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Bulletin Article Archives Church Leadership & Attendance Click on the title to move to the selected article and then on my name at the conclusion of the article to return to this directory.
This issue could be described by such words as challenging, controversial, current, and complex. Perhaps the most appropriate term is change. Modern times have witnessed sweeping changes and dramatic calls for reform in the role women play in various areas of society. These demands of our modern world will soon (if not already) be knocking on the doors of our congregations. The pressure to conform is great, but even greater is the conviction to abide in God's Truth. This plea to search and stand in the Truth must always take precedence over the urgent calls to comply with the wishes of the world. Just as in past areas of baptism, music in worship, and church organization, God's people must reject any innovations not blessed with the sanction of Truth (foreign to scripture). What God has commanded in regard to the role of Christian women in worship is clear: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent" (1 Timothy 2:12). It is undeniably God's will that men serve as spiritual leaders for the people of God. Countless opportunities to reveal otherwise were left untouched by both God and His spokesmen. Why God has commanded such is also made clear: "For Adam was formed first, then, Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived: it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner" (1 Timothy 2:13-14). The concept herein expressed is not conditional to the political correctness of any given society but in the very origin of the human race. From the dawn of humanity God established a pattern of leadership that the constant marching of time and the urgent pleas of culture are powerless to erase. To do so would only result in rejecting the God who established it and that is never worth the cost of change. February 28, 1993 Jesus alone possesses absolute authority (Matt. 28:18). He is the singular ruler of His church (Eph. 1:22-23). This church is not a democracy where popular opinion gauges doctrine, because every individual will answer ultimately to none other but Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). A portion of the absolute authority of Christ is delegated within a local congregation to qualified leaders selected to serve as elders over that congregation. These men, under whose authority members willingly subject themselves, become responsible for their use of that authority, or accountable for its abuse or non-use. To function as bishops/overseers demands that their authority be exercised in making decisions in the best interest of the Christians they represent. To function as pastors/shepherds requires that their authority be exercised in compassion, understanding and unselfishness. In understanding the work and function of the eldership one can clearly see the need to appreciate their authority. What does this mean for you? It means that your obligation does not end with choosing men you feel are qualified to lead this congregation and shepherd its members. You must be willing to submit to their authority, follow their leadership and support the work of this congregation towards the realization of the goals outlined by the elders. When you accept the authority of Christ, the absolute and authoritative Head of this church. November 8, 1998 The CEO model of leadership, when applied to church government, proves ineffective. The missing element is a clear understanding of the role of shepherding as a means of leadership. This problem is well stated in these excerpts from the book, Leadership in the Local Church, written by Norman Hogan. "A group of elders in a local church who actually do their job of shepherding or pastoring the flock of God usually have little difficulty with that flock when they do their bishop function, that is, when they make their decisions on behalf of the flock. The trouble comes in many cases when elders look upon their function as being totally that of bishops, that is, of making decisions, handing them down to the members and demanding complete compliance. When this is done in the absence of true shepherding, resentment often results and refusal to comply sometimes is seen" (25). "When you find an eldership which really shepherds the flock, you have found an eldership which has the confidence of the flock. The flock will follow the eldership when bishop-type decisions must be made. Good shepherding can make good bishops" (29). November 15, 1998 What is our goal for tomorrow? Goal setting is very much a part of New Testament Christianity. The first Christians were emboldened by the inspired goal of bringing the world to Christ (Mat. 28:18-20). What is our goal? Goals are important because they clarify the purpose of the church. How does a specific event or function contribute to the overall purpose of the local church? How can we best contribute to the primary goal set before us by God? What am I, personally, doing to further the realization of this supreme goal? Goals make the local work more manageable. Winning the world for Christ may appear overwhelming. Having two Bible studies in the next six months is a goal within anyone's grasp and will contribute to the overall goal. Goals are measurable. A simple evaluation of the facts reveals one's strengths and weaknesses in pursuing a goal. How many Sunday mornings in the past month did you attend worship services? The answer is measurable and revealing. Goals are biblical. One of the classic passages of church leadership (Eph. 4:11-ff) is filled with inspired goals just waiting for the church to build upon. The church must build on these biblical goals to realize God's goals. November 29, 1998 Leading the 21st Century Church A man, decked in a disheveled uniform and out of breath, stopped at a remote country gas station to ask the attention if he had seen a group of fourteen boys pass that way. "Why, yes," responded the worker, "about twenty minutes ago. They were headed that way." "Thank you," replied the man as he started down the road, "I have to catch up with them because I'm their leader." Christian leadership is rightly associated with the office of Elder. However, its repercussions run much deeper. The truism that the church can never exceed its leadership is challenging. As we consider the next generation we face our greatest questions of leadership: Who will lead us? How will they lead us? Where will they lead us? If the Bible is our guide in answering these questions the future of the church will be in good hands, God's! July 7, 1996 Godliness is no secret. Humanity has not been left in the dark, groping for God's will. Through divine providence the mind of God has been recorded in words and assembled in what we call the Holy Bible. Holiness is not a mystery. God has taken the concepts presented in the Bible and woven them into the lives of submissive subjects and called them "Christians." These He has gathered into His church to show to the entire world the multifaceted wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). Righteousness is no riddle. Our Creator cultivates it in our lives as we yield to His commands and function within His church. Then, over time, certain ones begin to distinguish themselves in service, devotion and concern for the work of God. Their desire to please the Father is evident in their professional area of expertise, in their homes and in the community. Others have watched them and learned how to put God first. The hurting have found comfort and compassion on their shoulder. They have become examples for others to model their lives after. Then they become elders. Godliness, holiness and righteousness are not hazy concepts Heaven demands without explaining how they are to be acquired. That is why we have been added to the church. That is why God has given us the office of elder, for an example April 2, 1995 Looking over the world, Peter said that the Devil was on the loose (1 Peter 5:8). Paul warns of the shrewd tactics of the Prince of Darkness (2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14). The combatants have been identified and the battle lines have been drawn. The plunder is your soul and the stakes are eternal. Looking over lost humanity, God knew that the stakes were high so He sent His Son. Jesus defeated Satan by experiencing the grip of death and, on his own authority, exiting the tomb. Because it was so important the Holy Spirit revealed, for the apostles to record, the mind of God to guide us to safety. Still, Satan has convinced countless numbers to avoid the narrow path and to stroll with him the broad way (Matthew 7:13). Looking over the church and seeing the need for someone to lead, God ordained that bishops be appointed in every church. These men have been charged with the business of guarding your soul. They protect the church from false teaching and false teachers (Titus 1:9). They guide the church towards the horizon of spiritual maturity. They care. They hurt. They pray. They provide for the church of God (1 Timothy 3:5). They serve, looking over your soul, so that you can look over into glory. April 9, 1995 From the beginning God has sought out leaders. Some, like Adam and Saul, suffered from severe moral failure. Others, like Samson, appear successful in spite of persistent struggles with immaturity and lapses in common sense. Moses had his advisors, Jesus his apostles and the church its elders and deacons. To be scripturally organized a congregation needs qualified men to serve in these capacities. God has clearly revealed his intended design within the pages of the New Testament, including specific qualifications for deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13) and elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). The responsibility of these works must be approached with great gravity. Each member of each congregation must search the scriptures, understand God's plan for the church, examine the lives and characters of their fellow Christian's family, and pray that the unity, harmony and scriptural soundness of the local church will be protected as the church moves forward to continue faithful in God's Will. The integrity of God's design for his church and the souls of countless lost are at stake. September 6, 1998 Church leadership demands a heavy toll on the family of those selected to lead. Beyond the time factor involved in interaction with the flock, visiting, teaching and counseling, lurks the drain on emotions, the taxing of energy and the constant effort of implementing the Will of God in one's personal life. With this in mind Paul's attention turned inevitably to those closest to the perspective leaders: their wives. Just as certain qualifications define the man's capacity to lead, the apostle recognized appropriate traits in his helpmeet that will permit him to serve. Without the support and understanding of a loving, spiritual wife, a man, no matter how qualified an elder or deacon, will be handicapped as a leader. The "women" of 1 Timothy 3:11 are not assigned an official title (the men are termed "bishops and deacons"). If not an office, the question can be raised as to why this verse is so closely connected to the discussion of deacons while nothing is said regarding the elder's wife? Perhaps Paul has made the assumption that a man could never meet the requirements for the eldership without the wife possessing or surpassing these traits. If so, he is merely saying at this point that the deacon's wife must also exhibit these attributes. His role is impossible without her. October 25, 1998 The Official and Unofficial Use of the Word "Deacon" In this study we dealing with three forms of the Greek word diakonos, translated by the English words minister, serve, office, relief and the transliterated "deacon." This word group describes the position or act of serving. Its basis is in the Greek word "dieko," meaning to run, as on an errand. "Deacon," in whichever form it is translated, is used in both an official and unofficial capacity. By that I mean it describes either a common act of helping (or the person who is helping) or one occupying a position of leadership from which he engages in acts of service. The context must be relied on to make this determination. Three examples will serve to illustrate this point. 1. John 12:26. In this context the act of serving is not related to any one individual but rather to all individuals who would profess to follow Jesus. Here it is very general. All faithful Christians are to be "deacons." 2. Romans 16:1. Phoebe is here described as a "servant" of the church. In the Revised Standard Version the word is actually translated "deaconess" (a translation reserved for the margin in the New International Version). That she performed a vital work of serving is inescapable. Yet there was no "office" for her to occupy within the revealed pattern of church leadership. Here is a more specific, unofficial use of the term as it relates to an individual serving as a Christian. 3. Philippians 1:1. In addressing the church at Philippi Paul recognized two distinct positions of leadership: elders (or bishops) and deacons. It is the latter position which has clearly expressed qualifications delineated in 1 Timothy chapter three. In this official capacity the word is used in its most precise sense. October 11, 1998 God expects the best from his elders, as the impressive list of qualifications indicates (1 Tim. 3:1-7). When Paul's attention turns to those who would serve as deacons the standards remain lofty. "Likewise deacons must be ..." (1 Tim. 3:8). There is an inescapable note of certainty in the list that follows. These appear to be far more than a gathering of a few suggestions. The qualities represent more than some apostolic good ideas. These traits are to be demanded of those who represent Christ in the official capacity of deacons. As you prayerfully consider these qualifications, think first of how well they describe your life as a Christian servant (God wants all of His people to be "deacons"). Then "look out among you" those men who match well the description given by Paul. These will be the men best qualified and suited to provide strong leadership as deacons. October 18, 1998 Four men bore the name Philip in the New Testament. One was an apostle (John 1:43-51). One was a king's son (Mat. 14:3). One was a governor (Luke 3:1). One served tables (Acts 6:5). This latter Philip was no ordinary waiter. His selection to fulfill the work of serving tables reveals deep spiritual traits (Acts 6:3). Seeing the need and heeding the call, Philip set out to be the best servant he could be. When persecution settled upon the young church, its members began to scatter. The need was no longer to wait tables but to spread the Gospel of Jesus in the new areas into which they fled. Philip, true to his nature, accepted that challenge also. His travels brought him to Samaria where his powerful preaching met with immediate success (Acts 8:12). Philip's preaching even touched the hardened heart of Simon, a sorcerer, and the searching heart of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:13-39). His was an exciting life. Do you find yourself saying, "If only God used us as He did Philip"? The truth is that God's not only willing, but ready to do just that. When you look at the basic outline of Philip's life you will find what God desires to do with yours. Philip went from sinner to saved, from saved to servant and from servant to preacher. By virtue of simply sharing his faith, Philip became an evangelist (Acts 21:8). So must we. October 20, 1996 If we were to take an informal poll of the general public to ascertain a definition of the word "deacon" we would likely get many interesting replies. Perhaps the most common response would be the ambiguous answer of "church officials." In our own fellowship we are often not any more clear or precise on the purpose, function and responsibility of the deacon. Charles Hodge, a well-known preacher from Texas, has stated the problem this way, "Preachers are doing the work of elders, elders the work of deacons, deacons the work of members, and members are doing nothing." This is the very situation leadership is designed to avoid. Church leadership's goal is not to absolve the individual member to be more intimately involved in the work of the church (Eph. 4:12). One overlooked factor in achieving that scriptural goal is the deacon. So we must ask again, What is a deacon? The English word "deacon" is a transliteration of the Greek word "diakonos," which means a servant. This is a general term that is applied to individual Christians (Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 2 Tim. 1:18), government officials (Rom. 13:4), angels (Mt. 4:11; 2 Cor. 11:15) and Jesus (Lk. 22:27). It is sometimes applied to a specific leadership function in the local church focused on serving. Whether general or specific, a deacon is a servant and you are a "deacon." October 27, 1996 Questions regarding church attendance often relate to Sunday and Wednesday evening assemblies. At issue is whether Bible study and singing at home is an acceptable equivalent to attending the general church gathering. In your attempt to honestly arrive at an answer you are encouraged to jot down a few ideas along the following lines. 1. Why is the church commanded to assemble? Verse 18: Verse 19: Verse 20: Verse 21: Verse 24: 2. What are my reasons for being absent? a) b) c) d) After you have compared the above lists spend some time in sincere prayer seeking the courage and strength to put God first. The decision is yours and yours alone. Will we see you tonight? September 19, 1993 On November 22, 1963 the news of President Kennedy's assassination froze our nation in shock. Many can tell us exactly where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the news. The numbing days to follow are indelibly marked in their lives. History provides us with other such defining moments. Where were you when, in 1969, Neil Armstrong took that "giant leap for mankind" on the surface of the moon? What were you doing in August of 1974 when President Nixon resigned his office under the cloud of a scandal? Do you remember the shock of January 28, 1986, upon hearing news of the space shuttle Challenger explosion and the death of its seven crew members? Another less obvious but no less defining moment occurred at 9 AM this morning. What were you doing at the very moment the church was gathering for Bible study? Where were you when your fellow Christians turned their attention towards spiritual matters? What were you thinking when their thoughts turned to subjects that could strengthen them as individuals and the congregation as the Body of Christ? Your answers to these significant questions help to define who you are and what is important to you. No matter where you were you should have been in Bible class. March 16, 1997 Does It Matter Which Church You Attend? Unlike his disciples, Jesus was not impressed with the ornamented stones of Herod's Temple. In spite of its undeniable splendor as he looked down time's road he saw a barren mountaintop rising above the smoldering ruins that had been Jerusalem (Luke 21:5-6). Jesus respected the Temple (19:46). He taught in the Temple (20:1). But the Temple was not the true goal. That goal, heaven, could only be reached through the cross. Paul excavated the spiritual "foundation" of the Temple (Romans 9). The Temple stood as witness to the chosen people, the glory of God's presence, the written and spoken Word and an inspired system of worship (verse 4). Paul dug deeper and uncovered the foundation of a rich heritage in faithful examples and finally Christ himself (verse 5). Here is the only foundation upon which to build (1 Cor. 3:11). Many placed their trust in the Temple, rejecting this foundation, only to be disappointed. Such can never be the case with those who truly trust Christ. Ask the one who built on the sand (Matt. 7:26-27). He will tell you that the foundation does matter. May 22, 1994 It is nearly six o'clock Sunday evening. Your time off from work ticks slowly away and your list of chores is still long. The week ahead will be filled with deadlines, paperwork and mountains of expectations much like the week past. Your tired body tells you to relax and take it easy because you won't miss anything by staying in tonight. You would only miss the company of brothers and sisters meeting across town. They too are tired from various activities. They too face the demands awaiting them tomorrow. However they decided that what they need most is to be encouraged by the gathering church, encourage others, join in praises to God and prepare for the challenges ahead. It is six o'clock Sunday and we are talking about God's limitless love. We sing and pray about the endless flow of blessings His love presents to us. We are looking ahead to certain opportunities to show God our love for Him. We are celebrating God's limitless love by tearing down the limits of our own. July 24, 1994 Those who think the church is only a place to meet (when we want) to worship have no desire to pray for the church. Should they pray that the shingles will continue to keep out the rain? Should they pray that the paper between the pews is picked up before next Sunday? Do they prayer that the paint will not peel or the carpeting fade? To understand how to pray for the church one must first understand the church. The church is individual believers who associate one with another to carry out God's work. The church is elders who are charged with the responsibility to care for our souls. The church is ministers who lead us in God's truth. The church is deacons who serve the physical needs of the members. The church is teachers who study the Bible to first be changed themselves and then help others change. The church is members who lend a hand to save the lost. They give, they worship, they serve, they support, they work and they get tired. All these do all this because in Jesus they are bound together in one body. When you pray for the church you pray for us. Remember the time guests came on Saturday night or Sunday morning and you stayed with them rather than be with us? Do you remember the game that made you miss Wednesday night class? Do you remember the apathy that kept you home on Sunday evening? Did you know that the church was praying for you? The church needs your prayers. The church needs you. Do you pray for us? May 28, 1995 What did it take to get you here this morning? For some of us it took a special effort, as we are not in the habit of regular attendance. For others it required little thought or planning, it was Sunday and that's what you do on Sundays. Without a clear understanding of the church of Christ some of us will neglect the Lord's church and others of us will take it for granted. Prior to 1940 there was no known group of New Testament Christians meeting in Cape Girardeau, MO. By 1949 the congregation had 85 members and on October 19, 1952 they met for the first time in their new building at the corner of West End Blvd. and Bloomfield Rd. Beyond a congregation's unique history is a rich heritage that we could be guilty of taking for granted - the New Testament Church. If all you knew was denominationalism, would you seek the church of the New Testament? If you did not know how to establish a congregation based solely on the New Testament, and you didn't know of anyone else who had done it, would you have the courage to turn to the scripture and follow the pattern revealed therein? This congregation is here today in part because of just such courageous seekers. February 7, 1999 With the last day of school the arrival of summer is nearly complete. Ahead await vacations and cookouts and long days of coping with the ever rising heat index. In preparation for this season two familiar themes can be frequently spotted in church bulletins across the country: immodesty and attendance. The Bible is not silent on the subject of fashion (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3-4). For the Christian the governing principle is not cultural trends but modesty. This demands consideration of what is appropriate before God and how it will impact those we may encounter. In a "sex-saturated" society like ours these guidelines are essential. To combat the growing influences of society on the church, especially during this time of the year, bulletin articles that remind to be careful about how we dress are important. For many congregations summer means a drop in attendance. Bulletin articles designed to remind members to not "forsake the assembling of yourselves together" during the summer season will appear frequently across the nation. Although it is encouraging to see such an emphasis on the importance of worship, it is disheartening to realize not all Christians share such an appreciation of the church, or worship of our Creator. While enjoying the summer do not forget to Whom you belong. These "issues of summer" might help you become a better person by reminding you to obey God in all of life's choices. Why not use this summer to serve God? May 31, 1998 James was the first of the Twelve to give his life in service to his Master (Acts 12:2). John, his brother, was noted for his closeness to Jesus that enabled him to author a beautiful Gospel, stirring epistles and the mysterious visions of Revelation. Peter opened wide the doors of God's Kingdom using the keys of the Gospel received from Jesus Himself (Matthew 16:19; Acts 2). Andrew could claim none of these honors. He wrote no books and was less than prominent in the record of the early church penned by Luke. Andrew appears only a handful of times in the entire New Testament. Yet his name is always seen among the first four every time the disciples are listed. In John 1:40-42, it was Andrew that brought a coarse young fisherman named Simon to meet the man he was convinced was the Son of God. In John 6:8-9, it was Andrew that brought a child, willing to share the little he had, and 5,000 hungry souls were fed. In John 12:20-22, it was Andrew who helped some foreign guests in meeting Jesus, which became a sign of the beginning of the end for Jesus' earthly ministry. Andrew is remembered not for his prominent work of leading the early church but for his quite work of leading the lost, one by one, to meet their Savior. Andrew is remembered as a booster of the cause of Christ. With the nearing of VBS each of us can be "boosters" too. Invite your friends and neighbors to share in the valuable lessons that will be presented. Offer to bring them with you as you come. Teach them about Jesus by sharing what He has done for you. Serve them and you will be serving Jesus like Andrew did. July 18, 1993 In northern Minnesota the Mississippi River trickles towards the south without any indication of what it is about to become. As it progresses it receives the waters from the Wisconsin, Illinois and the Missouri Rivers, along with many other minor tributaries, to grow into the imposing current sweeping past the flood wall at Cape Girardeau, MO. It is difficult to imagine its beginning as an innocent looking stream. From relative small beginnings great things often come. How many people are brought to Christ by a simple invitation? Someone cared enough to invite them to a program offered by the church creating interest in things spiritual. Perhaps the invitation was even rejected at first but the caring, neighborly act was remembered to be acted upon later. A certain scribe asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” He was looking to justify his lack of concern for those he didn’t want to serve. In response Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). It was a powerful challenge to care about others. When we follow the admonition to “go and do likewise” doors of opportunity will open up to find our neighbors and let them know we care. It may begin with a simple VBS invitation. July 19, 1998 |
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