The late William Still of Gilcomston Parish Church in Aberdeen for over fifty years was amongst the first to pioneer this way of bringing the message of the gospel to his members, and 48 of those letters have been gathered together and published by the Banner of Truth . If anyone has tried to write a letter to a congregation, and maintain his own voice and say something both interesting and pastoral he will realise how fine William Still's achievement was, and how worthy of study and emulation are his letters. The present incumbent in that church is Alistair Malcolm and in his March Record he writes about the contemporary stress on our being friendly and welcoming congregations. But Alistair Malcolm is concerned that such a mentality is now being conjoined to an emphasis upon small group meetings for outreach or to train in discipleship or prayer. Such meetings may have their uses, but when the emphasis on being welcoming congregations whose services are comfortable for strangers coming in is allied to the benefits of small groups which can befriend and support individual members there is the possibility of a sea change in priorities taking over the life of a church.
People come into a congregation where they feel welcome and comfortable.
They are slotted in to a group where they feel supported and valued. This is a worthy, even an excellent thing to achieve for newcomers to the church, but it is dangerously wrong if it becomes the end in itself so that fellowship replaces faith and belonging replaces believing. The crucial need is not to be accepted by others but to be forgiven by God. Whatever the cost, we must be faithful in presenting the absolute necessity of coming to a personal and saving faith in Jesus Christ. It would be a tragic failure to fill pews with people who feel comfortable and welcome in the church and who are being genuinely helped and encouraged by the loving support offered to them, but who never come to faith and repentance, and are not saved.