Why Participate in the Association?

By PHILIP ATTEBERY
BMA Theological Seminary President

​Why should I participate in the work of an association? Although there are pragmatic reasons, the most essential reasons are biblical. First, the Lord has a desire to receive “glory in the church by Christ Jesus” throughout all generations (Ephesians 3:21). So, until Christ returns, believers should be faithfully involved in a biblical church. Second, the Bible records how early churches worked together in matters of missions, theology, benevolence, and shared literature.
 
Acts 13:1-3 records how “the church that was at Antioch” heeded the Holy Spirit’s calling to send away Barnabas and Saul “for the work unto which I have called them.” Later, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, their sending church, and reported all that God had done (Acts 14:27). Other churches later gathered to hear the missionaries’ report (Acts 14:27; 15:3-4). Titus and others had been “chosen of the churches” to travel and minister with Paul’s missionary team and serve as “messengers of the churches” (2 Corinthians 9:19; 23). Here, we see multiple churches associating to further the initial mission work of the Antioch church.
 
Third John 3-8 records that unnamed ministers of the gospel testified to the apostle John about how Gaius and his church had faithfully welcomed and treated them during a visit. John declared that believers in a church are obligated to provide charitable support to those who minister truthfully for the sake of Christ’s name. By doing so, they become fellow participants in those persons’ ministries! Here, again, we see churches associated with one church supporting another church’s missionaries.
 
Acts 14–15 record that the church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to meet with the church in Jerusalem to discuss a theological matter regarding salvation. After hearing various points of view, it pleased “the apostles and elders, with the whole church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas” to deliver a written message clarifying that they had never required circumcision for salvation (Acts 15:22-24). Here, we see two churches associating together to address theological error and inaccurate communication between them. Remember that the New Testament is composed of letters (i.e., literature) that were often shared among churches. 
 
Paul wrote to “the church of God which is at Corinth” about how the churches of Macedonia had responded with sacrificial giving to help the Jerusalem church (2 Corinthians 1:1; 8:1-4). Paul encouraged the Corinthians to finish their commitment to the benevolence project by joining with the Macedonian churches. By doing so, according to 2 Corinthians 9:5, 11-15, the Corinthians would fulfill their initial pledge to help, both givers and receivers would be blessed, believers in Jerusalem would pray for those in Corinth and God would be glorified through much giving of thanks. Here, we see multiple churches associating together to address the benevolent needs of another church.
 
Would you encourage your church to follow the example of New Testament churches by associating with others? Would you participate in the association by sending messengers to represent your church at local, state, and national meetings? Would you encourage your church to follow through with fulfilling its commitment and obligation to provide charitable support to the ministries of the Baptist Missionary Association?

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