What Does the Scripture Say?

The Lord has blessed my family in a tremendous way. He has given us a real church home, filled with His love and people. There are so many wonderful things that I love about our little fellowship. Here are just a few, this is not an exhaustive list by any means, nor is it in order of importance. Interspersed in random order are a few pictures of the church on Sunday.

1) Jesus Christ and His work on the cross are preeminent in teaching, singing and fellowship
2) The preaching is verse by verse, expository through books of the Bible
3) We have an extended prayer time where fathers are encouraged to pray for each family member by name. We all get to pray for each other by name.
4) We meet from house to house which provides an intimate, homey atmosphere
5) We have an interactive sermon which lends itself to great questions, biblical answers and authentic relationships
6) We have godly elders who walk in humility and don’t lord it over us
7) We encourage families to worship together during the assembly
8) We sing the hymns of old, filled with rich, biblical doctrine
9) We share a meal together every week which allows time for sweet fellowship
10) There is an understanding of the biblical principles that lead us to educate our children at home
11) The meeting is geared to equip the fathers to disciple their wives and children
12) There is a great emphasis on reaching out to and supporting widows and orphans
13) There are a variety of family sizes and ages within the body
14) The more experienced ladies are eager and willing to engage in Titus 2 type of relationships
15) There is an acceptance and love for each other that covers a multitude of sins and even dissimilarities in minor doctrines
16) There are a multitude of godly, capable men who teach the Word
17) The relationships we have with each other are very real, there is a transparency and genuineness that is hard to find
18) Children get to experience corporate worship with their families
19) The young men are included in the impromptu and more formal men’s meetings, thus learning how to become godly leaders one day
20) We don’t solicit for funds (there is a ‘plate’, but it doesn’t get ‘passed’) but rely on the Lord to place on each family’s heart what to give
21) Since we don’t have to pay for a building, more money can go directly to orphans, widows, missionaries and helping those in need
22) An email is sent out each week with prayer requests, what verses of Scripture we’ll be covering, which hymns we’ll be singing, etc. This is a real catalyst for families to have a family worship time during the week where fathers can go over the Scriptures and all can practice the hymns, sitting still, etc.
23) A different family each month gets to select the hymns, which is a real treat
24) People in the church seek out opportunities to witness. There’s a real sense of evangelism and we spur each other on with our gospel sharing experiences.
25) The name of Jesus and the things of the Lord are upon our lips in conversations around the table and throughout the day
26) Children get to be with their friends, yet not unsupervised; an adult or two seem to always be in ear shot
27) Children and even grandchildren get to see their fathers teaching others the Word
28) The ladies share home schooling tips and home keeping experiences with each other
29) There is much counsel from man to man on raising children for the Lord
30) We purposely meet only once a week thus avoiding a building centered ministry and the family break up that usually ensues
31) We gather for prayer, the apostles’ teaching, fellowship and the breaking of bread; all things are done to the glory of God and the edification of the saints
32) The meeting of the church is so wonderful and the fellowship in the Lord so sweet that many times my family doesn’t get home until after 5pm! (we start at 10am)

For all these reasons and so many more, we praise our God and Savior Jesus Christ for building His church and the blessings of being a part of it.