Are you an active member, the kind that would be missed,

Or are you just contented that your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock,

Or do you stay at home and criticize and knock?

Do you take an active part to help the work along,

Or are you satisfied to say you "just belong"?

Do you ever go to visit a member who is sick,

Or leave the work to just a few and talk about the clique?

There's quite a program scheduled, that I'm sure you've heard about,

And we'll appreciate it if you, too, will come and help us out.

So let's be up and doing, now's the time to start,

Don't be "just a member" but take an active part.

Think this over member, you know right from wrong,

Are you an active member, or do you just belong?

I have been thinking about this subject for some time, and this poem gave me the boost I needed. So, with this I hope to help. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus said "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be damned." What a joy it is to see young men getting an education by college or preacher's school and becoming gospel preachers. There is a great need for preaching and teaching of God's word of truth. What a wonderful way to help, and may we say, "Lord, send me."

Another need is elders. Many congregations do not have elders and when asked why, most of the time, they say no one is qualified. It would be so great if more brethren would work and study so they can be elders, as in Titus 1:5 and the qualifications are also studied from 1 Timothy 3. From all indications from the scriptures they are needed. It is our hope that some will say, "Lord, send me."

There is a need for good, serving deacons. The instructions and guidelines are also in 1 Timothy 3 also for their wives and the teaching of their children. It is so very important for children to be in strong Christian homes - to be trained by good Christian parents so they will not be partakers of worldly ways. 1 John 2:15-16. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate one, and love the other ..."

There are so many ways we all can help. There are many jobs that need to be done around the meeting house. I am so thankful for those who do help, but I believe, if we all would help in some way - where help is needed - more could be accomplished and there would be better unity. In our hymn book, on page 693, we sing, "There is much to do, here am I, Lord send me!" The hymns we sing are a very important part of church services, so, when we sing, may we be very serious about the words. May we, in our worship services, be doing as the scriptures teach; and, always, when it is being done and help is needed, let us say, "Here am I. Lord send me!

(Editor's note: This article was sent to me in November, 2001. It was, for some reason, filed and not published. Bro. Ab served as an elder in the Mannington congregation for many years. He died in the Lord on July 18, 2004. We are pleased to offer these good words for your consideration.)

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