- More social connections
- Older Christians offer gentle advice when they see the need
- Continue what we are doing
- More fellowship. More personal greetings. Smile. Show happiness.
- Help personal work skills. Continue Bible based teachings. Review song leader and congregational singing lessons from the past.
- Being more friendly
- Summer Bible studies with no break for the summer. Groups to ID those who need a call, card, or care. People on the left side talk to people on the right side. People with kids talk to people w/o kids. Pray for everyone.
- Continue providing good teaching, preaching and singing.
- Offer more Bible classes
- Each one of us have a list of people that we “notice” at each service and call anyone on the list who missed and check on them in case they need something. Change quarterly.
- Home visitation. Encouragement. Fellowship.
- Challenge personal growth. 10 minute visitor rule at the end of services.
- Groups like we had in the past. More functions for Christians to come together and learn more about one another.
- Christian friends are what help Christians grow. Small group activities… write cards, study, go to a movie.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Obeying God’s Law and the Parable of the Talents
When the master charged his three servants with managing his money there were some things they understood about him…
- there would be a deadline
- he meant what he said
- they were expected to not only preserve his capital but to also increase it
- if they failed there could be great punishment (death)
- if they succeeded there could be great reward.
The Master gives $100,000 each to his seven servants.
The first servant who had been a farmer decided to buy hammers for three dollars each and sell them for two dollars each. I won’t make much money but it’s better than farming. The master will be happy I’m making progress.
The second servant might think… I don’t want to be killed if I lose the $100,000 so even if I don’t make anything off of it I’ll put it in a safe place and he can have his capital back. No reward but no punishment either.
The third servant might think… I don’t want to lose the $100,000 but I don’t want to risk it either…. I’ll invest it in U.S. saving’s bonds. It won’t make very much money but it will make some and I won’t lose any. It’s a conservative investment but also a safe one. My master won’t be thrilled with me but he won’t kill me either.
The fourth servant might think… I don’t want to lose the money but I don’t want to risk it either… I’ll invest it in the stock market. There is some volatility in the stock market but if I do lose some capital my investment strategy is sound and my master will understand the risk involved.
The fifth servant might think… I’m going to Las Vegas to the Blackjack table. I can win big there. I’ll say my prayers and since Jehovah is on my side I can’t lose.
The sixth servant might think… the price of Gold is going out the roof… I need to get in on it and buys Gold at its highest and then the bottom falls out.
The seventh servant might think… hmmm, I need to buy low and sell high. The housing market is undervalued now but it should rebound. These other guys are either investing in safe conservative investment modalities or behaving with great risk. I want to do the best for my master that I can and reward his confidence in me.
All seven of these servants understood their master’s rules but all seven acted differently. Why? Because they each had a different perception of him. Some interpreted his laws out of a sense of fear, some out of a sense of love and still others out of a sense of love balanced with fear.
If we’re not careful the same mistakes can be made when it comes to obeying God’s laws. We might be overly restrictive with his laws if we are only motivated by fear. We might go too far if we think God’s love will forgive anything we might do. The best approach is to fully appreciate his love for us and the liberty it allows while respecting the restrictions he places on us and the punishment we might incur.
- there would be a deadline
- he meant what he said
- they were expected to not only preserve his capital but to also increase it
- if they failed there could be great punishment (death)
- if they succeeded there could be great reward.
The Master gives $100,000 each to his seven servants.
The first servant who had been a farmer decided to buy hammers for three dollars each and sell them for two dollars each. I won’t make much money but it’s better than farming. The master will be happy I’m making progress.
The second servant might think… I don’t want to be killed if I lose the $100,000 so even if I don’t make anything off of it I’ll put it in a safe place and he can have his capital back. No reward but no punishment either.
The third servant might think… I don’t want to lose the $100,000 but I don’t want to risk it either…. I’ll invest it in U.S. saving’s bonds. It won’t make very much money but it will make some and I won’t lose any. It’s a conservative investment but also a safe one. My master won’t be thrilled with me but he won’t kill me either.
The fourth servant might think… I don’t want to lose the money but I don’t want to risk it either… I’ll invest it in the stock market. There is some volatility in the stock market but if I do lose some capital my investment strategy is sound and my master will understand the risk involved.
The fifth servant might think… I’m going to Las Vegas to the Blackjack table. I can win big there. I’ll say my prayers and since Jehovah is on my side I can’t lose.
The sixth servant might think… the price of Gold is going out the roof… I need to get in on it and buys Gold at its highest and then the bottom falls out.
The seventh servant might think… hmmm, I need to buy low and sell high. The housing market is undervalued now but it should rebound. These other guys are either investing in safe conservative investment modalities or behaving with great risk. I want to do the best for my master that I can and reward his confidence in me.
All seven of these servants understood their master’s rules but all seven acted differently. Why? Because they each had a different perception of him. Some interpreted his laws out of a sense of fear, some out of a sense of love and still others out of a sense of love balanced with fear.
If we’re not careful the same mistakes can be made when it comes to obeying God’s laws. We might be overly restrictive with his laws if we are only motivated by fear. We might go too far if we think God’s love will forgive anything we might do. The best approach is to fully appreciate his love for us and the liberty it allows while respecting the restrictions he places on us and the punishment we might incur.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Survey Results: Your Comments on How to Improve Our Teaching Efforts
- Worksheets and homework
- Adult teachers need to be better prepared. Most classes do not have opportunities for participation.
- Encourage individual participation
- New class for kids in upper elementary age. More people willing to teach
- All classes end on schedule
- More participation
- Better prepared teachers. More teacher meetings. Bigger work room.
- More teachers. Guidance to ensure quality teaching. Shadowing/helping. Unannounced visits from elders/experienced teachers quarterly to provide feedback. Written feedback form for the students so that parents are aware of child’s development.
- More studies in NT.
- Hold a class to prepare teachers for the upcoming quarter and discuss teaching ideas/tools.
- More inspirational
- Three children’s classes a week are too many. Perhaps a Sunday night assembly with everyone in auditorium. Quizzes.
- More teacher training. Training on use of work room. More teachers.
- More options and variety.
- New and fresh speakers
- More teachers to give other teachers a break.
- Teens: More active participation. Interaction with teens from other congregations.
- Improve adult students
- Kids classes: three year through the Bible is cumbersome. Topical studies at older levels.
- Adult teachers need to be better prepared. Most classes do not have opportunities for participation.
- Encourage individual participation
- New class for kids in upper elementary age. More people willing to teach
- All classes end on schedule
- More participation
- Better prepared teachers. More teacher meetings. Bigger work room.
- More teachers. Guidance to ensure quality teaching. Shadowing/helping. Unannounced visits from elders/experienced teachers quarterly to provide feedback. Written feedback form for the students so that parents are aware of child’s development.
- More studies in NT.
- Hold a class to prepare teachers for the upcoming quarter and discuss teaching ideas/tools.
- More inspirational
- Three children’s classes a week are too many. Perhaps a Sunday night assembly with everyone in auditorium. Quizzes.
- More teacher training. Training on use of work room. More teachers.
- More options and variety.
- New and fresh speakers
- More teachers to give other teachers a break.
- Teens: More active participation. Interaction with teens from other congregations.
- Improve adult students
- Kids classes: three year through the Bible is cumbersome. Topical studies at older levels.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Survey Results: Subjects You Want More Preaching On
- Living a pure life. Practical not just theoretical. Marriage vs. living together
- Home and family
- Daily Christian living. Good works. Practical subjects
- More practical application
- Modern problems
- Sex
- Jeff: series on Fruit of the Spirit/works of the flesh and other text based lessons. David: contemporary issues as applied to Bible principles.
- Steps on being saved. Steps on improving Christian life.
- Bible basics
- All subjects even hard ones. More variety.
- Service to one another. Christian interaction. Call each other by name.
- Walking in the light with every day application. What to avoid. What to do properly. More on what it means to be part of the body. Serving others.
- Everyday Christian living. How to become a leader of the church (men and women)
- “was” and “am” as it pertains to who we were and who we now are. Self evaluation: Lord I was a will full sinner now I am your forgiven child.
- Christ, Love, Gospel.
- God’s love. Christian encouragement.
- Humanism. Relativity of Christian life on current life and times.
- No more comments about Homosexuals or America’s ruin or lack of school prayer or the like. Jeff’s sermon on Porn. was good, we need more stuff like that.
- Prioritizing personal life. Mentoring from older to younger Christians. Practical lessons in connecting with people from a different walk of life (race, age, etc.)
- Home and family
- Daily Christian living. Good works. Practical subjects
- More practical application
- Modern problems
- Sex
- Jeff: series on Fruit of the Spirit/works of the flesh and other text based lessons. David: contemporary issues as applied to Bible principles.
- Steps on being saved. Steps on improving Christian life.
- Bible basics
- All subjects even hard ones. More variety.
- Service to one another. Christian interaction. Call each other by name.
- Walking in the light with every day application. What to avoid. What to do properly. More on what it means to be part of the body. Serving others.
- Everyday Christian living. How to become a leader of the church (men and women)
- “was” and “am” as it pertains to who we were and who we now are. Self evaluation: Lord I was a will full sinner now I am your forgiven child.
- Christ, Love, Gospel.
- God’s love. Christian encouragement.
- Humanism. Relativity of Christian life on current life and times.
- No more comments about Homosexuals or America’s ruin or lack of school prayer or the like. Jeff’s sermon on Porn. was good, we need more stuff like that.
- Prioritizing personal life. Mentoring from older to younger Christians. Practical lessons in connecting with people from a different walk of life (race, age, etc.)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Survey Results: Areas the Congregation is Doing Well
These are the responses to the question, "In what areas is the congregation doing well?"
- Friendliness
- Good teachers, lots of classes
- Improved singing. Members are tolerant and friendly.
- Accepting of new (different) individuals. Good prayers. Good Bible study.
- Very loving, helpful, hospitable congregation. Excellent teachers. Good teaching program.
- Love and concern for all.
- Faithfulness
- Close knit group. Bible classes and preaching good. Welcoming to visitors.
- Friendliness
- Caring for those members in need
- Not being judgmental
- Open friendly atmosphere
- Love and caring for each other
- Good work with international students.
- Loving and caring for each other. Opening homes up for studies, showers, etc. Love the diversity of cultures. Welcoming visitors. Singing. Willingness to serve elderly. Excellent adult class teachers.
- Welcoming to visitors (should be more welcoming to each other)
- All
- Supporting brethren in times of need. Handle disputes effectively. Eldership is strong.
- Very close knit family that cares for each other deeply.
- Love the family feel of the congregation.
- Basic teaching. Worship. Fellowship. Finances. Adult classes.
- Most everything.
- Plenty of conversation before and after services. On track with personal work and in home Bible studies.
- Friendliness
- Good teachers, lots of classes
- Improved singing. Members are tolerant and friendly.
- Accepting of new (different) individuals. Good prayers. Good Bible study.
- Very loving, helpful, hospitable congregation. Excellent teachers. Good teaching program.
- Love and concern for all.
- Faithfulness
- Close knit group. Bible classes and preaching good. Welcoming to visitors.
- Friendliness
- Caring for those members in need
- Not being judgmental
- Open friendly atmosphere
- Love and caring for each other
- Good work with international students.
- Loving and caring for each other. Opening homes up for studies, showers, etc. Love the diversity of cultures. Welcoming visitors. Singing. Willingness to serve elderly. Excellent adult class teachers.
- Welcoming to visitors (should be more welcoming to each other)
- All
- Supporting brethren in times of need. Handle disputes effectively. Eldership is strong.
- Very close knit family that cares for each other deeply.
- Love the family feel of the congregation.
- Basic teaching. Worship. Fellowship. Finances. Adult classes.
- Most everything.
- Plenty of conversation before and after services. On track with personal work and in home Bible studies.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Shepherds
Zechariah 11:16 describes the work of a Shepherd over his flock of people…
- Visit those who are about to perish
- Seek those who are straying away
- Heal the wounded
- Feed the sound
Visit Those Who are About to Perish
Elders should care for those elderly members in the congregation who have lived a long life in service to the Lord. Generally, they are at a point in their lives where their health is failing and much of their time is spent going to see doctors and taking medications. Additionally, many are widows who must bear the problems of life without a loved one to help and support them. Elders must lead the way in caring for the elderly in the congregation and motivate others to help.
Seek Those Who are Straying Away
Some versions render this, “Look after the young”. Older sheep learn to stay in the safety of the flock. They have been conditioned to be flock animals. It is usually the younger ones who stray whether it be in a flock or in a church. It would be difficult to even try to “drive” an older member from the congregation the young however are occasionally looking for something new and exciting. Elders need to recognize this and not let the young stray too far. They must be “herded” back and encouraged to develop good assembly habits.
Heal the Wounded
Sin has a “wounding” effect on us. Left untreated we can become spiritual cripples, maimed by unresolved sin. Elders need to be on the look out for behaviors that are not Christ-like and not be afraid of addressing those behaviors. Sin can cripple us but it doesn’t have to. God’s wonderful grace can make that wound go away so there is not even a scar left. Elders are a part of that healing process.
Feed the Sound
Proper nutrition prevents a lot of illnesses. Those who are “sound” need to be nourished so they can continue their growth as a Christian. Left unnourished and unchallenged the sound can become weak and lackadaisical in their spiritual responsibilities. When the sound are nourished properly they too can help the “perishing”, the “straying” and the “wounded”.
Elders have a responsibility to everyone in the congregation. They must recognize each person’s special needs. The goal is to present spiritually healthy and unblemished sheep to the Father. The reward will be great.
- Visit those who are about to perish
- Seek those who are straying away
- Heal the wounded
- Feed the sound
Visit Those Who are About to Perish
Elders should care for those elderly members in the congregation who have lived a long life in service to the Lord. Generally, they are at a point in their lives where their health is failing and much of their time is spent going to see doctors and taking medications. Additionally, many are widows who must bear the problems of life without a loved one to help and support them. Elders must lead the way in caring for the elderly in the congregation and motivate others to help.
Seek Those Who are Straying Away
Some versions render this, “Look after the young”. Older sheep learn to stay in the safety of the flock. They have been conditioned to be flock animals. It is usually the younger ones who stray whether it be in a flock or in a church. It would be difficult to even try to “drive” an older member from the congregation the young however are occasionally looking for something new and exciting. Elders need to recognize this and not let the young stray too far. They must be “herded” back and encouraged to develop good assembly habits.
Heal the Wounded
Sin has a “wounding” effect on us. Left untreated we can become spiritual cripples, maimed by unresolved sin. Elders need to be on the look out for behaviors that are not Christ-like and not be afraid of addressing those behaviors. Sin can cripple us but it doesn’t have to. God’s wonderful grace can make that wound go away so there is not even a scar left. Elders are a part of that healing process.
Feed the Sound
Proper nutrition prevents a lot of illnesses. Those who are “sound” need to be nourished so they can continue their growth as a Christian. Left unnourished and unchallenged the sound can become weak and lackadaisical in their spiritual responsibilities. When the sound are nourished properly they too can help the “perishing”, the “straying” and the “wounded”.
Elders have a responsibility to everyone in the congregation. They must recognize each person’s special needs. The goal is to present spiritually healthy and unblemished sheep to the Father. The reward will be great.
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