There is a definite relationship between the proper receiving of new converts into the church and then holding them in good church fellowship. Certain things are expected of the new converts.
The newcomer is expected to participate regularly in the public worship of the church. Attendance at Sabbath school, Sabbath worship, weekly prayer meeting, and other regular services of the church is regarded as the first and constant manifestation of church relationship.
By faithfulness in participation in church worship the new members become a definite part of the group that makes up the congregation. They are rightfully expected to attend their own church regularly from week to week. Seldom should they be found visiting in other churches, unless there is some special valid reason for doing so.
The church rightly expects that new converts form proper habits of private prayer and devotions. Religious services in the church are to be augmented by a consistent Christian life throughout the week.
Moreover, it is expected that the new convert enlist in some form of Christian service. This enlistment is looked for early in the church life of the new member.
Finally, the church expects growth in spiritual strength as the result of Christian witnessing. Newborn babes are expected to grow. Failure in Christian growth is regarded as evidence of a serious lack of participation in the work of the church.
We have listed some things that the church rightfully expects. Now let us note what these newcomers have a right to expect from the church. This is extremely important because it has a direct bearing upon the success of church membership. It is one thing for us to expect much from the new converts, it is even more important to be mindful of those things that we must be and the things we must do for the new believers.
The responsibility of the church to the new believer is clearly pointed out in the Word of God. In fact, the climax of the the Christian charter includes the words "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20). The great commission is a command for both evangelism and conservation of church membership. This is what Dr. John A. Broadus had in mind when he made his oft-quoted statement, "Much of the work of discipling has not included that of teaching; and much of the work of teaching has ignored that of discipling." In other words, establishing converts goes hand in hand with receiving converts.
The words of the apostle Peter present a simple and effective outline of the church's responsibility to new members. He wrote to the Christian flock: "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (I Peter 5:10). Obeying the call of the gospel, often through much suffering, the new convert comes expecting to enjoy the blessings of church fellowship, to become fully established in the household of God, to become strong in faith and settled in the church as his abiding spiritual home. It is the responsibility of the church to see that all these expectations are realized. By the new birth the soul enters the church, but that is only the beginning of a new life. A moment is enough for life's beginning, but the growing of a soul should be the holy, happy business of a lifetime. To a large degree it is the duty of the church to bring about this prolonged, happy experience in the things of God.
There are things which the new convert has a right to expect from the church. First of all, the convert has a right to expect that his church will have faith in his sincerity. He is now beginning a new, unfamiliar life. His past, perhaps wicked, life is still fresh in his memory. It was doubtless known to others, possibly to members of the church that he has joined. With fear and trembling he enters the household of the saints. The least that the saints can now do is to believe in the sincerity of this newborn child of faith.
Paul's admonition should be very carefully heeded at this time: "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. . . Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Rom. 15:1-7). An influx of new converts necessitates numerous changes and adjustments in church life and procedure. The receiving of new members into the church is not time for the saints to "please" themselves, and say in their hearts, "I can't be bothered." Instead, the saints are to remember when they were first received into the church. They must learn to "move over" and make room for these new ones and receive them in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then the new convert has a right to expect that his church, in which he assumes full responsibility of membership, will give him adequate instruction in the meaning of church affiliation. The emphasis here is on "instruction," not criticism. New believers are learners. They are entitled to the right kind of instruction. Too often the saints have become set, formal, and inactive in church service and therefore are irked by the earnestness and zeal of the new convert. At once they want to stifle and crush that first love, and thereby they deeply wound the newcomer. The attitude of such stereotyped, complacent saints brings to mind a certain incident. A preacher once asked a farmer why it was that oxen always walked so slowly. The reply was, "I don't know, except that they always break in the young oxen with the old ones. The old ones walk slow and they teach the young ones to walk slow.- Let's leave this method with the oxen and keep it out of the church.
Third, our converts have the right to demand a program of Christian education adjusted to their special needs. This education pertains to doctrine, church organization, missionary (home and overseas) information, essential qualities in Christian character, the successes of Christianity, lives of noble church leaders, and many other areas touching the work and experience of men and women of the church.
Often the new convert is bombarded with criticism of church leaders and policies by which the work of the church is carried on. Instead of finding the church following a consistent program of positive education of her members, the newcomers in the faith too often are confused and left to grope for themselves. This usually results in discouragement and separation from the church.
The new convert also has a right to expect that his church will provide him with an atmosphere of heartening good will and pulsating, heart-warming fellowship. He should discover that he is sitting among friends. He should be made to feel at home. His closest friends, his most respected superiors, his trusted consultants, and his dearest companions should be found in his church.
Finally, the new convert has a right to expect early integration and enlistment into the life and service of the church. It is a great honor to be a part of, and participate in, the activities of the church. The part may be ever so small, yet it means much to a new believer to be called upon to serve. He then becomes an integral part of the body and feels wanted and needed.
The subject of receiving and holding converts requires serious and constant attention. It is hoped that the few thoughts presented here will serve to stimulate greater concern for those who seek fellowship with God's people. If followed sincerely and prayerfully, the simple steps set forth will result in holding more of our dear people in active, happy church fellowship.
