Is He Really Your Pastor?

I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me in the last two decades. Sometimes when I tell someone that I am the pastor of Rolling Fork Baptist Church in Boston, Kentucky, they will say something like "Oh yeah, I am a member of your church." And then that statement is followed up with something like "You must be the new pastor there." But I have been there since January of 1999.

Sometimes one of the local funeral homes will call me and tell me that they have a member of our church that needs a funeral. Same thing here. I don't recognize the name of the person that they are talking about. Just like the first example I gave you, this person has not been in our church for over two decades... and still claims to be a member.

Apart from the spiritual side of this conversation (which I will get to in a few moments), think about that concept from a business aspect. If I walked into Planet Fitness today and said that I was a member, they would tell me that they don't have me on file because I have not been there for quite some time now. They haven't seen me there. They haven't received my monthly membership fee. I have not been connected with them for a long time. Will they say, "Don't worry, you can still be a member of Planet Fitness. Go ahead and do whatever you want to do"? Of course not.

So why is it that a person will think that they are still a member of a church that they don't attend? Why would someone say "That is my pastor." when they don't know him or worship with him each week? How can they say that they belong to a church that they don't belong to?

The writer of Hebrews wrote these words in Hebrews 13:7 (ESV) — 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. How can a preacher be your leader if you do not follow him? How can he speak the word of God to you if you are not in attendance? And how can you imitate his faith if you live your life apart from God and apart from His church?

And then in Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) — 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Some people do not like that phrase "Obey your leaders and submit to them" but if your leaders are doing what they are supposed to be doing, then you are obeying God just as they are supposed to be doing. Pastors will be held accountable for their congregations and there is a clear recognition of who is the church family and who is not there yet. And your pastor and church family should never have to beg you to come back to church. If you are truly a Christian, then you will not stay away from your church family.

So is that preacher really your pastor? Are you really a member of that church? One day, you will be held accountable for not being plugged into your church family. Repent of your sins today and commit yourself to a local church where you can be instructed by God's Word.