DESIRING A FAMILY            By Carl McMurray

This past week Lorna and myself were traveling down south. While visiting my parents and acquaintances we were able to visit three different congregations of God’s people. I like to do that. I like to see how other church families of the same faith worship; how they sing, and pray and teach, and how they welcome others into their midst. And just like the physical act of visiting other families, I’m always glad to get home to mine, here at Anderson.  

The New Testament church is referred to in Scripture by a variety of designations. Each one has meaning and speaks to the different needs of men, in different ages. If you want to speak of national power, organization, rule, and authority, you can read about the church/kingdom. If you want to speak about cooperation, team work, and headship, you can study the church/body.  If you want to speak of Jesus’ love and care for us, there is the church/flock and if we want to see our proper love and submission for Him, there is the church/bride.  

There is also a designation that speaks to the care and concern that Christians ought to have for one another. It reflects their relationship with each other. Here we can read about the church/household, Galatians 6:10. The term “household” is the Bible word for our modern day term, “family.” So yes, the church is a family. Now you are probably right to ask, “What is the point?” 

The point of my rambling is to note that God’s people are not cast in one mold or image. Different people in different ages would be drawn to see their need of God in different ways and for different reasons. In our time and culture the home is fracturing and people are suffering. The lack of stability and good role models is making shambles of the next generation of families. For that reason, many today are looking for the family they never had at home. They’re searching diligently, even if sometimes they not exactly sure what they’re searching for in a church. 

We want you to know that you are welcome in this place, the Anderson church of Christ. We are just trying to be New Testament Christians here, no more and no less than the family of God. We have all sinned here, and unfortunately, we may continue to be tempted and give in. But, for this reason we are able to welcome other sinners wishing to do better and desiring a family relationship that they can count on while weathering the storms of life. We appreciate your desire to do better and we hope we can encourage you to do so while you’re here.