One of my favorite aspects of working at the Pearland Church of Christ is that there are always good things happening. This past weekend we had a wonderful congregation wide cookout with about 80 in attendance; this coming weekend Debbie Brown is hosting an ice cream social for the children of the congregation; and this Sunday is our Friends and Family Day. There are so many good things going on, but today I want to share with all of you something I am very excited about.Several weeks ago Sarah Adams and Patricia Stafford approached the elders about beginning a Sunday morning Bible class for the ladies of the congregation. Upon hearing the recommendations from these ladies, the elders approved this idea and gave it their full sup-port. The elders also asked Chris Peters to use the experience and knowledge he has gained in the leadership program at General Electric to design and facilitate a Sunday morning Bible class for the men of the congregation. Chris happily accepted this task and has a challenging curriculum laid out for the men.
In an attempt to answer some of the questions that have arisen from the congregation, the elders asked the teachers of these respective classes to each provide a short statement about what they are planning to present
Here is what Sarah and Patricia have to say…
“There will be a new class starting on October 14 entitled Women of Faith. This is a class meant for women of all ages! We will have a new speaker weekly that will share one of her personal faith stories alongside a Scriptural takeaway. The aim of this class is to unify and strengthen our bond as Christian sisters by supporting and learning from each other! I hope that you come and learn with us!”
Here is what Chris has to say…
“The Men’s Leadership class will focus on developing leaders at all levels of the congregation. This class is for current and future leaders of the church and will provide discussions, tools, and opportunities designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to lead the Lord’s church. In this class we will focus on what leaders do, how leaders operate, and how individuals can develop themselves into leaders for Christ in all walks of life.”
Focus areas:
– Role of a leader in the church
– Setting a vision/goal
– Communication
– Personal development plans
Sarah, Patricia, and Chris are to be applauded for the hard work and dedication they have brought into this process. These classes are scheduled to begin Sunday morning, October 14, 2012. The ladies will meet in the large classroom on the south end of the classroom wing, and the men will meet in library. There will be no auditorium or teen classes for the one-quarter duration of these classes. The elders made this decision in order to bring the various age groups in our congregation together for a time. At the end of these classes, the normal auditorium and teen classes will resume.
As we begin these classes, I would remind you of Paul’s words in Titus 2:1-8.
Titus 2:1-8
1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted too much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
I praise our elders for putting these words into action by providing these classes for the men and women of our congregation. Let’s all make a point to attend and participate in these classes beginning Sunday morning, October 14, 2012.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul