The Council Speaks

"Fifteen years ago I became a Christian, but I fell back into drinking and other things about a year ago and dropped out of church. I am sorry for what I have done, and I want to start over. Do you think it is possible for me to get back in fellowship at our Native church and serve the Lord again? I don't know where to begin."

It's encouraging to hear of your concern and desire today. Your changed mind reminds me of the Prodigal Son. He had a change of mind and considered his Father (Luke 15:11–32). The Bible tells us that believers have two natures: The old man/self and new man/self (Ephesians 4:22–24). Whichever nature you feed will become the stronger one and control your body and mind (Galatians 5:16–18).

Scripture encourages us to desire the sincere milk of God's Word that we may grow (1 Peter 2:2). As believers, we are further encouraged to eat the meat of God's Word (Hebrews 5:11–14). After you faithfully digest and grow towards becoming a mature Christian, God will use you.

Even though we fail and fall down God forgives (1 John 1:9). Jesus is the Savior and is standing with you. Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5–6). Hebrews encourages us to press on and run to win the prize that is set before us (Philippians 3:14). There is great need of revival in the body of Christ, the church today (Psalms 85:6). It sounds like Jesus is reviving you.

Hebrews tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is (Hebrews 10:25), but to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To properly grow and maintain our Christian walk, we need the fellowship of our brothers and sisters in the Lord. By all means, get back in fellowship at your Native church and serve the Lord again. Remember Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for you (Romans 8:34).

-Terry Hall

We serve a God of relationship, and He loves us so much that He made a way to restore that relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ.

From the very beginning, He was the one who said, "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 1:18). The Bible says, "As Iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another" (Psalm 27:17), and once again the Bible says, "How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1).

So, my words of encouragement to you are to live the way your Creator has created you to be, in unity and fellowship.

Secondly, don't make yourself a walking target for the enemy. Keep in mind, "our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter. 5:8). The enemy is a master of division, deception, and destruction. His greatest tool is to separate you from the mighty power of God. You saw it when he asked Eve in the Garden of Eden if God said what He really said . . . separation (Genesis 2:1). Once you are separated, you are an easy target for temptation, sin and failure. The enemy will then ride you like a bronc with false accusations (Revelation 12:10) and guilt (Proverbs 28:17).

Lastly, stay healthy in your spiritual walk with the Lord . . . exercise! The Bible says, "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together" (Hebrews 10:25). Stimulate is the same as exercise. I Peter 4:10 tells us, "Each one has received a special gift, employ it [exercise it] in serving one another." Finally, Romans 12:6 says that we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us; each of us is to exercise them accordingly.

God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians. 1:3). He has given you a special gift to share with others. You want to stay healthy-exercise!

Fellowship matters to God . . .Fellowship should matter to us as well!

-Huron Claus, President CHIEF Inc.

Yes, if there is true repentance, then one is forgiven. First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteouness."

However, your choice did have a ripple effect, 2 Corinthians 2:5–11 says, "If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent. . . ." Your testimony has been altered, but not discarded. Psalm 37:23–24 says, "The steps of a good man are directed by the Lord . . . though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down."

The next question: Can you be restored to Christian fellowship?

Yes, you can take the opportunity to acknowledge your backslidden state publicly, and express your desire to be forgiven and restored to the local fellowship of believers. By admitting your sin publicly, and humbly seeking the forgiveness of other believers, you will be challenged to live as a forgiven child of God.

One is restored to fellowship with God, family, and fellow believers. Restored lives in Christ changes everything.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

-Rose Buck

The answer to your question about whether it is possible to get back into fellowship with your church and serve the Lord again depends a lot on what you mean by stating the question this way.

First of all, regarding fellowship with the Church, I doubt that there is any evangelical church that would deny fellowship to one who is repentant and wanting to be restored to fellowship. In most churches, even if a person continued to struggle with whatever sin or sins were in his or her life, as long as the person was being honest about their struggle and seeking prayer, guidance and help from the Body of Christ to change sinful behavior, he or she would likely be welcomed back with open arms.

Galatians 6:1–2 says: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." James 5:16 tells us, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." These scriptures indicate that the church should show grace and compassion to those struggling with sin and that we should confess our sins and pray for one another for physical and spiritual healing.

However, it seems that there is a deeper question that you are most likely asking here. You have been a Christian for 15 years and no doubt a part of your church for most of that time. During that time you were most likely elevated to leadership roles as people began to trust you more and more as you walked with Christ. Maybe you even preached, led in worship, or were involved in church life in some way that you really enjoyed. If the question you are asking in regards to "serving the Lord again" is how to get back to that position, maybe you are asking the wrong question.

The most important relationship you have is with the Lord Himself. The concern should be whether fellowship with Him has been restored and you are allowing the Spirit to change you from within. The most useful scripture in regards to the Christian life is found in Galatians 5:16 which reads; "Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Drunkenness is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:21), and is therefore opposed to the working of God's Spirit in our lives. Some of the "other things" you mentioned are probably listed in these verses as well.

The good news is that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

We of course can be brought back to fellowship with God by confessing our sins to Him. As we allow the Spirit to work in our lives through God's word, fellowship with other believers and singing to the Lord (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19), we will grow in the Spirit.

As the relationship with God is restored, the fruit of God's Spirit will be evident in your life and over time the church will eventually trust you as a leader again. However, it is important to come to the church humbly with openness about your failings. Do not seek to immediately regain a high position of spiritual leadership or visibility in the church, but prioritize your walk in the Spirit first. God will bring you into the places where you will be able to serve Him best. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Peter 5:6).

-Randy Jackson