tious believers to bear the heavy demands of urgent Christian min istry. What about this problem of loyalty to our church and loyalty to your family? Is there a solu tion to this dilemma? Biola Col lege and Talbot Seminary stand strongly behind the ministry of evangelical Bible-believing local churches. This is where dedicated young people come from to be prepared for the Lord's service. We each have to find our peculiar and particular ministry in the Lord's work (Col. 4:17). The Bible teaches you not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together as the man ner of some is (Heb. 10:25). We find the Lord's ministry through the local church. For many the word "church" suggests a build ing with a steeple where people hear Sunday sermons. This is far removed from the New Testament teaching where the local church was an organization of baptized believers who had banded togeth er for w o rsh ip , observance of church ordinances, and the fellow ship of the Gospel (Acts 2:41-47). This latter signified joint participa tion. No wonder the church at Jerusalem in those days experi enced growth and blessing so much so that 3,000 souls were con verted and baptized in one day.
All of the members had involved themselves in witnessing and serv ice. The work was not left for just a few people. Their secret was in volvement! Keep in mind that God never puts more demands on us than we are able to bear (I Cor. 10: 13). The mood of Paul's Epistles shows clearly that church demands are to be shared by all the believ ers (I Cor. 14:10). Paul established or validated local churches which were being set up all over Asia Minor. Have you encouraged your fel low members to find their duties? There is something specific for everyone. As a pastor I am concerned about those who are always mov ing around from one church to another, never satisfied with what they have. If you know the Lord then you ought to find a local church which is preaching the Word of God, zealous in soul-win ning, and energetic in missionary outreach. Do not be afraid to put your shoulder to the wheel and join with the others of the fellow ship. Perform only those duities in the church that you receive in the Lord. To accept less spells faith lessness; to accept more will sure ly invite frustration. Learn to rec ognize what God's will is for you. As you pray, read the Bible, and
Musa Dogonyaro (left) is rewriting the Biola College track and field record book. He is Biola’s first National Champion and holds six Biola soccer records in just two years of competition. Musa, a Junior from Nigeria, will be a top prospect to run for that country in the next Olympic games.
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