One thing immediately stands out in illustrating Christians as enthusiasts. As children of God, we should all have a common interest to tell others of Christ. No one is exempt and all are expected to have grown to a point to be teachers (Hebrews 5:12). This is unlike certain individuals who are in a company of music enthusiasts who have no interest in playing or who may enjoy hearing it for a while. The very thing that calls us and assembles us together in Christ is what the world will see us doing together. True, some may do it better than others, as when a shepherd is leading the way, but no one is sitting on the sidelines or watching this game from their seat. Seeing that everyone is an enthusiast, no one would be seen passing money as a substitute for their work. They want to work because it identifies them as disciples of Christ and anyone caught trying to fulfill, by proxy, what they are supposed to desire from their hearts have bought into this lie that membership into the organization is the ticket into heaven.
Weight Loss Illustration
Some people choose to join a weight loss program by joining an organization. But, to suggest that they must join one to loose weight is not an accurate statement. This is exactly what is being taught with reference to the “local church.” It is taught that each individual must join “a church” to be pleasing to God. I have not found the organization in the Bible that I must join and through which I must do the will of God. That I must do the will of God is clear but that I must join an organization to do it is not clear. The very fact that we have so many local church organizations across this country is proof that the majority believe in this “church joining.” This is similar to a person deciding to commit to a plan to loose weight. He/she may perceive her effort as a life altering change that will affect the rest of their life or may just want to lose weight. We believe the one that sees the efforts as a different lifestyle best illustrates the relationship of saints in a given area. Our interaction with each other should not look like good members of a club who always attend the meetings, pay membership dues and do volunteer work for the organization’s programs. Instead, their lives are being transformed by a daily commitment to God and one’s neighbor while sharing their faith with each other throughout the day. One can be a good church member (and there are many) and not manifest this radical change of life.
If one has not just joined an organization with a certain diet plan but has chosen to become healthy by altering their habits and lifestyle that affects every day, then mutual encouragement results among others with the same drive. They don’t want to go to the pep rally. They want to change their lives and choose to bond with others of the same commitment who can help them reach their goals.
Each one is ultimately held accountable to discipline themselves and adopt a lifestyle change of eating to ensure the loss of weight and better health. No one can do it for them just as no one can commit me to God. I must do it. Being in the same position, with the same goals, struggles, mutual care and understanding, we can not only hold each other accountable to eat only the right food groups in the proper amounts, but we can encourage each other not to give up.
This will exclude many people because they are unwilling to commit so much to this goal, thinking it’s too extreme or fanatical. They might be willing to go the weekly weigh-ins, but they have other interests and pursuits in life than their diet. This illustrates the mindset of a majority who “go to church” each week and leave to follow their other interests (cf. Mark 4:7). With any work, plans are included and organization is involved. Especially among those who are fanatical about their new way of life, they will interact with each other and cooperate with each other. Still, they are doing the work and have made the commitment whether anyone joins them or not.
This class of people does not form an organization to give mutual encouragement and share each other’s lives. They are not compelled to write a membership list of those who want to contribute to the organization committed to helping others lose weight. Such an organization may have these elements: (1) Business name and federal ID with business location and operating account (2) Annual membership fees (3) Publications of weight loss books and videos (3) Classes and web seminars (4) Lectures (5) Call in support group. All of these benefits require a staff, the hiring of professional speakers and/or writers. It includes publications, book stores, and a marketing/advertising campaign to build revenue to operate.
The above examples only illustrate the difference between the cooperation of individual brethren and the formation of an organization. Eventually, you have some who are more focused on keeping the organization afloat than the original commitment to a transformed life. Here is a a small list of problem areas that the leaders of the organization must face: (1) Lack of funds to operate and necessary repairs of the facility, (2) Search for good help involving firing and hiring, (3) maintaining equipment, and (4) managing people problems who do not agree or just can not seem to get along. To fine-tune things, efforts are made to create a public relations department, marketing department, and other departments for maintenance, training, etc.
What began as a simple work of two or more individuals committed to this single cause has now developed into something altogether different. Members of the organization continue to pay their dues, support the various divisions within the company and are committed to the growth of the organization. Meanwhile, members of the organization have added more weight, developed unhealthy eating habits, and have lost the drive to tell others, while maintaining their own personal exercise regiment. They still hold the training department accountable to tell folks about the organization and the benefits of becoming a member. After all, they donate a certain percentage of their income to ensure that work is done.
Membership in the organization begins to replace the diligent application of individual work. It robs individuals of their contribution by the demand for professional speakers, and a strong quality singing voice to lead “the public” in songs.