West Main

FAMILY IS NOT ENOUGH!

 

In last week’s seminar on Striving for the Excellence of Faith in Church and Life, we wrestled extensively with how we make choices about what we do with our time in relation to our faith development and the myriad of other cultural pursuits that confront us, such as work, sports, entertainment, and so forth. Furthermore, Brian Pannell did an outstanding job in our Sunday morning Bible class in demonstrating how our faith development begins with the choices fostered in the home. Brian brought to our attention how the local congregation is not a substitute for the local family. In other words, individual families must not forfeit their faith responsibilities to the local church. For instance, the youth minister is not the one ultimately responsible for the youth of the congregation, but the immediate family home is ultimately responsible for their own youth within their own family.  As Brian mentioned, the local church is a resource and a help, not the substitute for family faith responsibilities. Brian is absolutely right.

 

 

In this short bulletin article, I want to capitalize on Brian’s thoughts and touch upon the role of the local congregation and its relation to individual families within the congregation. I want to look at the “other side of the coin” as it were when it comes to the congregation and individual families. There are a few scriptural references that can help set the stage of our thoughts. Consider how when members of Jesus’ family came to see him, someone in the crowd said, “‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’  He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice’” (Lk 8:20-21; Cf. Mk 3:34ff). Or think of how Jesus said, “‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life’” (Mk 10:29-30).  Lastly, for our purposes, ponder what Paul says to Timothy:  “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity” (1 Tim 5:1-2).

 

 

The above biblical references are enough to state the simple truth that individual families are NOT enough when it comes to fostering a fully thriving faith. The local congregation is necessary for our individual family faith to grow, thrive, and survive. Even Jesus said that his mother was the one who did God’s will, not necessarily his biological mother. When we are baptized into Christ, we die and are born again into the family of God (See Gal 3:26-28). This is why Paul told Timothy to encourage the older women as mothers, older men as fathers, and young people as brothers and sisters. When we are baptized, we are being baptized into the family of God gaining a “hundred times as much in this present age” when it comes to family members in the local congregation.

 

 

The blessing of having more family members in the local church takes a great deal of pressure off biological families. One author speaking on the pressures of families falling apart said the cause is  “not the lack of respect for family, it is the idolization of family  that breaks the modern family so easily, making divorce its natural shadow.” In other words, we sometimes idolize our own family units to such a degree that they cannot sustain such an “idolization” and fracture under the pressure to be so perfect.  I have seen such fracturing pressure placed especially on young Christian parents who are to do daily devotions, prayer, discipleship, scripture memorization, sacrificial service, quiet time, marriage enrichment, or else feel they are failing the spiritual faith of their family. Now hear me out, I am not saying parents are to ignore the faith development of their family. What I am saying is that families do not have to engage in their faith development alone. The local family of God in the local congregation is there to enrich and strengthen in ways and in resources that no one individual family possesses. The local congregation is absolutely necessary. Family is not enough.

 

--  Terry

 

 

 

 

IN THE NEWS

 

 

Last Wednesday the Supreme Court held in a unanimous opinion that the First Amendment provides additional and independent rights to religious organizations, beyond those to which non-religious groups are entitled. In Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Supreme Court held that the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment —both the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause—prohibit any government interference with the employment relationship between a religious body and its ministers, leaders, teachers, and others who, in the words of the Court, “personify” the beliefs of the religious community. The decision embraced, in broad language, the constitutional right of religious groups to autonomy in matters of their own “internal governance” and to the freedom to exercise “control over the selection of those who will personify its beliefs.” It specifically affirmed “a religious group’s right to shape its own faith and mission through its appointments.”

 

We should praise God for this decision.

 

 

 

A Financial Peace University Class will begin March 7 and continue on Wednesday evenings for thirteen weeks.  There will be a preview class on February 15, at 7:00 p.m. to give you a better understanding of what the class is about.  The cost of the class is $93.00 per family.  Please set aside the funds to participate in this class.  The benefit that you receive will far outweigh the cost.

 

 

Our Sunday Morning Ladies Bible Class will be studying, “A History of God’s Power - Return to Me.” This study will begin February 5 in the Fireside Room and will be led by Denise Beeks.

 

 

Children’s Worship Service – We are looking for some new leaders to train to take over the children’s worship service.  Please contact Dave or Wyndee Thomas or Trevor or Jennielle Denn.

 

 

Mexico Mission Fundraiser Dinner / Auction will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. *We would really appreciate having an “Auction Coordinator” this year.  Please contact Valda Newton if you would like to help with the auction or dinner in any capacity.

** There will be a brief Pre-Auction and Trip Meeting on Sunday, February 5, immediately following morning worship in the Fireside Room.  We will have trip forms available for you to pick up at that time.

 

Mexico Mission Trip:  March 24 - April 1

 

 

 

Directory Photos  – Please remember to contact Sandra Cummings to get your new photo taken for our 2012 directory.  You may contact her to set up your appointment time.

 

 

The Men’s Retreat is coming up next weekend, January 27-29.  Contact Mark Moreno, Charlie Michael or Trevor Denn for more information.

 

 

Nursery Help Is Still Needed. . . .See Diane Liles to volunteer.  It’s a great way to get to know our youngest members.  :)

 

 

Prayer Requests . . .  For Ferne Scott and Sandy Watson as they recover from their surgeries at home...Fran Sharpe is feeling better, but please continue to keep her in your prayers...Kinsey Parker’s foot surgery went well and she is recovering at home...Pray for safe travel for Patsy Brophy and her son, Nick, and for a successful surgery for her son, John.  Pray that there will not be any cancer ... Eris Murphy asks prayers for her mom to find a job...Kathy York’s daughter, Ami, is due to have twins in late March.  She has been put on bed rest until the babies are born.  Please pray for her health and the babies’ health and that they don’t come too early...Katherine Martin is in RVMC...David Mayes asks continued prayers for Cora in her new found faith and for her to influence her mother; for Deet; for Herman to follow his doctor’s advice and for David to be a good example to those around him...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 

 

Thank You Note . . .  Thank you so much for the flowers, cards, prayers, etc. during Larry’s surgery.  We appreciate it so much.  Our love,  Wydie & Larry Denn

 

 

 

Jan 27-29: Men’s Retreat

Feb 5: Mexico Mission Mtg; Following Morning Worship in FSR

Feb 11: Mexico Mission Dinner/Auction; 5:30 p.m.; FSR

Feb 15: Preview Night for Financial Seminar; 7:00 p.m. at the Building

Mar 7: Financial Seminar Begins