Kahu's Letter - Ka Hoku O Haili - February
1993
“What
is an Active Church Member?"
We as a congregation have been considering
the issue of church membership. This is good, because it relates to the most
important question of all, "what is a Christian?" Haili's by-laws describe
membership as:
"...a sacred trust...entered upon
with care and a sense of holy obligation by both the individual and the church.
When a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he becomes a member of
the Church Universal. An active member is one who has been received into the
Church
in an accepted manner; maintains his residence in or near the parish; and shows
his concern for the Church through the regular attendance at worship, prayer on
its behalf, financial
contribution,
participation in the Church program, or other evidence of interest sufficient
to the Church. The only acceptable exceptions are members who are unable to
attend due to infirmity or illness. Any Active Member who fails to attend
worship services for more that a six month period is subject to becoming an
Inactive Member after being contacted and officially informed by the Diaconate
Board."
In other words, "Active
Membership" should reflect a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
Obviously, being in church does not make one a Christian any more than being in
a bakery makes one a doughnut. One becomes a Christian only as they
"receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." Church attendance can be
one visible evidence of real faith, yet perhaps just the tip of the iceberg.
Thus our by-laws cite "unseen activity" like prayer, giving, and
other involvement.
It is a choice, not a right, to be an
"Active Member," like it is to become a Christian. Only some willing
decide to; WORSHIP God regularly, WITNESS and share God's love in their lives,
SERVE God and neighbor responsibly and faithfully, and GIVE their time, talent
and money to further Haili's mission, locally and throughout the world.
Is there a word for an "Active
Member" who stops being active? Our by-laws rightly call them
"Inactive." Do we have a responsiblity for anyone who becomes
Inactive? If you broke your arm would you seek treatment? Aren't we "the
body of Christ?" If someone was in the path of danger would you warn them?
Aren't you "your brother's keeper?" If you fell down would you want
someone to help you up? If someone you love faces an eternity in hell,
can
you tell them about the Savior? Because of these urgent concerns, a verse for
us all to consider in 1993 is: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of
Christ."
(Galatians 6.2)
