Endangered Species: The Biblical Family Approximately twenty years ago, a sociological experiment was initiated that had a single objective: to alter our concept of the “traditional” human family. To achieve this objective, curriculum was introduced to school children that began redefining the human family as just any group of people that “love” each other and who live together. The object of this exercise was not intended to foster feelings of acceptance for non-traditional families-families that may have suffered the loss of a father or who may have adopted an orphan from distant lands. The real objective was to distort the definition of a family and to erode moral resistance to immoral “family units”. Now, we see the effects of these experiments. In our society, a family is no longer predominantly or ideally recognized as the biblical model portrays-one man, one woman, for life. Rather a family can be virtually any group of people functioning together in society. Secular humanists are now working hard to erase any semblance of the biblical model from public consciousness. Case in point: Sarah Palin was nominated as the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate. She was instantly praised for her family values. But her political enemies wasted no time pointing out obvious failures in her immediate household. Andrew J. Cherlin, professor of Sociology and Public Policy at Johns Hopkins University, gleefully seized the opportunity to proclaim an end to the traditional human family: “What is important today, in other words, is not who you live with-and how you're legally bound to them-but rather how you feel about them.” He then concludes: “If the trend toward embracing greater diversity continues, however, convention stages a generation from now could easily look quite different from this year's. We could all be watching as a gay or lesbian candidate shouts out to his or her “rock” or “inspiration”: a same-sex partner, smiling from the VIP box. Welcome to our post-modern world. Forget the Bible, forget the whole of human social history, forget past legal precedents, what matters now- more than anything else-is how you feel about your family.” Cherlin and his cohorts are working hard to ensure you do not ever see a happy, successful, biblical family-ever. In his world, it doesn't exist. Which explains why they are working so hard to make sure you see all the flaws, which may be present in any “traditional” family. And note this: Cherlin is planning to break all traditional bounds-within one generation. And he has plenty of help as elected officials dance on the end of a string for powerful social lobbyists. There is an important lesson to learn here: Satan is patient. He'll accept the results next week, but is just as content to wait for the payoff to come in the next generation. If you pay close attention, he is telling you his plans. Paul says it like this, “we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Corinthians 2:11). Or at least, we shouldn't be. The problem is that far too many Christians silently, passively accept one tiny compromise after another. Then, when a “really important” issue comes to the surface, we kick and scream “family values”. One preacher recently sent out an email crying and bemoaning the homosexual agenda at work in the current election cycle. Meanwhile, he is in his third marriage (due to his adultery). Is it any wonder the world is finding our arguments for biblical families less than convincing? Changes are coming. Yes, even to a small town near you. Are you ready? You should be taking every opportunity to teach your children and grandchildren the biblical family model. More importantly, you should be living it. May God help us all to be conformed to His image and reject the world's. -Jared Jackson The ForestHill News 11/04/08 Via Montrose Church of Christ bulletin

Elgin Family News and Announcements

June 27-July 1 - Vacation Bible School at the Lafollette church.Sunday-Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Theme: Rise & Shine for Jesus.

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Next Sunday - Potluck after morning worship.

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Next Sunday: The men will have a business meeting at 5 p.m. and the ladies will meet upstairs to sign cards.

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Next Sunday night: Devotional and song service.

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July 17 - Vacation Bible School at the Jamestown church.

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Special thanks to the Oneida church for donating tables, chairs, and leftover VBS material to us this week!

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BIRTHDAYS: Wil Thornthwaite (June 29); Loretta “Granny” Savage (July 1).

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ANNIVERSARY: Tim and Sheila Freels (June 30) -22 years and Adam and Kim Chambers (July 2) - 5 years.

TIM AND ADAM SURE ARE SMART!!

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Betty Young Jeffers wants to thank the church for their love and support to Tray Smith (her great-grandson) and his family as he goes through cancer treatment.

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RECENT VISITORS: Hailey Branim of Elgin; Brittney & Kayla Leighty, Jessica Pearson, Jessie Hughett, Bethany Hatfield, Glenda Jo Phillips, Audrie & Kynlie Frogge of Robbins; Jimmy Seabolt of Oneida; C.J. Garrett & Tyler Myers of Jamestown; Bettye Brown of Old Hickory; Bonnie Brown of Hendersonville.

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Prayer Requests: Kelli Bailey; Lauren Baker; Estle Blaylock (broken ankle, Elsie Ellis' sister); Erica Todd Byrd; Marie Byrd (cancer); Adam Chambers; Glen Cordell; George Cross; David Duncan (prostate cancer has returned, friend of Tim Freels); Elsie Ellis; Paul Ellis (cancer); Reagan Free (1 month old baby of Tim and Judy Free, friends of Wendell); Sheila (K) Freels; Heather Griffith; Lily Huckeby; Kent Leach & family; Mike Norman; James Phillips (Dewayne's father, Huntsville Manor); Wanda Phillips; Tonya Sergent; Betty Sexton; Louise Sexton; Shane and Angel Sexton; Justin Smith; Tray Smith; Cheryl Strunk (lung cancer); Cecil Tinin (Tom's brother); Sammie Tinin; Chuck West (Highland Steel); Tom Wheeler (Elsie's son-in-law); Teresa Young; AND Ryan Bailey; Wally Baker; Thornthwaites (Carrie will be in Denver, CO next week); Glenn and Beulah Young (Destin, FL June 19-28); all others who are traveling, our military, everyone affected by the oil spill, and all political leaders of our nation.

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FOOD PANTRY ITEMS CANNED SPAGHETTI SAUCE

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

What do you want the Elgin Church of Christ to be like? Let your imagination run wild for a moment: friendliest church, most imposing worship services, best evangelistic emphasis, most benevolent, best-taught Bible school, strongest visitation program, most loving, best youth program, most generous…the choice is yours, you know!
Of course, I am not talking about what doctrine we will believe, practice and teach; the Lord has already decided that for us. If we want to be the church of Christ, then obviously we must do what Christ said or we are not His church. What I am talking about is the way we apply that doctrine. That is what really determines what the Elgin congregation will be like, and that is one decision that is left up to the membership. Let me explain.
Who decides what the attendance at services will be on any given Sunday or Wednesday? The membership decides! Who decides mow much the church will spend on evangelism or benevolence? Someone say, “The elders do,” or “The men of the congregation do.” Wrong! Oh, yes, the elders (or in congregations without elders, the men's business meetings) decide where the money will go, but the membership decides how much will be spent, because if we don't give it, the elders or those responsible can't spend it. What about the atmosphere of our assemblies, who decides that? Why, the membership, of course! You can't have a friendly church without friendly members. You can't have a loving church without loving members. You can't have enthusiastic, spirited worship without members who want to worship God in a spirited and zealous fashion.
One final question: Who decides whether or not we are a growing church, a stagnant church, or a dying church? You've begun to catch on, and you're right-you do! Oh, yes, the leadership lays a major part. I have always believed, and I think the Bible clearly teaches, that the church cannot outgrow its leadership. Generally speaking, the members will not go where their leaders will not lead and that's why many churches are stagnant, dying, or dead-because their leaders offer little or no example of real leadership for the members to follow. As the Bible says, “”Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18).
But ultimately, it again falls on the members to decide whether the church grows, maintains the status quo (a nice way of saying it remains stagnant), or dies. Even if a church has dynamic, visionary, on-fire leadership, if it does not have zealous members who are willing to follow their lead and involves themselves in the work, then the battle is lost. It takes great leaders and great followers to build a great church.
To a degree, the success or failure of the local congregation is in YOUR hands. YOU must decide how much visiting will be done, how many folks will be invited to attend our services, how much the Gospel will be shared in private conversations, and what kind of influence the church will have in the community by your own personal demeanor and example. Whether or not a local church grows will to a great degree, be determined by these factors. So, you see, the choice is really yours!
What do you want this congregation to be like and what would it be like if everyone else attended, participated, fellowshipped, worshipped, gave, and worked just as YOU do? It is a sobering thought, worthy of serious soul-searching consideration.

-Adapted for use in the Eglin Evangelist
taken from Green Plain Proclaimer
David McCain
Via Montrose Church of Christ bulletin

Please continue to pray for our military leaders and those who are serving under them and their families waiting here at home.

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-In Search of the Lord's Way - Sundays at 7 a.m. on Fox 43 (cable channel 11). -The Bible View - Sundays at 3:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on cable channel 5. -Preaching the Gospel - Sundays at 7:30 a.m. on WBXX 20 (cable channel and at 8 a.m. on Direct TV channel 321.

Our congregation members are striving to each read through the Bible in a year. The web page address for each month's schedule is shown below. It will open in a new window, so simply close the window in order to return to this page.

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/journey/readme.htm?level=beginning