Every member of the church knows that he ought to help the church in every way that is right. However, it cannot be denied that there are some members who hurt the church.

Members who quit hurt the church. The not only loses the effectiveness of the quitter, but the effect they have on other people is very disheartening. They hurt the influence of the church by their lives.

Members who constantly criticize and complain hurt the church. They criticize the elders. They complain about the preacher and the length of his sermons. They criticize the teacher and his teaching methods. They complain about the unfriendliness of other members. Certainly, there are times when correction should be made, but these usually never have a word of appreciation for anyone. they hurt the church.

Members who will not put the kingdom first hurt the church. They will miss services because company comes. They will miss mid-week services to attend a ball-game or scout or school activity. They will miss worship to go to a family get-together. They can buy new cars and TVs but will let the church suffer financially. They hurt the church.

Members who are lazy hurt the church. They will do nothing on their own initiative. They never try to teach a sinner. They never arrange a cottage class or invite others to services. They must constantly have someone pushing them on, or they won’t do anything. The preacher or elders must constantly be rebuking them or they won’t repent and live right. The church needs strong lives who will impart strength to others. Don’t hurt the church by being lazy.

Members who cannot take sound doctrine hurt the church. There are those who are in constant fear that the preacher will be too straightforward in denouncing error or in urging righteous living. These cannot take strong preaching against sin especially when such things as dancing and immodesty are considered. They apologize for the truth and hurt the church by their actions.

These are but a few of those who hurt the church. If you have fallen into one of these classes, repent now and go to work for the Lord.

Forrest D. Moyer