Religious ideals may be desirable and profitable as we fulfill our godly mission.  Many of us have probably developed a mental portrait of the ideal eldership, the ideal body of deacons, and perhaps even an ideal minister.  We may have ideals relating to our corporate worship and methodologies employed in reaching out to our community.  As members have ideals concerning these things, it should be understandable that elders and ministers have a portrait of the ideal congregation.

     The ideal congregation has a Christ-centered life.  Jesus said, “and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).  As we are drawn to Christ, He is the focal point of those so drawn. Accordingly, our activities in various contexts throughout our Christian life will be governed by the will of Christ.  We will ask, “What would Christ have me do?”  We will develop a pattern of increasingly being unsatisfied with the wisdom of men unto which we must not turn in matters wherein the Lord has legislated (1 Cor. 1-4). As well, the priorities of Christ will increasingly become our priorities – our personal priorities (Matt.6:33).  A new direction and set of priorities will emerge from the rubble of a prior sin-stained life (John 14:6).  As these and other spiritual growth areas develop in our growth unto perfection, I trust that we will invariably be thus led to draw all men unto the Christ who is now truly the center of our lives. Yes, the fulfillment of personal evangelism finds its root in the seed of a personal Christ-centered life.

The ideal congregation has a positive attitude about the work of God.  The apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13).  This attitude, far from being occasional in its occurrence, and limited in its scope, should permeate the whole membership consistently over time.

This positive context is generated by members who are truly men and women of faith.  Maintaining a strong faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ becomes the springboard unto positive-mindedness.  Such can only be achieved in accord with a healthy relationship with the Word of God (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:15).  Additionally, men and women of faith progressively believe in the power of the gospel to radically change and positively reform one’s own personal life and the lives of those about us (Romans 1:16-17).  Without this realization, our willingness and inclination to achieve and maintain a positive outlook concerning the probable success of our spiritual labors will be invariably diminished.  Knowing that the spiritual destiny of the world hangs in the balance, let us follow the example of Paul (1 Cor.11:1) and in a positive manner address the challenges of our spiritual labors.

Over the next few weeks, this topic will be expounded upon and discussed because we should all be striving to be the kind of members that God wants in His church. Whether a minister or an elder, we are all members and all need to strive to be what God desires and deserves. Hopefully, for you, these lessons will help you better know what God wants from you and how you can go about fulfilling your role as a member of the church.