This week has been somewhat difficult due to the emotional strain from the resignation from Logan Road and the reaction of the majority of the congregation. The morning started with a phone call from Chas' sister to tell him that his dad was going to begin to be cared for by the local hospice. He has battled Alzheimer's for several years and has declined greatly over the past two months. They have begun to puree his food and he doesn't like it, thus eating has declined greatly. It is our understanding that with the rate of decline, he is looking at months. It was difficult for Chas as he received this news, then paperwork faxed to him to sign for the funeral home when the time comes, as well as the handwritten obituary that would be submitted to the printers at the proper time.
This past week or so has been extremely taxing on us, but the Lord's grace is ever present. We have been blessed with good friends who love and encourage us. When we got home from work today, a letter from a couple in the Logan Road congregation was in the mailbox. Chas asked me to open it and read it aloud (we were soaked from riding through a horrible rain storm, but wanted to read it before we changed). I literally had to stop reading the letter several times because I simply couldn't hold my composure. The couple have been in the congregation, and 'members' of Logan Road, at least from Chas' and my perspective, since circa 2003. However, those 2-3 with 'issues' had complained in the past because people, like this couple, would come regularly to worship, but had not 'committed' in membership. We love this couple and many others like them, who love the Lord. Let's face it people, we can become too legalistic in churches. Membership gives you a 'right to vote on important matters' according to some, but doesn't make or break your relationship with the Lord, nor the body of believers. In Acts, they were first called Christians at Antioch, not because they joined a particular fellowship but because they met together and taught. I clearly see in God's word that it is important to meet together and to teach the word (Acts 11:23-26) and that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, however, I do not see where we MUST JOIN A CHURCH BY MEMBERSHIP LETTER.
As I sit and complete this post, I must confess my love for Jesus, my family and friends, many of whom are like family. We simply can not express the love we have felt from our Lord and those with whom the Lord has deemed to meld our hearts with, in our personal day-to-day lives, at Logan Road and in HBW and LAHBW. We are excited as we watch the Lord work mightily in our lives at this time! How Great is Our God, sing with me, How Great is Our God....
This past week or so has been extremely taxing on us, but the Lord's grace is ever present. We have been blessed with good friends who love and encourage us. When we got home from work today, a letter from a couple in the Logan Road congregation was in the mailbox. Chas asked me to open it and read it aloud (we were soaked from riding through a horrible rain storm, but wanted to read it before we changed). I literally had to stop reading the letter several times because I simply couldn't hold my composure. The couple have been in the congregation, and 'members' of Logan Road, at least from Chas' and my perspective, since circa 2003. However, those 2-3 with 'issues' had complained in the past because people, like this couple, would come regularly to worship, but had not 'committed' in membership. We love this couple and many others like them, who love the Lord. Let's face it people, we can become too legalistic in churches. Membership gives you a 'right to vote on important matters' according to some, but doesn't make or break your relationship with the Lord, nor the body of believers. In Acts, they were first called Christians at Antioch, not because they joined a particular fellowship but because they met together and taught. I clearly see in God's word that it is important to meet together and to teach the word (Acts 11:23-26) and that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, however, I do not see where we MUST JOIN A CHURCH BY MEMBERSHIP LETTER.
As I sit and complete this post, I must confess my love for Jesus, my family and friends, many of whom are like family. We simply can not express the love we have felt from our Lord and those with whom the Lord has deemed to meld our hearts with, in our personal day-to-day lives, at Logan Road and in HBW and LAHBW. We are excited as we watch the Lord work mightily in our lives at this time! How Great is Our God, sing with me, How Great is Our God....
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