The Courage to be Known

The Vulnerability to Write What’s True

I was talking with a friend from the church where I was a pastor, and we were discussing the fact that he did not want to join a small group. I said, “But it’s a requirement for membership.”

He asked, “Why? Does the Bible say we have to be in a small group to be a member of a church?”

I said, “No, but your leaders think it’s a good way to make sure you are in community with other Christians.”

He said, “Thanks, but I am in community with other Christians, so I don’t need the small group right now.”

I said, “Well… it’s a requirement.”

He said, “How can that be? When we are saved, we are saved into the Church without any requirement except to believe that Jesus is God and that He died for us. We repent and receive it. Then we are in the Church. And if we are in the Church, why would a local church withhold what Jesus has not withheld?”

“Ummmm…” I said.

He went on, “You can have membership requirements for a Christian club, but not a church. Not requirements beyond what Jesus gives for salvation.”

“Ummmm…” I said. “Huh… you’re right.”

After this, I spoke with the other elders, we discussed it, and we did away with the membership requirements that went beyond salvation and a general commitment to come to church.

I became wiser as a result of that conversation.

A dear woman in our paid Substack weekly Zoom community recently opened up about her fear of “putting [her]self out there.”

It is a legitimate concern, because within every platform there lurk critics who have nothing better to do than tear down those who are trying to make a difference.

But besides those types, there are also good people who disagree with you, and if you can tell the difference between the two, the good people can be helpful.

Becoming wiser and honing your message works like this, assuming you are more interested in truth than certainty, which you should be:

1. You believe something deeply.
   
   
2. You tell the world.
   
   
3. Some people are challenged by what you said and push back.
   
   
4. You consider their viewpoint.
   
   
5. You either believe your view even more, or you change your mind because you are convinced they are right and you are wrong.
   
   

Imagine what would happen if, after carefully forming our views, we dared to share them, dared to listen to critical feedback, and dared to stick to our guns or change our minds depending on what we actually thought.

The Church would gain a more robust doctrine and praxis. We would all become wiser, the world would be improved, and God would be glorified.

Your life would benefit from aligning with truth wherever you find it.

As for the trolls, we can ignore them and keep publishing until Jesus comes back.

Proverbs 9:9

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”

Jeff

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