There is a strong bond between all of us. As a church family we love each other like no other kind of family on earth. Sure, we have parents, children, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings. I know we love our blood family, but our spiritual church family is special too, because there is blood that unites us as well.
When Paul is leaving the church at Ephesus he encourages the brethren and especially the elder shepherds with a goodbye speech. (There is a special relationship between elder shepherds and their ministers). Paul writes and says,
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28).
He charges these elders to guard themselves and the flock by overseeing and shepherding the church that was bought with Christ own blood. They would be wise to listen to their preacher because the task of caring for the church is a serious task. It is work that goes unnoticed and is cumbersome on their own spiritual burdens. That is why it is important that they take care of themselves as well. It would be impossible to care for the flock if the caretaker is not caring for himself.
I’m so thankful for our elder shepherds here at North Heights Church of Christ. In the three years that I have been here there have been a few additions to the eldership and their have been a few subtractions. Both extremes were necessary and prudent. I’m thankful for the relationship that I have with these men that not only look to shepherd me and my family but are in constant thought and prayer about how they can look to shepherd all of us; the entire flock. There is a special strong bond between us. We are family.
One thing I have been thinking about lately is the support they are giving towards our Stronger Families Workshop with Trey and Lea Morgan. The Shepherds here at NHCOC know that if we are going to continue to save souls in and out of our body we are going to have to take care of families in our church and community. Families are the church and the church is a family. All of us at North Heights need to be supporting each other’s families and be working on how we can make our FAMILIES STRONGER.
We have had several people from the community and area around us already register but have you registered for the STRONGER FAMILIES WORKSHOP yet? Even if you are a member here at NHCOC please register. It helps us plan for how big of a crowd we will have to make our families stronger!
www.northheightscoc.org/family2019