to enjoy
some aspects of that season. There is Christian liberty in many of these
things.
c. Definitely we must not be involved with Santa Claus, which is a combination
of a pagan god and a Catholic saint, but a person can enjoy the social and
family aspects of the season without worshipping false gods or committing
sacrilege.
d. It probably isnt the wisest thing to set up Christmas trees in and it is a
definite mistake having a Santa visit the church, but I dont think it is wrong
to have a nativity play and sing some of the Christmas carols that are
Scriptural and otherwise involve ones self in activities which do not bring
dishonour to the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. It is important that the church recognize that Christmas celebrated by the world
is NOT a biblical celebration of the birth of Christ.
a. We must not try to Christianize paganism. That is the essence of Romanism.
b. The only holy day God has specifically given to the churches is the first day
of the week, the resurrection day. This is what we are to focus on, but it is
also true that the Bible does speak much about Christs birth.
c. The world has taken the celebration of Christs birth and combined it with all
sorts of commercialism and paganism, but that doesnt mean we cant make
this a special time to celebrate the Saviours coming for sinful man.
3. This is a delicate subject, and there are strong feelings on all sides.
a. I am not trying to defend Christmas, but simply talking about ones attitude
toward those things, which other people or churches do that I might not
agree with, but which are not directly and plainly condemned in the Word of
God.
b. Effort has been made to illustrate this with some concrete things that we face
in everyday life.
1) I dont expect every one to agree with me in all of these matters, but I am
trying to illustrate that we have liberty in matters not directly addressed
in Scripture.
2) The very fact that each of these matters is highly controversial illustrates
my point. I must be careful that I am not trying to make my own
preference in some issue a law for others.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 13

D. While we must stand for the Word of God in every detail, we must
also be careful that we not take away God-given liberty and hold our
own conscience up as a law for all.
1. Anything which is not clearly taught in Scripture falls into this category
whether or not a church uses musical instruments, the type of music that a
church uses (we know that some types of music are clearly wrong, but there is
also a lot of liberty in the area of music), times and days of services, evangelistic
methods, how to conduct children's ministries. The list is very long.
2. Nonetheless, it is a blessing to see that God has given us much liberty in Christ
and that in these matters each Christian and each church is free to follow the
Holy Spirits leading.

6TH KEY TO A FRUITFUL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP WE MUST UNDERSTAND

AND ACCEPT PASTORAL AUTHORITY
A. Another crucial key in fruitful church membership is a right attitude
toward pastoral authority.
Heb. 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of
God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Heb. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your
souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you.
1. We have looked at the emphasis God has placed on the local church.
a. That emphasis is woven into the very foundation of the NT and is
undeniable. It is Gods will that every Christian be a faithful, fruitful,
contributing member of a sound church.
b. That being the case, it is not surprising that we are exhorted to obey those
who have the rule over us.
2. The verses quoted from Hebrews are strong; we are to obey our church leaders.
They are not to be dictators; they do not have unlimited authority; they are not to
be obeyed unquestioningly; but they ARE rulers.
3. Hebrews uses plain language, and it means exactly what it says.
Not all Christians have equal authority in this world. Some are rulers and the
others are to obey those rulers.
B. The pastors of a church have the major responsibility before the
Lord for the teachings, practices, and direction of that church.
1. The Bible warns that the church leaders watch for our souls and that we must not
cause them grief for that is unprofitable for us.
a. This points to the judgment seat of Christ where every believer will appear
before the judgment seat of Christ to receive judgement concerning things
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 14

done in his bodywhether it be good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10) i.e. whether profitable
or not.
b. Clearly, I f I am a grief to my pastor,
it will result in grief for me at Christs judgment bar.
2. THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION to this, of course, is if the pastor himself is
resisting the Word of God or is failing to obey the Word of God or is leading
contrary to the Word of God in some area of his ministry and is grieved at me
simply for my stand for Gods Word.
a. It is my duty to find a church that is following the Word of God, and I must
then obey and be a blessing to my leaders in that church.
b. I must support that church in every way possible.
That is the will of God for every Christian.
c. The leaders, in turn, will give an account to the Lord for their teaching and
decisions (Heb. 13:17). THEY HOLD THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY,
and I, as a church member, will not give account for everything that goes
on in the church.
3. Obedience and submission does not mean we are to close our eyes to false
teaching and sin, but it DOES mean that the believer is not to try to impose his
views in all matters upon the church and its leaders.
a. The church member must remember he or she is not the pastor of the church;
they therefore dont have the God given gifts, wisdom, the unction, or the
responsibility for that office.
b. The church member is to submit to those who are their pastors, and must
allow those pastors to make decisions with which they might not agree,
nonetheless submitting themselves to the pastors authority because God has
told them to do so.
C. The church member will never find a pastor with whom he agrees
100%.
1. Think about it! This would be impossible. The only one with whom I agree with
100% is myself, and sometimes I disagree with myself!
2. We all know this in theory but the practice of it is often a difficult matter.
The church member must recognize that if they are ever to submit to a pastor,
it will be to an imperfect one.
3. Is it not reasonable to believe that God can guide the man he has placed over the
church?
a. Who is the foolish church member to try to impose their views upon him?
b. The church member must understand to submit to pastoral authority, if they
are to learn to get along in a church and to be a fruitful member.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 15

God works in this world through our imperfections.

This, of necessity, is the way He works in a church.

ILLUSTRATION
The folks referred to in the beginning of the message wrote a letter explaining their
dissatisfaction with their church and who were separating from that church said that the
pastor held what they believe to be a weak position on divorce and remarriage.

By this, they meant that the pastor allowed a divorced person to work in the bus ministry.
The thing to keep in mind is that this is an extremely difficult matter.

I dont believe a divorced man is qualified to be a pastor or a deacon, but I dont believe it is
wrong for a divorced person to work in some ministry of the church. There are difficulties
with any position one might take on this issue, and the more perverted our society becomes,
and the more fragmented our families become, the more difficult it will be to deal with
problems in this area.

The problem with divorce and remarriage is not so much whether a pastor believes
divorce is wrong; practically all Bible-believing pastors believe this. The difficulty
comes in how we treat those who are divorced. Do we allow them to join our church?
Some churches do not allow divorced people to be members.
Does the pastor perform the weddings for those who are divorced or unsaved?
If so, under what conditions?
Do we allow divorced people to serve in the church? If so, in what capacity? Can they
be Sunday School teachers? Can they be ushers? Can they work in the any ministry?

Good churches and their pastors differ in these matters, but examples are things in which a
church member can submit to his rulers, leaving it in the hands of the Lord.

Each pastor will answer to God about these things, and there are many matters like this.
You might disagree with your pastor over his teaching on giving. Some Christians dont
believe tithing is for the New Testament. I dont agree with them, but this is what some
believe, and these will disagree with a church that teaches storehouse tithing.

You might disagree with some of the music in your church.

Some Christians dont like any canned or recorded background music to be played
during the services; others dont like guitars to be used; others dont like gospel
quartets.
In my estimation, none of these things are wrong in themselves; it is the character of
the music that is performed that makes such things right or wrong.
I have heard some spiritual recorded music, and I have heard some unscriptural-
recorded music.
I have heard guitars used in a spiritual manner as well as in a carnal manner.
I have heard spiritual quartets and unspiritual ones.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 16

The point is that there is some room for variety in the music program of the church, and you
probably will not agree with all of the decisions that are made.

You might disagree over the standards that your church has for workers, thinking the
standards are either too strict, or not strict enough.
You might disagree over whether or not a pastor should have a TV and whether or not
he preaches against this.
I would never encourage someone to stay in a church that has low moral standards for
workers and teachers, if the leaders listen to rock music, or wore immodest clothing,
and in which the pastor and leaders watched wicked television programming.
As a church member the pastors might not enforce your exact standards, but that
alone does not mean that they are wrong or that you should leave.

You might disagree with how our church conducts its business meetings.
Some churches dont include women in the business meetings. The women can attend if they
choose, but do not make motions or vote. The men conduct the business. Imagine such a
thing in this feministic society! I am sure there are many who would not agree with this.

You might disagree with some of the missionaries the church supports.

You might disagree with some of the ways the church finances are used.

You might disagree with the kind of or how ministries are run.
You might disagree with:
Materials that are used in Sunday School.
Whether or not promotions are used.
Whether or not puppets and such things are used.
Whether or not there is a bus ministry, or with the way it is operated.

You might have problems with what is or is not said and done at Christmas, or about how
the missions program is conducted.
You might not like some of the special speakers that the pastor brings in.
You might disagree with my pastor over his involvement or lack of involvement in
political and social issues.
You might disagree with the pastor regarding his dealings with erring members.
He might seem too patient, too soft, or too harsh.

Im simply saying that there are many things that we must leave in the hands of the
pastors, and this is never an easy matter.

In every church Ive been a member of Ive disagreed with some things.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 17

There is a time to leave a church over things that we believe are wrong, but we must also
learn to put many things into the hands of the Lord and do what He has told us to do: submit
to the church leadership and be a blessing.

The pastors must be the pastors. They will answer for things that you as church member will
not answer for, and they have an authority that I do not have. This is not to say we are
shirking responsibility; it is obedience to the Bible; and it is wisdom and blessing.

THE 7TH AND FINAL POINT WE MUST UNDERSTAND THERE MUST ALWAYS
BE GRACIOUSNESS IN OUR JUDGMENTS
A. This another crucial key to fruitful church membership!
We need to bathe all of our judgments in love and mercy and
graciousness.
But speaking the truth IN LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ (Eph. 4:15).

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort WITH ALL
LONGSUFFERING and doctrine (2 Tim. 4:2).

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, IN FAITH AND LOVE which is in
Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:13).

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; BUT BE GENTLE UNTO ALL MEN, apt to teach,
PATIENT, IN MEEKNESS instructing those that oppose themselves (2 Tim. 2:24,25).

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one IN THE
SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one anothers
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Gal. 6:1,2).
1. Some of the things mentioned in the letter from the folks who separated from
the fundamental Baptist church where they were a member remind me of these
verses.
2. God tells us that we must always maintain an attitude of meekness, patience, and
compassion when dealing with people about their problems.
3. The folks mentioned some instances in which their pastor supposedly failed to
correct error in the church.
a. While it is crucial to stand for the truth and to rebuke sin and error, there is
also such a thing as wisdom and patience and caution when dealing with
people. You dont necessarily come down hard and publicly on every
problem that arises.
b. These folks complained about the rambling testimony of a new convert.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 18

1) A newly converted woman believed a lady who had recently died went
to Heaven because of the peaceful expression on the face of her corpse.
2) Thats a weird testimony Pastor. To be sure it is, but I dont think it is
something I should necessarily correct publicly. Lack of graciousness and
wisdom can easily turn a slight problem into a major one.
b. These folks complained a deacon who testified that he liked to put God in
impossible situations just to see what He will do.
1) They were shocked that their pastor and the other deacons said Amen
to this.
2) They said this contradicts Matthew 4:5-7, in which the Lord told the
Devil that we are not to tempt God. I dont think this is the case.
3) I dont know for sure, but thinking the best of the man, more than likely,
he deacon was probably just saying that it is a great thing to be in a
situation in which God must do something special to help us, or
something to that effect.
a) A little ditty in a paper called Maranatha!!! said, When God is going
to do something wonderful, He begins with difficulty; if it is going to
be something very wonderful, He begins with an impossibility!
b. That is probably the same idea that the deacon was trying to convey.
His way of saying it might have left something to be desired, but this
is not a serious matter. We must judge such things in a spirit of
graciousness and patience, always giving the benefit of the doubt.
c. These folks mentioned that the song leader said one night that Satan was the
king of this world, by implication that Christ was not king. They said that
since Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King, they felt the title of king is reserved
for Christ. That is not so.
1) Christ is King of kings and Lord of Lords, but there are kings many and
Lords many in this present order of things.
2) Satan is called the god of this world in 2 Cor. 4:4, and the prince of the
power of the air Eph. 2:2.
3) Satan is not necessarily spoken of as king of the world, but I do not
believe it would be wrong to call him that in light of the verses quoted.
4) Satan is king in the hearts of lost people. This issue is a petty matter that
requires more graciousness than that which was displayed by the couple
who complained about it.
B. A pastor has to exercise supernatural wisdom and kindness.
1. This is one reason we should have a tremendously high regard for godly,
scriptural pastors. They must always walk that fine line between caution,
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 19

concern, and compromise, between zeal for the truth and patience with the
erring.
2. Pastors have the most difficult job in the world.
a. If they make mistakes and fail to do everything exactly as we think they
should, we shouldnt be surprised! We must always season our judgments
with grace.
b. Pastors need to be as firm as the rock in their position for truth, but as sweet
as the honey from the rock in their disposition when striving for truth.
1) Thats good advice for any of us, and though I have often fallen very
short of practicing this, it is definitely one of the chief goals of my life and
ministry.
Col. 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought
to answer every man.

1Cor. 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is
not puffed up,

Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christs sake hath forgiven you.
2) I want to be a gracious Christian and a gracious preacher.
Anything less is unChristlike.

CONCLUSION:
There is much more that could be said, but I will stop here. I must add that I am not giving a
blanket recommendation of independent Baptists churches. There are MANY I would not
join because of matters I count too serious to overlook.
There is immorality in some.
Some are New Evangelical in practice.
Some use all sorts of corrupted Bibles.
Some remind me more of a carnival than a church.
Some appear not to know anything of old-fashioned Bible holiness and separation
from the world and have very low or nonexistent standards for dress and
entertainment.
Some use the worlds music.
Some require unquestioning loyalty to the pastor, which the Bible never demands.

Please understand, too, that I am not trying to quench anyones zeal for doing right.
We need more zeal for truth and righteousness, not less. It certainly is not wrong to try to
correct perceived problems in our churches, or to talk to the pastor about things with which
we disagree.
 Seven Keys To Fruitful Church Membership 20

The Bible instructs us to prove all things (1 Thess. 5:21) and to judge all preaching 1 Cor.
14:29-33; 1John 4:1-5. There is a ministry of correction that is taught plainly in Scripture, but I
did not set out to address that subject in this message, but am merely trying to balance the
zeal for correction with some other things that are equally important.

I want to be a blessing to this church and to Gods people everywhere I speak or minister.
BUT nonetheless, as Gods minister, I must also preach the full counsel contained in
Scripture, not just the bits that are easy on the ear and pleasably comforting. Preaching, by it
nature, means there will have to be reproof, rebuke and exhortation also.

The Bible makes it plain that God wants His work to be done through the church; thus it
behoves us to make a supreme effort to submit ourselves to this institution except in matters
of clear doctrinal error and moral corruption.

POSTSCRIPT: The people to whom this wisdom and instruction was addressed did not
receive this counsel. In fact, they cut off all fellowship from Bro. Cloud and counted him as
their enemy and as a compromiser of the truth. The last he heard about them, they were
moving from church to church, becoming increasingly bitter, in search of that ideal
congregation. This is very sad, but almost exactly this same thing can be seen happen many
other times in other churches.

15, 28 May 2005 River Valley BC Leixlip, Co. Kildare

28 Nov. 27, 2010, Morn River Valley BC Leixlip, Co. Kildare