As the Year begins there are some things that we as a congregation should focus our attention on for this New Year.
1. Growth in God's word is one of the areas which will be a major focus this year. We need more people who are willing to teach and help teach our Bible classes. Growth in God's word is needed for all Christians to continue to grow to spiritual maturity.
2. Along with growth in God's word, we also need to be more involved in personal evangelism. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, we can establish a personal evangelism class on Wednesday evening. This class will involve different types of materials that can be used in personal evangelism, as well as in home visits.
3. Mission work, both at home and abroad, will continue to be an area of focus this year. At home, it will involve our personal evangelism class, as well as anyone else who will be willing to help. Our Vacation Bible School is one of our greatest home mission works in which we come in contact with a number of local people who have some interest in spiritual things. Abroad, mission focus will be in helping some of our members go to Central and South America, as well as continue support of local preachers in these areas. Our young people continue to lead the way in giving money to buy Spanish language Bibles which greatly help this work! The children's home in Panama continues to deserve our attention and support. Please continue to pray about these efforts!
4. We also need to continue our efforts in the areas of benevolence and edification. Our benevolence efforts include helping people of our community and sometimes helping those who are traveling through this area who are in need. Bob Lewis is in charge of this effort and he does a great job in seeing to the needs of others without wasting the Lord's money. Benevolence is an area in which we can expand in order that all of us can have a hand in this good work. Let us all look for opportunities to help one another, especially some of our older brethren. They may need help cleaning their yard, garage or even their houses this spring. If we get more snow, they need help in clearing snow off their driveway and walks. There are opportunities out there if we will but open our eyes and jump at the chance to help others.
5. Edification is the act of building others up. This can be accomplished, in part, by our benevolence to others. This can also be accomplished by our attendance of all services, with the attitude of joy and thanksgiving in our hearts. Edification is accomplished by our spending time with one another. Sharing a meal together can be, and should be, an act of edification. We need to grow together more as brothers and 'sisters this year.