Focus on the family

This weekend our sermon topic will focus on the importance of the family and local church in society today. Early in sacred literature God established the insititution we know today as the nuclear family unit comprised of dad, mom and kids and how He intends to impact the world through it. Some key questions I would like for you to consider as we approach the weekend sermon from Genesis 1:27-28 are:

> How much of God's agenda (mission) on Earth depends upon the relational health of family units?

> What impact does the family unit have on the Church and culture and how has both suffered from the breakdown of the family?

> Assuming that the culture goes as the family goes ... then what does the future look like for America if the family continues to disintegrate?

If indeed a great deal of God's agenda is played out through the family then the local church has a significant role in our culture. Having a weekly gathering place for families to come and experience lectures and seminars on healthy relationship is essential. All the more our focus should be on providing relevant educational classes and programming to aid family health for the community. It also validates our numerous self-help programs such as Divorce Care for Kids, Divorce Relationship Recovery, Marriage Rebuilders and Builders Workshops, Mastering Motherhood, and the various men's educational classes, etc., that we consistently offer throughout the year.

Everything we do at WHFC is transformation and redemptive in purpose. Redemptive in that by design our programs and ministries focus on bringing men, women, boys and girls to relationship with Jesus Christ and work towards recapturing the lost image of God in each one. Transformational in that Christ followers go into the world and influence society through emulating Christ's love and service to all.

As a church we must never forget that two thirds of God's name is "GO". We gather weekly in the Meeting House to be educated, encouraged and equipped to go into the world and share the kingdom of God with those in our sphere of influence. There is no sacred/secular divide in our lives. All is holy unto the Lord. What we do in the Meeting House is no more blessed by God then what we do with the rest of our time.

As we will discover this weekend from the demographic statistics presented in the sermon, one of the most influential ways Christians can transform society for the good and win others to Christ is through relationally healthy family units. And, the very best thing we can do for God's mission on Earth is not necessarily memorize more scripture, attend more Bible seminars or pounce on people with the "Four Spiritual Laws" but rather to deal with our relational junk. To invite Jesus into the brokenness of our lives and let Him to heal our family wounds that sabotage our marriages and parenting, destroying our testimony and besmirching God's glory.

We need to stop playing into the hands of Satan and stop hurting the ones we love while contributing to the breakdown of the Church and society. Then people will come to Jesus and find value in attending the local Meeting House and listen when we speak. As you can see family ministry is something that I am passionate about so it will be a challenge for me to stay within the 30-35 minute time limit :-) What say you?

Thanks for stopping by and listening to me spout!
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Adrian