Singles Ministry News! See page 10.
The Broadcaster Proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord Issue 976
Look Who Is Coming To Dinner
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A home that shuts out the world from entering it is a home devoid of the grace of the Gospel.
ome of my favorite childhood memories relate to discussions at home around the dinner table. Mom would prepare a delicious meal, dad would pray, and the conversation would begin. We would talk about politics, about theology, about Scripture, about problems, about relationships, about the future, about most everything. We would laugh and sometimes argue. This was an hour of sharing life together. Often my parents invited guests to join us. Friends from church. Missionaries. Relatives. Friends from our neighborhood. Often people who were hurting. I was in high school when I first realized what a gift these meal-time conversations were. Some friends of mine who had been invited several times for supper at our house said something like, “Ritch, we love the mealtime in your family . . . sharing about life together.” They really loved “hanging out” with my dad and mom and siblings over dinner. So much good and joy came from those common, ordinary meals. Healthy families have open homes. This is the clear message of Scripture. A home that shuts out the world from entering it is a home devoid of the grace of the Gospel. The grace of God flows through a home that opens wide its doors for others to share in it. Such a home is a powerful instrument for Christ to minister His saving and strengthening grace. So central is an open home to Christ’s ministry through us that one of the qualities absolutely essential in a man in order to be qualified to be an elder of the church is that he be “hospitable” (cf 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). An elder cannot effectively lead the church if he is not hospitable because ministry begins with an open home. In Scripture, God often communicates His design to use us for His glory as we open our homes for others to enjoy relationship with us. My friends were impacted greatly by the love and relationship offered them in our home. Yes, we took them to church and to Vacation Bible School and to youth camps where the Gospel would be taught. But the strength of our family’s witness came from simpler roots. It came from an open home. I encourage you this month to open your home for the sake of God’s kingdom. You may be asking, “To whom should we open our home for the purpose of sharing life?” God tells us that three groups of people should have invitation to share life with us in the context of our home. (Continued on page 2)
Dr. Ritch Boerckel Senior Pastor
February 2013 2
Over the Coffee Cup
3
Missions
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Elder News From Pastor Ritch
4
Bringing the Bible to Life
5
Open Hearts Open Homes
6
February Birthdays & Anniversaries
7
Calendar
8
Marriage Maintenance Checkups
8
Enhancing Your Marital Friendship Seminar
8
Valentine’s Banquet
9
Children’s Ministry
10 Bulletin Board of Events
11 Women’s Ministry Events
11 Men’s Ministry Events 12 Sign up for the web edition
12 First Prayer