We were recently visiting our son and his family. They have a sweet cat named Ally, who loves to roam the woods behind their house.

When we arrived, our son told us that Ally had just returned home after having been missed for three days. The family searched for her, but she was not to be found. They thought she might be dead since she has such a routine about coming and going.

When Ally returned home, it was obvious she had been in a fight. Her eye was swollen and running, and she had a wound on her leg. In fact, you couldn’t see her eye for the swelling. Of course, that meant a trip to the vet.

The vet kept her overnight, began antibiotics, and watched for signs of infection. He sent her home with medicine and instructions to continue the antibiotics and to bring her back when the swelling went down. At home, she received a warm welcome—lots of love and the offer of plenty of food.

After we returned home, we learned what I knew, but didn’t want to admit. Ally had lost her eye! For some reason, I’ve really had a hard time with that. She loves the outside, and she loves her freedom. She now seems a little afraid to be out roaming like she used to. She just isn’t the same without all her body parts.

This incident has made me think about my church family. What happens when we (the church) lose a body part? How do we feel? What do we do?

It starts out with a Christian brother or sister missing a service. Eventually, they are no longer regular in their attendance. When they do come, they often don’t sing or participate in the worship. They leave immediately after the service without speaking to anyone.

In just a short time, they stop attending at all. Where are they? Why did they stop attending? The most important question of all is, does anyone know why?

An animal will compensate for the loss of a body part. Ally will learn to depend on her other eye. She will eventually roam the woods again, and she will probably get into fights.

Unfortunately, I think we do the same thing. We pick up the slack from our brother or sister. We find someone else to do his or her job. Someone will take his or her seat in the worship service. Soon, that person will be forgotten; and we will go on with our worship services, our programs, and our fellowships.

Jesus said in Mark 8:36-37, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Knowing the importance Jesus placed on the soul, how can we not go in search of a lost “body part”?

What causes someone to leave the church? One reason is because they are in physical need, something we may or may not know.

In the first century church, we read about the dedication they had for one another. “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:32, 34-35).

In Acts 6, the Grecian widows were being neglected. When they brought this to the attention of the apostles, the apostles immediately had the people choose men they trusted to handle the situation. Their physical needs were met.

Another reason someone might leave is they have been hurt by another member. He or she has an obligation as a Christian to settle differences, but we know that people often just take themselves out of the situation.

Jesus gave the disciples some instructions about how this situation should be handled. He said, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).

Sometimes a member leaves because they think no one cares. We need to care about all of the “body parts,” and we need to let them know we care. Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

We did everything we could for Ally. It wasn’t enough. She lost a body part. Sometimes that happens in the church. We do everything we can, and we still lose a member. We should not stop trying!

I think about a sweet lady that is now an active member of our congregation. She had attended worship with us for years, and one Sunday she just wasn’t there. At first she said it was her work and it was. Then she missed so much she seemed to be ashamed to come back.

We kept praying for her, sending her cards, and encouraging her in any way we could. One Sunday, she just appeared in her usual seat. It wasn’t long before she confessed her sin of neglect, and now she is active serving the Lord wherever she can.

Loving persistence is the key. With that attitude, you could save a soul.

Sandra Oliver