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Family News and Notes

How Do You View Our Gospel Meeting?

We hope that you will view it as a priority; a priority that will include your involvement, your attendance, your desire to grow "in the grace and knowledge" of our Savior and your concern for lost souls. We trust that you will see it as an opportunity to reflect upon your commitment to be an obedient and faithful servant; a time to examine and evaluate your service to our Master, an opportunity to share the Gospel with friends and neighbors and a special time of fellowship with the members here at North Jefferson, as well as with brethren from other congregations. We are confident in the abilities of Bro. Michael Light to share thoughtful and challenging biblical lessons that will help us to more fully appreciate the marvelous relationship Christians have in Christ. We encourage you to make a commitment to attend every service and invite others to come with you. Please pray for the success of the opportunity that is ours. The Elders

Fellowship Luncheon scheduled for TODAY following morning services. Everyone is invited.

On Tuesday, April 27th, Michael Light will speak to the Ladies Bible Class. The topic will be on the book of Esther. Class begins at 10:00 AM.

A new Clean-up sheet for the month of May is on the table in the foyer. We are still in need of Volunteers in some areas. Won't you help?

Visitation Team No. 3 will not meet until after morning services on May 2, 2004.

A reminder if your are interested and wish to attend this afternoon from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM there will be an unveiling of a 35 X 13 foot Mural by artist David Freeman (see last week's bulletin for directions to the historical country church where this will take place). The mural depicts nine scenes from the life of Christ and is a 200 hour work of art by David.

Anna Ruth Brown, who has been suffering from severe back and leg pain, is scheduled for Surgery on May 11 in Paris.

Linda Walker (daughter of Ruby Pipkin) is back in the hospital with internal problems. She has requested we keep her in our prayers.

Elna O'Neal will be having surgery this week at Baylor in Dallas.

Gene Riley had a colonoscopy Friday morning because he had internal bleeding. A large tumor was found and removed. It was benign. He was dismissed Friday afternoon to return home.

Mary Taylor is having heart catherization this week and requests that we keep her in our prayers.

Charles Kyle fell again and this time he broke the same leg he had cracked before.

Judy Betts (sister of Wayne Charlton) passed away during the night Wednesday night. Her funeral was conducted by Alexander Funeral Home in Naples on Saturday at 2:00 PM with burial at Omaha Cemetery.

Betty Langford of Oklahoma City, OK (William Embree's sister) passed away Wednesday. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 AM Monday at the chapel located at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK by Hahn-Cook-Street & Draper Funeral Home with burial at that cemetery.

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PRAYER LIST

Justin Barker, Louis Bell, Winell Blackard, Sue Browning, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Barbara Duncan, Howard Horton, Bill Jones, & Amy, Elna O'Neal, Winnie Patton, Gene Riley, Alva Mae Sheets, Ola Mae Simpson

ALSO: Clovis Davis, Diane Johnson, Dorothy Kyle, Charles Kyle, Velma Lucky, Kelsey Meyers, Delaney Upchurch, Linda Walker

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Church Growth

(Who's Responsible For It?)

By David McCain

Every faithful Christian wants to see the local congregation thrive and grow to be pleasing in the sight of God. However, that doesn't happen purely by chance. Great congregations of God's people are not the result of "spiritual accidents." A congregation that thrives and grows in a manner pleasing to God, is the result of careful study, diligent planning, and faithful application of Scriptural principles, not to mention, of course, the blessings and increase of God (I Cor. 3:6). Sustained spiritual progress occurs only where there is a concentrated and sustained effort on the part of both leaders and members to do good unto all men (Gal 6:10), to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15), and to daily edify and exhort the saved to remain faithful (Eph. 4:11-16, Heb. 3:12-13).

Though every child of God would like to see his home congregation grow numerically, we must not accept numerical growth at the expense of doctrinal purity and divine approval. We must always remember that "numerical growth" is not necessarily the same thing as God-approved "spiritual growth." Just because a church grows numerically does not automatically mean it has God's approval. For instance, look at the attendance figures of most large congregations. They may have 1000 in attendance Sunday morning, but only 150 back Sunday night. Does that say anything about the true level of spirituality at that congregation? It speaks volumes, doesn't it? The answer is found in the middle two letters of the word "church!"

That's right, You are!

The simple truth is, dedicated Christians who are 100% committed to the Lord and His church are a rare breed (read Matthew 7:13-14, if you want the Lord's word for it). Sadly, truly spiritual congregations which are experiencing real spiritual growth are also a rare breed.

A church may attract thousands by preaching and practicing a watered-down, pop-psychology, "if it feels good do it" approach to religion. They may have a constant flurry of activity happening at the church building and elsewhere, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are experiencing genuine spiritual growth.

Indeed, many churches are attracting large numbers by the "country club approach" to religion. The people come from far and wide for the basketball and softball games, the aerobics classes and art lessons, the free meals and Friday night movies, the financial seminars and "42" parties. The "Fall Foliage Tours" for the senior citizens and the trips to "Six Flags" for the young people may create the impression that a certain church has "really got it going on," but that doesn't necessarily mean God is impressed or pleased with their efforts. Though there may be nothing inherently wrong with any of the aforementioned activities, we are forced to ask ourselves, "Is this the way God intended for us to grow His church?" Is secular entertainment our calling, or does God call us to a higher plane of spiritual worship and service as the impetus for growing His church?

Real church growth must be God-approved church growth. We must always remember that numbers are not the true measure of a church that meets with Divine approval. However, we must not sit complacently by and then try to justify our lack of numerical growth by blaming it on our stand for doctrinal purity. We need to face the stark reality that the reason most churches aren't growing is that far too many members (including elders, deacons, and preachers just as much as any other members "warming the pews") are so busy pursuing their own personal agendas of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," that they don't have, take, or "make" the time to do the things that are necessary for a church to grow and prosper.

We live in an age where we want to "hire it" done. The "write a check and pay somebody else to do our work for the Lord" philosophy is killing the church. Ask a church that is between preachers what kind of man they are looking for to fill their pulpit and the common response is, "we want to hire a man who will come in here and work hard to help us build up a great church!" At face value that statement seems to be a noble desire, and granted a major part of the preacher's energy should be expended in zealous efforts to build up the body of Christ, both numerically as well as spiritually. However, the preacher hasn't been born who can do that all by his lonesome. Why, even Jesus required help in establishing His kingdom, and saw fit to find twelve associates who were willing to help Him spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

Sadly, what churches mean when they make statements like that above, is what the elders of one church told me many years ago when I applied for the preaching job at the congregation under their oversight. They said, "Look, we all have families, jobs, and other interests that keep us busy, so don't expect us to spend a lot of time helping you to do church work. That's what we're hiring you for!" Needless to say, I didn't take that job, but I have often thought at least they were honest where others are often hypocritical.

Of course, there are many legitimate methods of outreach which God approves that we can use to help Christ's church grow both numerically as well as spiritually in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Such things as: active, dedicated, visionary leadership; enthusiastic worship; Biblically-sound preaching and teaching; a friendly loving atmosphere at all services; brotherly love promoted by constant fellowship; benevolent outreach to the needy; and the concerned involvement of ALL the membership in evangelism are all factors which God's Word authorizes and demands, which must be present for the Lord's church to grow. The apostle Paul said, if we will plant and water the seed of the kingdom, it will produce fruit for God in the hearts of men and God will grant the increase (I Cor. 3:6).

Brethren, the local church will never grow, either spiritually or numerically, until the people in the pews become convinced of our personal responsibility to help the church grow. That means the local church will never reach its full potential, until YOU and I reach our full spiritual potential. Thus, to correctly answer the question which entitles this article, "Church growth, who's responsible for it?," we must understand the answer is found in the middle two letters of the word "church!" That's right, "U-R!" YOU ARE responsible for church growth, and so am I. So, repeat after me, "Spiritual church growth begins with me!" Now, if you really meant that with all of your heart, why not get busy doing those things, of which God approves, that will help this church to grow and be more pleasing unto God. To God be the glory!

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