WHY I SHOULD COMMIT TO THE
LOCAL CHURCH
We are in a rapidly changing society that
is highly mobile. Because of this and many
other factors, people are no longer committed
to the corner grocery store, the local gas
station or drug store, etc.
This has caused us to lose much of the
loyalty that our parents practiced. Unfortunately,
these same characteristics carry over to
the local church. Many people lack loyalty
and commitment to a local body of believers,
and this has caused some serious problems
in the Body of Christ.
The word "church" has a different
meaning today than when compared to it's
original meaning in the days of the early
church.
The church is not a building. The church
is not a religious institution. It is the
family of the committed, the convenant community
where we are brothers and sisters in fellowship
with Christ.
THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE...IT IS GOD'S PRIMARY
PROGRAM TO WIN THE LOST IN THIS WORLD.
Why is a local church needed? Many christians
say they don't need one.
As the pastor of Old Town I want to show
how vitally important it is for you and
your family to be intricately connected
to the church.
I FIND SIX REASONS WHY BELIEVERS NEED TO
BE LOYAL AND COMMITTED TO A LOCAL CHURCH
1. You receive a covering from the local
church
Eleven Hebrew words are used, which are
translated covering. These eleven words
are very close in meaning and can be narrowed
down to two major thoughts.
A. Blotting out. Man needs a covering to
blot out sin in his life. (Christ provides
this.)
B. A protective covering. Man needs his
life protected from the attacks of the enemy.
(The church and right living provide this.)
The Hebrew word also brings out the thought
of making a hedge or a fence in order to
protect and guard that which is valued and
loved.
There is spiritual protection under the
covering of the local church. When one leaves
the covering of the church, he is exposed
to an onslaught of the devil's attacks,
such as evil spirits (Acts 19:12-16), deception
(I Timothy 4:1), spiritual storms (Matt.
7:24-25), false teachings (II Peter 2:1),
and many more. Through the years I have
witnessed many people who have left the
church hurt or offended or have remained
by being tied in to the local church. It
is here that you are loved and cared for
and receive solid teaching to help you through.
A WOLF ALWAYS PREYS UPON THE WOUNDED OR
STRAY SHEEP.
The church can give protection from attitudes
such as pride, independence, a hardened
heart, rebellion, moral impurity, etc.
2. You receive Pastoral Care in the local
church.
Heb. 13:17 says that godly shepherds care
for and look after the spiritual condition
of the flock, giving an account unto the
Lord for their souls.
We all need love, security, friendship,
fellowship, and help during troubled times.
One thing is for sure, every one of us will
go through them.
As shepherd of this church, I am only accountable
to the extent that you will allow me to
be, through your level of submission to
Old Town as your home church. We are on
this journey through life together. God
shows us week by week how we are to prepare
ourselves for the next leg of the race,
and if you're not here, you will miss the
instruction.
3. Your family is strengthened by being
a part of the local church.
You will receive teaching on issues that
will strengthen and encourage the family
unit. Ministries to adults, teens and children
are geared and presented at the appropriate
age levels. When parents uproot their family
and move from church to church, children
are taught spiritual instability, and it
demonstrates how to be critical of spiritual
authority.
Also available is counseling for difficult
situations and elders and intercessors who
will seek God with and for you.
4. You are accurately taught the Word of
God.
As your pastor, my heart is to minister
and teach under the anointing of God. I
depend upon Him each week during hours of
preparation for teaching and preaching.
5. You are a part of God's team, the church,
which is The Body of Christ.
Unity of vision and purpose is a key to
accomplishing anything for God. The Body
collectively can do so much more for the
kingdom than individuals scattered out doing
their own thing.
6. You are able to develop and find your
place of service in the Body of Christ.
God is the great gift giver and each of
us have been given talents or gifts for
a specific purpose in the church. We will
give an account some day for what we did
with the talent He gave us. The church helps
us find our talent and it gives us the opportunities
to use it for the Kingdom of God.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO BE GOD'S
AMBASSADORS HERE ON EARTH.
That purpose is accomplished by five essentials
of the Christian Life
1. Worship
2. The Word of God
3. Prayer
4. Fellowship
5. Evangelism
These can only be accomplished as you commit
to the local church (Old Town) by:
~ Attending church regularly.
~ Discovering your place of ministry.
~ Select at least one of our prayer meetings
and begin praying for the needs of others.
~ Obey, submit and pray for the leadership
of the church.
~ Never gossip about the church or others
in the church.
~ Support the church with your tithes and
offerings.
~ Develop a servant's spirit.
~ Determine in your heart if anyone offends
you, you will immediately forgive them and
will not hold it against them.
It is NOT possible to be a vibrant growing
christian without being closely involved
in a local church.
My desire, if you call me your pastor,
is to see you grow in the Lord and live
a victorious life for Him.
By: Donald H. Dinninger, Pastor
Old Town C.O.C. Missions Ministry
The goal of the Mission's Ministry at Old
Town C.O.C. is to have a strategic part in
fulfilling the great commission by reaching
the lost by showing god's love in our communities
and beyond..
Find out how you can get involved in a
missions trip this year.
