As President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Dr. Al Mohler gave two addresses to the seminary community:
Don’t Just Do Something: Stand There!
And
Don’t Just Stand There: Do Something!
The first, whether you agree with him or the politics within the denomination that put him there or not, was to a community greatly divided by ideals and principles.
It was a time of great chaos within the Southern Baptist Convention and the Seminary.
Sit-ins around the campus, death threats against Dr. Mohler, some so credible that his bodyguards were rumored to be armed in case some tried to make good on their threats, and students and professors refusing to continue with the regular business of the school due to their convictions.
That first address, in 1993, was about standing firm in the nonnegotiable principles that the Seminary was founded on—he didn’t condemn anyone, but encouraged ALL those listening to stand up for the principles the Seminary had followed since the beginning as contained in the Abstract of Principles, and not rush into action before they resolved the foundation for their beliefs.
The second address, 10 years later, was given to remind those present that Seminary is not just about “religious” things and “religious” education, but that it was there to “do something”. We were to do something with all that we learned. We are called to be “an active people”. It’s not just about the believing, but also about the doing.
As poignant and relevant as this is for seminary students and professors, it is all the more relevant for every Christian. How often do we get kicked in the shins by circumstances or the Enemy, or our own sinful nature, and instead of getting back up, and resuming the fight we sit back and relax, putting life on autopilot? In this politically charged time our lives ought not be about just “attending” church as though this exercise is somehow important and useful in and of itself.
Church has two purposes. That’s it. The first, is serving as a place to learn and grow, to figure out what we believe. It is the place where we learn what is worth standing for as a Christian. It is where we develop, in the safety of friends and family, a firmness of character necessary to stand up for our beliefs in a world that is often hostile towards us. The second, and most important, is providing an association of believers for the working out in the lives of others those beliefs we have come to hold. It is a fellowship of workers acting together in accordance with our convictions. That’s it. Everything the Church does should fall under one of those purposes, and if it doesn’t, it shouldn’t happen.
Furthermore, we shouldn’t be coming to church for any other reasons. So you need to be there for one of two reasons. Either you don’t know what you believe and want to find out if this might be it, and are willing to learn and grow and participate, OR you are there because you know what you believe and are looking for a place to put your convictions into practice and you believe that church is the place to do it and you are willing to participate, grow, and learn. If those two don’t apply to you, then you really need to think about why you are attending church. Maybe you need to adjust your motives or maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t be going to church at all. If you are going to be a vibrant part of the community, then by all means, go to church. If you are just going to be dead weight that doesn’t contribute, then don’t go. It’s that simple.
