Churched!

Would you want be a member of this church? I once was. Not only was I a member of that church, I was also its pastor!

In a July business meeting, charges were made against a member who bought 5 fish on Sunday. Other charges were made against a member caught drinking and also buying fish on Sunday. Two members were charged with dancing. Another was charged with "walking disorderly." An oldtimer later told me that this was a euphemism for being drunk.

Committees were appointed to investigate these erring members. Some made public apologies and were forgiven. Some, apparently, never returned to the church. Others were excluded from membership, by their own request or by church action.

Those charges are listed in a July 1916 business meeting held at the "Missionary Baptist Church of Sylvarena."

Church membership and correct behavior were something our forefathers took seriously. Church members were expected to behave in a proper manner. Those who didn't were "churched."

That church and most others don't do that anymore. Are we more compassionate? Or, are we more lax? A common practice today is to separate beliefs and behavior. Many believe that it does not matter how you live as long as your beliefs are right. The Bible teaches that Christ's true followers would not only believe properly, but they would live properly.

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:3-4