BE READY TO GET TO WORK!                - by Greg Gwin

        Do you have a complaint?  Is there something about the local
congregation that needs to be changed or improved?  Is there a specific
matter that is being neglected?  Do you know about a particular item
that needs special attention?  Good!  We need every Christian to be
perceptive to the needs of the church.  We want you to be attentive to
the things that cry out for improvement.  We're glad that you care
enough to be looking carefully at the work that we're trying to do
together.
        But now, we need to warn you -- be ready to get to work!!!  If you are
inclined to point out the problems -- and that's good -- then you must
also be ready to get involved in whatever it takes to solve them.  Once
you've voiced your sincere concerns, be prepared to roll up your sleeves
and tackle the work that will be required.  We have little patience with
a brother or sister who only wants to complain, grumble, and gripe. 
Sadly, in too many congregations these folks outnumber the real workers.
        In Acts 6 we read of a problem in the Jerusalem church.  It did not
take long for some brethren to point it out -- "there arose a murmuring
of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected
in the daily ministration." Observe carefully how the apostles dealt
with the situation: "Then the twelve called the multitude of the
disciples unto them and said . . . brethren, look ye out among you seven
men of honest report . . . whom we may appoint over this business . . .
and the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose . . . whom
they set before the apostles . . ."
        At least two things deserve notice here: 
                1) The apostles turned the problem right back to the complainers and
got them involved in working out a solution.  We ought to imitate this
method.  Anyone who feels the need to complain should know in advance
that they are going to be put to work in resolving the problem.  If
you're not willing to do that, then please just keep quiet! 
                2) The Christians in Jerusalem are to be commended for the fact that
they accepted the role assigned to them.  They followed the instructions
of the apostles, got busy, solved the problem, and quit complaining! 
Let's all learn from their fine example.