What would your church be like if every member was just like you? This challenging question reminds us that we can make a difference in our local churches.
Here are 5 key ways that you can build up your church.
1) Stand behind your leaders.
Being in the ministry is a tough job. Pastors and elders face a barrage of spiritual attack, discouragement, and conflicts within the church. They need our prayers, our support, and our love. Don’t forget to tell your leaders that you love them and you’re praying for them. Give them gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or just because. Stop by their office with a Tim’s card to show your appreciation. Discourage people from gossiping about them. If you stand behind your pastor, you can be a huge encouragement to him and a motivation to keep going.
At our church in Prince Albert, we are so grateful for our pastor, David Webster, and we want to support him in every way we can.
2) Be a doer of the Word.
In James 1:22, the Bible warns us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Imagine yourself finishing lunch, looking in the mirror, and noticing that you have a huge splotch of ketchup on your cheek. Would you ignore it or wipe it off? A logical person would wipe it off, of course. Yet how often do we listen to a powerful sermon and walk out the door unchanged? How often do we walk around with “ketchup” on our face? Let’s apply the truths we learn to our daily lives. At our local church’s prison ministry, we want to be doers of the Word.
3) Be faithful to church.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching…” (Hebrews 10:25)
At our local church’s prison ministry, we believe that going to church is essential for our spiritual growth. If we are honest with ourselves, we don’t always feel like going to church. However, we need church. We need the encouragement and accountability of other believers and the preaching of God’s Word. We’re not meant to live the Christian life alone. Instead of skipping church when we don’t feel like it, we need to be faithful in attending our local church. God will bless us for it!
4) Give to God’s work.
According to the Bible, God wants His people to be generous. The Bible teaches the concept of a tithe or giving 10% of your income to God’s work. Each church needs the financial support of its people to keep running. Churches have expenses such as heating, electricity, salaries, etc. We ought to be cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7) and faithfully contribute to our local church.
5) Put others first.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith..” (Galatians 6:10) At our church in Prince Albert, we want to look for ways to serve each other. Perhaps there is a young mom who could use a listening ear + a batch of freshly baked cookies. Or maybe there is a college student who needs a godly mentor. As we grow in our faith, we learn both how to serve others and how to graciously receive from others as well.
But what if you don’t have a local church? If you’re near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, why not join us at our church? We’d love to meet you! Or just search online for “church in [your hometown].” Getting plugged into a strong local church is so important for spiritual growth.
________________________________________________________________
Are you searching? Jesus has the answers for addictions and stubborn habits. For more information, send the Crossmans a private message here on Facebook or come to a church service at Prince Albert Baptist Church. Take the first step in a walk of freedom!
For more information, call (306) 940-9554 or email anchorofhopeheb@gmail.com
