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FROM THE PARISH PRIEST
Why Church Membership?
by Fr. Romey Rosco
Probably the main reason for people not belonging to a church is that it costs
something, and they think they can't afford it just now.
Others say they don't really know how long they'll be living in the area.
But your relationship with the Lord requires your being a part of His
community, offering worship to Him. It
is not enough to pray "in your closet."
God also expects us to build temples and to gather in public worship of
Him. If that were not true, He would
not have told the Jews in the Old Testament just how to build a temple and to
furnish it. If that were not true,
Christ Himself would not have visited the temple regularly for worship and to
discuss the Scripture. if that were
not true, He would never have said to Peter "On this rock" (meaning
the "rock" of Peter's confession of Christ as the Son of God) "I
will build My Church!"
There are those who tell me they do not wish to pay dues because the
money will go to the diocese, and they would rather give donations here where it
is needed. But, just as every priest
is responsible to a bishop, so is every parish responsible to a diocese.
And just as you would have no problem with supporting your priest and his
work in the parish, so must we together be willing to support the diocese that
represents us in the Orthodox world and does far greater works in making
Orthodoxy known in a secular world that sorely needs the True Faith.
The Church makes us better persons; it gives to us in return far more
than we can ever give to it; the Church brings Christ's salvation to everyone
who commits himself to the Lord through His Holy Church; the Church brings hope
and love and inspiration.
Yes, the Church doors are open to everyone; we welcome everyone in
worship and encourage everyone to be involved in church life and sacraments –
regardless of dues – that's God's love and commitment to you.
Now, where is the expression of YOUR love and commitment?
Why NOT through church membership?!
From The Weekly Bulletin, Vol. XXXIII No. 3, 15 January 2006
Sts. Peter & Paul
Romanian Orthodox Church, Dearborn Heights MI
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