The Vision: Loyalty to the Local Church (7.26.24)

 

Last weekend we had our annual Youth Conference at Machen Conference Center in Highland County, Virginia. The topic this year was a study of Peter Master’s book Steps for Guidance in the Journey of Life (Wakeman Trust, 1995, 2008). Masters has served over 50 years as pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church in London, the same church which Charles Spurgeon once served as minister.

The thesis of this book is that God guides his people in the journey of life, especially at the major turning points, like marriage, vocation, where we will live, and what church we will join.

In the final chapter on the importance of the local church, Masters stresses loyalty to the church. He begins the chapter, “One of the great problems reported in the life of the local church today is the lack of a deep sense of loyalty on the part of many members” (103).

He focuses on Paul’s image in 1 Corinthians 12 of the church as being like a human body: “But now God hath set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him” (v. 18). Masters asks his readers to consider whether they have a high or a low view of the church. He especially stresses the importance of loyalty to the church, stating, “God insists that his people should feel obligated to their churches in a special way… And they are to be loyal to their church until God himself calls them elsewhere by unmistakable guidance” (106). The church is a living thing. We do not want to hurt it. “How can we bear to see limbs torn out?” (109).

Here are a few other choice exhortations from Masters:

“We must be all for Christ, and for his cause and his church” (113).

“We all need great tenacity, and a deep sense of belonging to our church” (113).

Satan “is constantly tempting God’s people to seek greener pastures elsewhere” (113).

“We are not free agents, and should never be moved by whims” (113).

“High mobility” has been “to the great hurt of churches and individuals” (114).

Masters makes clear, however, that loyalty to any church is not unconditional. Leaving churches that embrace false teachings and false practices is, of course, justified.

Otherwise, Master suggests, “We should regard ourselves as permanent limbs or parts of that body until he moves us….” (118).

May the Lord continue to direct us and give to us a love for and loyalty toward the local church in which he has placed us.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle