West Main

 

We will have our fifth annual worship encampment at Emigrant Lake on Sunday, August 24, at 10:00 a.m. We have reserved Picnic Area D. (This is a different area than we have had before.) Entry fee is $4.00 per vehicle. *If you need a ride please let the office know.*

 

 

This is another good opportunity for you to invite family, friends and neighbors to enjoy a time of fellowship and worship. This is a wonderful experience of worshiping outdoors and getting to know one another and others in a relaxed and beautiful environment.

 

 

Please bring your own table service, lawn chairs, games, and a potluck dish to share. We will provide the meat, but ask that you bring the side dishes.

 

 

*Services at the building will begin at 10:15 a.m. for those not going to the Worship Encampment. We will NOT have Bible Class or Nursery Care that morning.

 

 

 

IN  SEARCH  OF  THE  IDEAL

 

 

In the history of the spread of Christianity, movements have sprung up with the goal of restoring the spirit and practice of the early churches. Such a search for models would find many good examples, yet none of these churches were perfect.

 

 

Perhaps one of the best churches in the New Testament was in Philippi, in Macedonia, which was at first composed only of women, later followed by men, including a Roman jailor. They were a great encouragement to Paul and supported his evangelistic efforts as he made his way from them through Greece. Their one blemish was an internal dispute between two hard working women that needed help from other members to heal. (Acts 16 & the Philippian letter)

 

 

In ongoing history the marring hand of man is also seen in the church. Great violence has been done to the cause of Christ – from the crusades against the Muslims to the showmanship of modern televangelists. People have had the digestive system of a goat in the sidetracks they have followed in religion. In response to such conduct, Gandhi is quoted as saying he would have become a Christian, but for Christian behavior.

 

 

It would therefore be a futile effort to copy imperfect churches – early or late in history. This has caused some to insist that the church should evolve with society. One writer compared such evolution to aviation’s advances. He insisted that when we forgot about copying bird flight, we were then free to design jets. He failed to mention that birds do not crash, as well as current efforts to develop safer bird-like takeoff and landing.

 

 

Despite human failure, the ideal is still there to copy. It is found in the instruction to the early churches by the inspired writers of the New Testament, and not in flawed church practice. In letters to the churches we find teaching and examples that churches were urged to imitate.

 

 

However, these ideals held up in the Word of God are regarded by some as a straitjacket that would suppress creativity in progress minded churches. This thinking then opens the door to the latest social norms.

 

 

If we are to learn anything from God’s work in the material world, it is that his designs are optimum and best. I am continually astonished at the multiple purposes served by each of His creations. And they all fit together with evidence of great planning.

 

 

So, also, do the designs for the church seen in the New Testament show purpose and amazing forethought. Although often derided as out of step with our times, their validity is confirmed by what men turn to as replacements.

 

 

We should never let human failure obscure the ideal. In reviewing the history of Jewish failures, Paul tells us in Romans 3:3-4 that we should realize that when men go astray, God remains where he has always been. Human failure does not nullify the ideal. And so, in the midst of human failure, the ideal is still there, waiting to be restored by faithful people.

 

– James Gibbs