A few weeks ago we got a letter from some dear friends. We had heard over the years about their struggling church. Their devotion and commitment had always amazed me. I often wondered, "Why don't they just leave and go somewhere more fulfilling?", although I never actually told them this. Now in this letter, I could feel the pain and weariness they described after watching 20+ years of slow decline. It seems the end is inevitable apart from an outright miracle and our friends wrote, "...I feel mostly depression now on Sunday mornings when I attend worship. I'd like to find a more uplifting setting but since we are very loyal people we will probably be among the group that turns out the lights and locks the door when its all over!" Not too long ago I would have thought, "good at last they can go somewhere and get blessed". But in light of God's recent revelation to me I was deeply moved by their letter.

You see, the Lord spoke to my heart a few months ago that one reason so many churches are failing and Christians falling is that there is no allegiance within the Body of Christ. This came in response to my own complaints and groans of bitterness at being cut off from the Body. I felt personally abandoned by the Body but discovered through the Holy Spirit that I was just reaping my own abandonment of the Body. As I thought back I saw how whenever things did not go how we thought they should, we longed to leave our church. We didn't leave only because of the restraint of the Holy Spirit. But I now saw that in my heart, I had left. I'd never fully embraced and allied myself with the Church Body God had put us in.

Not only that, but I prided myself on being against denominationalism. No way would I be identified with a denomination even though God had placed us in one for 15 years. I do believe Satan has used denominations to hurt and divide God's Church but I realized that under God they are simply branches of His Church. To be in one should never make us feel superior to anyone else but we must be committed fully to the structure and leadership God has placed over us. As the Lord convicted me and opened up these things, the Holy Spirit brought me to repentance and I was quickened to do something that I knew was of God but which surprised me totally. I pledged allegiance to my church and to its denomination before God. It was a holy moment and I had a sense of being connected to the Body of Christ, being able to receive protection, covering and blessing and also give in a way I've never known.

I felt impressed to share this and receiving our friend's letter was like a confirmation. Even if their church should fail, I know they are great in God's eyes and will have great reward. We live in an age where commitment is almost nonexistent. Marriage vows are easily broken and church membership means little. If a church blesses us, we stay; if it ceases to bless us, we go. If there's more action down the street, let's go there. We blame the pastor but refuse to stand by him, to pray for him, to see things through when the going gets rough. Now I'm not saying we should never change churches God may have a purpose for us to go elsewhere. But we must know where God wants us and then make our commitment, not begrudgingly but with a whole heart. Can you imagine the freedom a pastor would have if he know his people were truly committed? Instead of worrying about pleasing individuals he could concentrate on being God's mouthpiece.

According to Webster, to pledge means "a solemn promise to do or refrain from doing something" and allegiance means "observance of obligation; faithfulness to a person or thing" implying a sense of duty or devoted attachment. As I sought God more about how this applies to us, He spoke to my heart about a nation's armed forces. The nation has one commander in chief but the armed forces are broken down into branches army, navy, air force, etc. Each branch has different purposes, weapons and training but all work together against the nation's enemies. Now suppose the navy said to the air force ships are the only good weapons we don't need you. But these branches know how much they need each other they depend on one another's expertise and talent. And praise God, there's a movement today which is bringing together denominations branches of God's armed forces. This is an awesome work of His Spirit.

But now let's look at the units within the army or navy. They are like individual churches. Each has a territory and a definite purpose within that territory. Can you imagine if soldiers decided to leave their unit because there was more action elsewhere or they didn't like the commander's personality? The complete absurdity of this and its consequences are obvious. But we do this all the time in our spiritual units we go AWOL! God forgive us! May we really see the need to know where You want us and then to commit all the way. How many churches have died and revivals failed to come because we wanted personal blessing and fulfillment at the cost of disobedience?

Jim and I speak as guilty but repentant and urge you to give this much thought especially if you are in a place where you feel dissatisfied. Seek His will and then obey you won't be sorry in the end though you may face sorrows for a time right now. If this letter intersects just one life in a valley of decision it will have served its purpose. But the Holy Spirit tells me there are many reading this right now to whom He is speaking and guiding into a new understanding of allegiance. If you are one of them it would encourage me greatly to hear from you. Perhaps it is not church but some other calling on your life you have not been faithful to. Make it right today!

When we first came with Wycliffe, the director Bernie May told us we were the first people he'd met who actually felt called to the Headquarters. For most it was a stopping off point on the way to where the action is. Jim saw a tremendous need to see people come here who were called by God to commit to do this background work with no other agenda. Because of the complexity of our work, it demanded long term people to really run smoothly. God has answered that prayer and brought many who, although it was difficult to find support, followed through on God's call. How we thank you for believing in us and our call and supporting us with your gifts and prayers. We couldn't be here without your allegiance!

Now may the Lord bless you and make you faithful in every good work, causing you to know where you fit in to His Body and enabling you to endure to the end that His purposes be fulfilled in our day. Amen. We love you dearly.