I recently ran across this story called, "A Judge's Haunting Words" by an anonymous writer. "I went to Bible classes when I was small and learned all about God. After I was married I decided to go again and take my children. I couldn't persuade my husband to go, but the children and I went regularly for a year. Then I skipped a Sunday. And soon I skipped two or three. Then we went only on special days. Soon I joined a bowling team that competed on Sunday. I could go to worship and Bible classes, but I would have to give up bowling. Bowling won the battle.

Not long ago in a courtroom, I heard the judge say, "Twenty years!" He was pronouncing a sentence on my 21-year-old son for a robbery that ended in the death of a man. The sentence might have been less, but my son took a sneering, defiant attitude all through the trial; ridiculing every officer and official in the courtroom.

But the crowning, shocking climax came when the judge sternly asked, "Young man, don't you believe in God?"

My son laughed and said, "God? Who's that?" Every person in the courtroom turned to look at me. If only I had those years to live over! I would attend Bible classes and worship services faithfully and make sure my children attended as well.

I wonder how many times parents have made this same statement? If only they could turn back the clock and put God first in their marriages and in their children's lives. In far too many cases the damages are already done. Make no mistake about it!

We are rearing a new generation of children who literally have no clue concerning God because the generation before them didn't teach them! Children will not of their own volition learn about the Lord. God places children in our care to bring them up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4).

Parents must wake up before some judge places a jail sentence upon their children. We will all give an account to God one day for our young ones. If our children lose their souls for all eternity, we would feel terrible, and yet, we can start by training them in the ways of God. We must begin with ourselves first! See you in church this Lord's Day?   

(Daily Devotional By J. Raymond Pecoraro Wooddale Church of Christ )

 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (1 Thess. 4:9-10).

Paul in 1 Thess. 4:9-10 commends the Thessalonians on their brotherly love and encourages them to keep on loving one another.  I feel that way, and I am sure you do too about the Camden Ave. congregation, we are a warm and friendly group of Christian but Paul would want us to keep up the good work in being friendly and kind to one another.  Not only is this biblical but it is also important to growing the church of Christ.

In a recent survey by Thom S. Rainer, he reported that 41% of Non-Christians who became Christians and 61% of Christians who transferred their membership to another congregation came because of the friendliness of the congregation. Of course, there are other major factors like evangelism, doctrine, and Biblical preaching, but we must not overlook friendliness of the members of the congregation, our friendliness is important to helping teach and showing the lost what we believe about Christ and His Word.   

      Many individuals have either turned to or away from the Lord because of the welcome extended or neglected by a local church.  All Christians should be concerned about being friendly and greeting one another especially our guests at every service.  Here are some suggestions that may help each of us in greeting those who visit the services of the church: 

• Go to our guests and welcome them; do not wait for them to come to you and introduce yourself.
• Greet all age groups.
• After you have met them, help introduce them to others.
• Especially if they have children show them their classroom, nursery, and restrooms.
• Make sure they receive a bulletin.
• Invite them to other church activities, church dinners, or out to lunch.
• Ask them to fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the offering basket.
• Ask them to sit beside you.
• Invite them back to our next time of meeting.

“Five minutes—that is all it takes to make a positive or negative impression on guests to our worship services. Those first impressions often determine if guests will return. Because those first five minutes are so important, we want to do everything we can to make sure our guests are sought out, greeted, and made to feel welcome.

I am asking ALL of our members to take one simple step to help make sure our guests feel welcome. For the first five minutes before or after each worship service is started or dismissed, will you look for guests to greet. This is the most important thing we can do to be seen as a friendly and warm congregation. Will you invest five minutes in eternity?” (Adopted from:  http://yourchurchcangrow.com) 

Remember: “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…” (Proverbs 18:24).

Written by Mark T. Tonkery 

Growing Churches have elders who are spiritual men of wisdom and vision who are deeply interested in the souls they shepherd. (1 Thes. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 3:1-7)

Growing Churches have deacons who believe they must be servants in order to become deacons, and as deacons, they rejoice at the privilege to serve. (1 Tim. 3:8-13)

Growing Churches have preaching that exalts Christ and His word, that proclaims the “whole counsel of God,” and challenges members and non-members in a bold yet loving way to draw nearer to God. (2 Tim. 4:2-4, Acts 20:27, Eph. 4:15)

Growing Churches have an educational program that stimulates members to know more of God’s word and to better apply its truth to everyday life. (2 Pet. 3:18, Eph. 4:2)

Growing Churches regard worship as a privilege rather than a chore. The singing is enthusiastic, the Lord’s Supper is thoughtfully observed, prayers are humbly offered, and the brethren give generously as they have prospered. People bring their Bibles and study because they want to know God. (John 4:24, Ps. 116:12, Eph. 5:19, Jam. 5:16, 1 Cor. 16:1-2)

Growing Churches make visitors feel at home. Others can see the unity, warmth, and love that exists among the people of God. (John 13:34-35)

Growing Churches make a diligent effort to teach the lost and restore the fallen. (Acts 5:42, Gal. 6:1-2)

Growing Churches have young people who are cared for by the whole church and who act as examples of the faith. (1 Tim. 4:12)

Growing Churches respond to goals and challenges because every member is focused on glorifying Christ. (Phil. 2:5-11)

Growing Churches exhibit the mind of Christ by being humble, serving and obedient to the Father. (Phil. 2:5-11)

Taken from http://www.skywayhills.org/bulletin_PDF/2007_7_29.pdf

By Harold Shank

Taken From Bulletin Digest P.O. Box 575 Cisco, Tx 76437

Why should I invite? Oscar Wilde's Aunt Jane once gave a grand party. She died of embarrassment when nobody came. It was only at her funeral that it was revealed that she had never mailed the invitations.

People come to church because they are invited. It is one thing for us to logically see that point, and quite another thing to permit ourselves to actually issue an invitation.

We don't want to bother people. We don't want to be embarrassed. We don't want to raise the religious question because it makes us uncomfortable. Yet, we do other things that are not comfortable. We paint the house in 90-degree weather because we know we'll have more problems if we don't. We squirm all day before we ask the boss for a raise, but we do it because we need the extra money.

We invite people to church because Jesus set the example and raised our expectations. You know the verse about "seeking and saving the lost" and "go into all the world." Our culture tells us "don't bug others," and "live and let live." The contrast between what society demands and what our Savior expects is clear.

We invite, not because it is easy or comfortable or acceptable, but because it is part of our role as Christians. A 19th-century philosopher told a story about a man seeing a sign in a store window in a small European town. The sign said, "Pants Pressed Here." He went in and started to remove his trousers. The clerk asked what he was doing. The man said, "I saw your sign and wanted my pants pressed." The clerk responded, "Oh, we don't press pants here. We just paint signs."

It says "Church of Christ" out in the front of our building. Do we serve him and others for Him, or do we just paint signs?