GOSPEL MEETING! LADIES DAY’S! ETC!
Fifty years ago most congregations would have their annual meeting and maybe a VBS and that was about it. Many congregations would have a set week and other congregations would be informed that this is “our week” and don’t you plan anything for the same time. Occasionally there would be an area wide workshop but not a set pattern.
Progress through time and visit a congregation, check out their bulletin boards or read their bulletin and you will be informed of a lot of activities going on. Our bulletin boards and bulletin announcements are filled with information regarding upcoming Gospel meetings, Ladies Days, Youth Rally’s, Seminar’s, College Lectureships, School of Preaching Lectureships, VBS, workshops, singings etc.
So what does all this tell us?
It tells us that churches are alive and active. While there are dead congregations and lukewarm ones (Rev. 3:14-21), many of our congregations are working hard to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. You often hear the lament that people don’t attend these meetings etc. like they use to. Wait a minute. They may not be attending yours because they are busy at their home congregation. Today, if there are ten congregations in your area and each of them have two meetings a year that means twenty weeks. If they all have a ladies day (now most do) that means another ten Saturdays. If you have an activity and just your members show that is great! Don’t stop these efforts because you don’t have over flowing crowds.
It tells us that elders are endeavoring to feed the flock. Remember Paul’s instructions to the church at Ephesus, “…To feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Elderships want their members to be fed well so they plan various events for that very purpose. Thank God for godly elders today who are not just content with “holding our own.”
It tells us that members have an opportunity to grow. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Pet. 3:18). Peter admonishes us to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-11).
Of course we sometimes wear ourselves out. I’m reminded of the little saying, “Mary had a little lamb, it thought it was a sheep. It became a member of the church of Christ and died from lack of sleep.”
Thank God for congregations and elderships who work hard not only to preach the gospel and save souls but to help their members grow into productive Christians.
Larry