The Committed Core
Every Sunday morning, the Berean Baptist services begin in a familiar repetitive way. We start with the Call to Worship which is a scripture reading that usually corresponds to the theme of the first congregational song. Next is Bro. John Bunn’s greeting— “Good morning, Bereans!” John addresses two principles with this greeting. We are Bereans because the name of our church is Berean, and we are Bereans because we love to study the Bible to learn the truths of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We take our name from the believers in Acts 17:11 who readily received the word and regularly researched the word. It is always a pleasure to preach to those who are interested in the scriptures and who faithfully take their Bibles and follow as we read and study.
Each of the Bereans here on Sunday morning attend church because of the common bond we have in Christ. Some attend who are here for curiosity and want to learn more about us and what this church believes. But by and large, most are well acquainted with each other, and the faithful core is always here eager to hear God speak through His word and worship Him in hymns, prayer, and preaching.
When I think of the core of the church, I equate this with their faithful attendance, faithful support, and faithful service. Some meet one or two of these areas—attendance and support—while we can name far fewer as servants of the church. As numbers dwindle, we must have more of our membership active in all three areas. In a discussion a few weeks ago, I remarked that those who are present for our afternoon class are members who enter the room, take their seats, and open their Bibles with well-worn pages covered with markings, underlines, and notes. I know their adventures in the Bible are frequent and not limited to the information they hear from me. They are Bible students throughout the week researching what I say on Sunday mornings and reading for themselves to learn the scriptures and achieve better knowledge of them.
As I survey this group on Sunday afternoons and see their heavily used Bibles, I recognize they are mostly the people who are the servants of the church. I am not sure who among them are monetary supporters other than the ones I casually see as I glance while leaving the pulpit for the offering. I have little doubt all of them give which only John Bunn our treasurer and Taber Jarrell our financial secretary can confirm.
My primary purpose in this article is to explain what I know regular Bible reading and study will do. The word convicts the heart and tells us what kind of Christians we should be. It is difficult to be doers of the word as James commanded without doing anything. The word makes well rounded Christians. They attend worship and study sessions. Our core is here, and it is our main support. The scriptures prompt our core to more prayer and study, and thus better acquaintance with word and the God of the word.
I believe each member should ask themselves, “Am I a part of the core of the Berean Baptist Church? If I am not, why am I not?” Which is better—a partially devoted Christian or one who surrenders all for Christ?
I know my definitions cannot be strictly exclusive. I also know each believer can evaluate what they read here and apply accordingly. Where do you stand? Does the Lord agree with your assessment?
Pastor V. Mark Smith