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Among all the things Churches of Christ are noted for is singing which is usually at the top of the list. We are known for our acapella singing or singing without instrumental accompaniment. Next to baptism for the remission of sin singing is the second most discussed and debated issue.

     Singing has a prominent place in Scripture. In one form or another, it is mentioned approximately 400 times and 50 times as a direct imperative. An Old Testament example is Psalm 96:1-3: “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”

     The Bible affirms that God sings. In Zephaniah 3:17 we read, “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with SINGING.” Jesus sang with His disciples after inaugurating the Lord’s Supper: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out on the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30). The apostle Paul affirmed to the church in Corinth that understanding must be at the heart of our worship, including singing: “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will SING with the spirit, and I will also SING with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15). In Acts 16: 25 we read where Paul and Silas were singing in prison: “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and SINGING hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening.”

THE POWER, BLESSINGS, AND BENEFITS OF SINGING

Singing as presented in Scriptures is not just a form of fleshly entertainment or used to fill in a time slot on a schedule. For the Christian and person who desires to please God and reap the benefits of singing, here are several positive observations about the power, blessings, and benefits of singing. Therefore, singing is more than an exercise in four-point harmony or a response to “Shall we sing?”

     Here are several dynamics involved in the power, blessings, and benefits of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs:

1. When we sing we are obeying the command of the Lord to sing and make melody in our hearts (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:26).
2. We sing words and words have meaning and the challenge is that singers may differ in what a word may convey to them. This is why the command to “sing with the understanding” is important. Jesus said, “But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36, 37).
3. Singing words help us to remember the lyrics (words) as well as the messages of the song. We often find ourselves singing songs at unusual moments, which is a blessing of memorizing the song.
4. Singing has the power to touch all of our emotions, which God created us with the ability to express what’s inside our hearts. We cry at funerals, rejoice in song when a person obeys the Gospel. We are stirred to action by a song related to ministry, etc.
5. Singing is a tool to instruct others with. Paul wrote: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Thus we see again that both the song leader and the singers KNOW the words and use them to teach and encourage fellow-members.
6. Singing is an act which is a demonstration of the bond of love and unity among Christians in the assembly (Hebrews 10:25). As we look at one another while singing we realize the mutual blessing we are sharing in
7. Singing is a positive and biblical way to encourage one another, which is one of the reasons for the assembly (Hebrews 10:24). It is also one of the major reasons a Christian doesn’t want to miss an assembly—he will be encouraged and he will encourage others.
8. Singing is not restricted to a specific time, place, or given order. Since we are to “worship God in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23, 24), we may sing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs when we are moved to do so—on the land, sea, or in the air, we may lift our voices in song.
9. Singing is an affirmation in lyrics (words) that you subscribe to the words you are singing as well as believe in the truth expressed in them. This is why we ought to spend time studying songs just as we spend time in studying Scripture.
10. Singing is a powerful tool for attracting others. Many times people upon visiting an assembly for the first time will be attracted and encouraged by the singing, causing them to ask questions and return.

BEWARE OF HYPOCRITICAL SINGING

Since Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 commands us to sing with meaning and understanding, we must guard against falling into the trap of simply mouthing the words of songs without any real heart, meaning, and application to ourselves. Since we are teaching each other we must know and apply what we are teaching unless we fall into the trap of “saying and not doing”—being a hypocrite.

     Here are a few songs we need to examine carefully how well we mean and apply them after the song is finished:

1. WE SING: “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and are content not to attend prayer meetings and special seasons for prayer; we pray only when there is a major need in our lives, etc.
2. WE SING: “Onward Christian Soldiers” and seldom leave the confines of the church building. We’ve changed it to “Inward Christian Soldiers.”
3. WE SING: “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” but seldom show our love for Him by obedience.
4. WE SING: “Amazing Grace” and live like we are under the Law of Moses.
5. WE SING: “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings” and see rain as a hindrance to our plans.
6. WE SING: “We’re Marching to Zion” but fail to drive to the church building for services.
7. WE SING: “I Love to Tell the Story” but never mention Christ and the Gospel.
8. WE SING: “Throw Out the Life Line” and are content to throw out a fishing line.
9. WE SING: “Cast Thy Burdens on the Lord” and worrying ourselves into ulcers, etc.
10. WE SING: “Serve the Lord with Gladness” and complain about having to do too much.
11. WE SING: “Trust and Obey” and know we aren’t really doing the “obey” part.
12. WE SING: “I’ll Fly Away” but live like we’d like to stay put, etc.

     This sampling should help us to be continually aware of what we are singing. Words have meanings and especially when we are offering them to our heavenly Father as the fruit from our hearts expressed through our voices.

     May we never forget that singing which is to self, others, and to God must meet His approval. It is more than four-point harmony—it may include “Making a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

I have spent years of my tenure as a preacher teaching preachers, training preachers, writing about preaching and preaching. All of my 53 years as a preacher I have heard over and over the statement that “We have a preacher shortage.” A once popular statement related to this statement was “For every new preacher who begins preaching there are two or three who are leaving.”

Through the years there have been numerous responses with efforts to curb or eliminate the preacher shortage. These have included: Schools of Evangelist,   Schools of Preaching, Colleges with Bible Departments, Schools of Biblical Studies, Bible Institutes, Correspondence courses, special weekend programs, mentoring programs, etc.

   I’m not sure when the issue of who needs to train preachers and where should preachers be trained became a topic of discussion, the point of controversy, and causes of division among churches? Also included in this point is the question, “Who should be trained to preach?” The answers ranged from “Any faithful male Christian” to those “Who are academically qualified” to enter a collegiate program, etc. Entering this area is the qualifications congregations require, demand, or expect a preacher to have. And whether he should be “fulltime” or “part-time.”

     A major issue relates to training preachers in a formal setting such as a college, school of preaching, Bible institute, etc. is what should the content of the curricula be? Who should teach various courses? What qualifies a teacher for specific courses? What role, if any, does having experience as a local preacher have in selecting teachers? What is the tenure of teacher’s preaching experiences as well as the fruit of his labors in a congregational setting? Usually, the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of the persons in charge of the training determine the answers to these and other questions related to training preachers.

     Some institutions training preachers are governed by “accrediting associations,” some by elderships, some by boards, and some by the founder of the training program. Thus, the reasons why there are various dynamics involved in training preachers, with no two being “exactly” alike. While there is a place to have discussions and dialogue in this area, my purpose is to briefly write about one way to train preachers today. And I think, or assume, that we all agree that we need “trained preachers” today.

THE TRAINING OF FIRST CENTURY PREACHERS BY JESUS

There were no colleges, seminaries, schools, etc. designated as training institutions for preachers related to the church in the first century. Yet, there were preachers. Jesus was the Master Preacher as well as the trainer of preachers, who said on one occasion, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preacher there also because for this reason, I have come forth” (Mark 1:38). Therefore, the training of the first preachers for the spread of the Gospel and building up of the ekklesia (church) was done by THE PREACHER—Jesus Christ.

     We have an example of how Jesus called and trained His future preachers. The Scriptures reveal that one day Jesus was walking by the fishing docks and upon seeing some fishermen, whether Jesus knew them or not, we aren’t sure but we do know this: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will MAKE YOU fishers of men.’ The immediately left their nets and followed Him…” (Mark 1:16-20). Notice the next verse, Then THEY went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught” (Mark 1:21). The later in 1:38 we read: But He said to THEM, ‘Let US go into the next town, that I may preach there also because, for this reason, I have come forth.’”

     Several things are obvious in this historical narrative about how Jesus selected disciples (preachers) and how He started to train them immediately. We aren’t told if Jesus knew these fishermen before He called them, if He had heard about them, or they had been recommended to Him. We have no record of Jesus quizzing them relative to their knowledge of the Law of Moses, which sect within Israel were they members of, e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Zealots, etc.; which synagogue they were members of, and which rabbi had trained them. He knew their hearts and potential. Jesus was more interested in who and what they would become than in their diplomas, degrees, present theological, sociological, and credit score. Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” Make is the Greek word poieo and refers to, “to do something, to make something; to bring together.”

     We know the rest of the story relative to HOW Jesus trained preachers (disciples). Here are a few of the key ingredients in Jesus’ training methodology:

1. He was with them for approximately 3 to 3 ½ years. He ate with them, traveled with them, lodged with them, etc.
2. He was continually teaching them lessons which were going to be key subjects in the future of His ekklesia (church) (Matthew 18:15-20).
3. He taught them how to pray by praying and teaching lessons on prayer (Luke 11:1-4).
4. He taught them how to relate to people and engage in social events (John 2:1-12)
5. He taught them how to be considerate and compassionate with people, even sinners John 4:1-30; Luke 15:1, 2).
6. He taught them about how few necessities of life one really needs (Luke 9:58; 10:4).
7. He taught them how to rebuke, expose, and respond to false teachers (Matthew 23).
8. He taught them the true traits of servant leaders, which is what He wanted them to be (John 13:1-16).
9. He taught them the need to relax and get away from pressure at certain times (Mark 6:30-33).
10. He taught them how to handle rejection, scorn, and false accusations (Matthew 5:43-48).
11. Above all Jesus taught them the importance of loving God, one another, and even one’s enemies (Mark 12:28-31).
12. Jesus taught them how to die faithfully…and be forgiving regardless of the circumstance (Luke 12:28-46).
13. Jesus taught them to carry on His work (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
14. Jesus continually taught and demonstrated humility (Matthew 21:1-11).
15. Jesus made it clear that potential followers knew and counted the cost (Matthew 16:24).

     There are obviously many other lessons to be learned about how Jesus selected and trained preachers. Here’s the foundation truth undergirding all of His teaching and training. Luke stated in just prior to Jesus’ ascension to heaven: “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of ALL Jesus began BOTH to DO and TEACH” (Acts 1:1). JESUS FIRST PRACTICED WHAT HE TAUGHT! He wasn’t a textbook theorist, a talker instead of a walker, a borrower of other preachers’ successes. The Lord had been there, done that, and now able to teach that which He had learned from hands-on experiences.

THE TRAINING OF FIRST CENTURY PREACHERS BY PAUL

That God wants men to be taught and trained in how to preach is evident by the ministry and writings of the apostle Paul. Most preachers, sadly not all, have studied or been taught Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus relative to preaching. In writing to the ekklesia (church) in Corinth in exposing division, he noted the first a major reason for the vision was over preachers (1 Corinthians 1:11-15). Then he declared his emphasis was not solely on “converting people” but in preaching the Gospel: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to PREACH the gospel, not with wisdom of words, unless the cross of Christ should be made of no effect” (1 Corinthians 1:17).

     Paul employed the same method of training preachers as used by Jesus. He had them accompany him on preaching to the lost, establishing, and strengthening churches. Read 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus for a full account of Paul’s messages to preachers.

TRAINING PREACHERS TODAY

Based on Paul’s admonishing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1-7 to commit to “faithful men who will be able to teach others also,” here are a few suggestions for those of us who preach to teach and train preachers:

1. Inform yourself about the needs for training preachers; pray about this great need.
2. Select one or more men and share with them your plan to help them, if they so desire, to become a preacher (Keep in mind we are not necessarily talking about “fulltime preaching.” That may evolve but at first, it is getting his feet wet with initial training in the local congregation).
3. Select the core Bible subjects, including books of the Bible key doctrine which need to serve as foundation knowledge for “preaching the word.” Don’t try to duplicate a “fulltime schools” curriculum.
4. Be sure to include basic courses in hermeneutics (how to study the Bible) and homiletics (how to prepare and deliver sermons).
5. Select a time for the classes to be taught (E.g. Tuesday and Thursday night; Saturday, Sunday afternoon, etc.).
6. Be sure the classes are not just “talk and theory” but including doing and practice. Have opportunities to preach in the congregation.

The key is to be creative and committed to preachers training preachers. What if each preacher trained one preacher? How about two or three preachers?

_____________________________________

J.J. Turner has a new book titled, 505 Observations About Preaching, available on amazon. com

J.J. Turner. Ph.D. ©

Back on the 22nd of March, 2015. USA TODAY ran an article titled, “Has The Sun Set On Sunday School? Basically, the answer was yes but there were also some bright spots in some churches. I typed in this search question on Google: “Why Sunday School Is Failing?” and 148,000,000 responses came up. Evidently, there is a lot of interested in the state of Sunday School. How is your interest?

     Some call it Sunday School, some refer to it as Bible classes or Bible study. Regardless of what name, if any at all, the reference is usually to the one-hour in which members assemble in a classroom setting to study the Bible before the worship hour. It is a period where an organized effort is made to instruct, learn, fellowship, and apply the Bible. Some congregations use it to evangelize.

     Years ago the number in Bible class attendance varied little from the number in the worship assembly. That has changed in most congregations, regardless of size or location. For years the attendance spiral was been on a declining trend. Recent research has revealed that the difference between Bible class attendance and worship is from 35 to 45 percent; and in some even 50%. Some congregations with once thriving attendance in youth Bible classes are now without or with only a few in attendance. Vacation Bible School used to be a major event in summer months is now only a memory in the minds of those of us who attended. What is causing this downward spiral?

     How about the congregation where you worship and serve the Lord? What, if any, is the difference in Bible class attendance and Sunday morning worship?______% If there is a percentage difference? Do you know why? Most congregations keep and post worship attendance numbers but not Bible classes. Why?

     How about you? What is your attendance record for Bible class in comparison to Sunday morning worship? Are they the same? [ ] Yes [ ] No (Something to think about).

35 Reasons Why Some Christians Don’t Attend Bible Classes

I am presently researching and writing another book for my Wake Up series titled, “Teachers, Wake Up! I have collected an almost unbelievable list of reasons and excuses some Christians give for not attending Sunday morning Bible classes. (I won’t even dare to discuss Wednesday night classes) Here are some of those reasons and excuses. They aren’t given in a priority because each one may constitute the priority in a Christian’s personal list of reasons; for others way down the list or not on their list.

1. Some Christians don’t attend Bibles classes because they choose to study their Bible at a time and place when it is convenient for them: work, home, in the car waiting, small group.
2. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they have something planned for Sunday morning.
3. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they tend to stay up to late Saturday night and sleep in Sunday morning.
4. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they aren’t interested in the subject being taught.
5. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because to them they are too boring or not interesting.
6. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because of health issues.
7. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they have negative memories of being “made to attend” as children.
8. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they don’t like the teacher or a teacher’s teaching style.
9. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because from the time of their conversion they haven’t developed the habit; it wasn’t stressed, only suggested.
10. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they really don’t think they need it; it is okay for others.
11. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they don’t want to be embarrassed by being asked questions or to participate.
12. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they watch their favorite TV preacher and claim they get their study and edification through media, etc.
13. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they aren’t “specifically commanded”—“Thou Shall Attend Bible Classes.”
14. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they once use to attend but have gotten out of the habit. It started by missing the first class, then the second, etc.
15. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because of all the online options to enhance their study at any time or place they desire.
16. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because of poor classrooms or located in difficult places to get to, i.e. stairs to climb or in a damp basement.
17. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they don’t want to be reminded of some issue, problem, or sin in their lives.
18. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they have an issue with a person in the class; may not like some attendees.
19. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they are “poor readers” and don’t want to be called on to read.
20. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because there are too many activities which involve their children which require preparation and time on the road getting to classes.
21. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because church leadership has not placed a major biblical emphasis on the importance of attending.
22. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because there aren’t sufficient groupings according to needs, age, relevancy, etc.
23. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they have been taught that Bible classes are “unscriptural.”
24. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they are “stubborn and self-willed”—nobody tells them what to do or where to be.
25. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because there are never any carryover class projects, fellowship gatherings, etc. Just show up, sit and listen, and go to the assembly.
26. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because there isn’t any personal follow up, contact, or outside of class involvement with teachers or attendees.
27. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they think they already know the basic or fundamentals: 5 acts of worship, 5 steps to salvation, etc.
28. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because it is “too big of a hassle” to get the kids and self-prepared to be on time for classes.
29. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they never “fill in all the blanks” in their workbooks for the classes; it’s embarrassing.
30. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they have not to make it a spiritual priority in their lives.
31. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they receive no personal pleasure; we usually do things because of the pleasure we derive from it, so say psychologist.
32. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they don’t like going alone, i.e. without their spouses, children, or siblings.
33. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because the time schedule is inconvenient, too early.
34. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they believe the subject is either too difficult or not relevant.
35. Some Christians don’t attend Bible classes because they “Just don’t’ want to attend”, period.

     Again, how about YOU? What is the ratio between your attendance in Bible class and worship services?

     The Sunday morning Bible class can still be a vital tool for educating the body of Christ in the 5-E mission of the church. The challenge is to review it, revive it, and rededicate it to God’s glory.

Leaders need to step forward and

Growing up in a small village, population 200-plus, it was easy to recognize and know your neighbor. I remember one family had a couple of boys who were known to be “rough and rowdy”; another family was referred to as the “gossips”; another as the “holy rollers”; one was called “those rednecks”; another had the reputation of being “stand-off-ish,” etc. Because of man’s carnal nature the practice of giving families “nicknames”; seems to be a popular practice. Whether positive or negative, right or wrong, it creates a reputation.

     Think of the families you know or have known and ask yourself “What is or was their reputation? How about your family? Do you know what reputation it has in the minds of those who know you or who may observe you from a distance?

     The local church is the “called out family of God” (i.e. ekklesia). Here’s Paul’s reference to the church being a family: “Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulation for you, which is your glory. For this reason, I bow my knees to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the WHOLE FAMILY in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:13-15).

     In writing to the young preacher, Timothy, Paul admonished him to behave himself properly in the house of God (i.e. family): “[B]ut if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

     Just as families in neighborhoods, etc. have reputations, the church family in local neighborhoods have reputations. The reputation is established whether deserved or not by the actions of individual members as well as by the enter congregation. I am ashamed and embarrassed to mention some of the reputations I have heard applied to some Christians and congregations. Whether true or not, deserved or not, the truth remains that every Christian and congregation has a reputation.

PRIORITY BUILDS A REPUTATION

Most congregations have a priority or several priorities. The English word priority means to “create or recognize an order of importance, precedence in time; to make first, etc.” I have observed over my years of ministry how congregations have created and maintained their various priorities, which related to the place and practice of local autonomy—each congregation is independent of a governing board or dictates from a sister congregation. I have noted that some congregations have established some of the following priorities:

1. The building and upkeep of physical properties which are designed to attract outsiders and provide comfort and expediencies for the church family. A major portion of the budget goes to this priority.
2. The hiring, keeping and supporting a preacher, or preachers, to preach, teach, and do numerous ministry assignments for the congregation.
3. Congregations tend to make the worship services a priority which consists of an impeccable schedule of events done in an order of priority.
4. Some congregations by their actions and attitudes give “debating and defending the faith” top billing among their priorities.
5. The selection of subjects, materials, curricula, and teachers for Bible classes seem to be a major priority in many congregations.
6. Even though the interest, attendance, and support of a yearly event continue to wane, some congregations maintain it as a major priority.
7. The emphasis or lack of emphasis on having fellowship with sister congregations is another establisher of congregational priorities.

     I am not passing “right or wrong” judgment on any of these practices. I am only sharing what I have seen as various congregation priorities. According to Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the Lord Judges each congregation on its own merit and practices. It is a congregation’s priorities which build its reputation.

WHAT JESUS GAVE AS THE PRIORITY FOR HIS CHURCH

Since Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:18); purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28); is the head of His church (Colossians 1:18), etc. He has the right to establish the priority for members of his church—His body and family. Here’s the priority Jesus gave to His followers—His church: “A new commandment I give to you that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER, as I have loved you, that you also LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BY THIS all will know that you are MY DISCIPLES, IF you LOVE ONE ANOTHER” (John 13:34, 35).

     According to Jesus the priority of any local congregation must be LOVE, because love for God, neighbor and self is the core identifying characteristic and behavior of the church we read about in the Bible, which belongs to Jesus. This priority is consistent with the Greatest Commandment taught by Jesus in Mark 12:28-31: “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceived that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ And Jesus answered him, ‘The FIRST of all the commandments is “Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord: THOU SHALL love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind, and with ALL thy strength: this is the FIRST commandment. And the second is like, namely this, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is NONE OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.”

     The priority of loving one another in the church is taught over and over in the New Testament with reference to how it is the priority of God’s family, and love is what established the church’s reputation both in and out of the church. Jesus said, BY THIS shall all men KNOW you are My disciples if you have LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

     There are approximately 60 Scriptures in the New Testament which reference our responsibilities to ONE ANOTHER in the local congregation—the church. Here is a sampling of these Scriptures:

1. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9).
2. “Bear with each other…” (Colossians 3:13),
3. “… Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 10:24, 25).
4. “… Pray for each other” (James 5:16).
5. “… Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 3:8).
6. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9).
7. “…Love each other deeply…” (1 Peter 4:8).
8. “…Make your love increase and overflow for each other” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
9. “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9).
10. “Greet one another with s kiss of love” (1 Peter 5:14).

     LOVE (agape and philia) is the undeniable badge of Christianity demonstrated by local congregations and individual members. A reading of Paul’s letter to the church of God in Corinth reveals one problem after another. Ranging from division to going before secular courts to solve problems. What was the ONE solution to all these problems and issues? LOVE! Read Chapter 13 to see how Paul used the greatest of all virtues—LOVE—to resolve their problems.

   When the weather permitted the preacher of a city congregation would stand at the bottom of the steps of the church building and greet the members and guests attending Sunday morning services. He noticed Sunday after Sunday a young boy, maybe 12 to 14, passed by with a large family Bible tucked under his arm. One Sunday morning the preacher stepped out and stopped the boy, asking him where he was going to church (Evidenced by his dress and Bible). When the boy mentioned a church across town which required the catching of a bus and transferring to get there; the preacher invited him to attend his congregation, asking “Why do you go way over there, we are close to your home?” The boy replied, “Thank you, sir, for the invitation. I know you folks must be wonderful here, but I’m going over there because at the First Street Church they know how to love a little fellow.”

     Isn’t that where we all want to be? In a congregation where they know how to love a little and big fellow; a tall and short fellow; etc. WHAT IS YOUR CHURCH FAMILY’S REPUTATION? How about your reputation?