MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

The President's Corner

(Jan-Mar 2006)

In the total scope of American life, there has always been an accepted foundation to which most citizens could rely upon: the family. Sadly, in this present context, much of this foundation is either abdicated or under attack. To add to the lament, many of God's people have succumbed to the wayward philosophies of the present generation, further degrading an already acute problem. One of the primary solutions for the Christian family is the church. This remedy is not in the interactive problems of group dynamics, but rather in the more baseline evaluation of personal accountability. The family is only as strong as the individual role-players are. To the point: individual family members need the church.

Godly pastors who have devoted their lives to the study and exposition of the Word are one of the greatest resources to the family. Any discussion concerning the specified settings the church provides for family health must be tempered with the universal knowledge that submission to a regular, biblical pulpit ministry has no substitute. Indeed, one of the greatest blessings for the Christian family is to attend a worship service in a local, Bible-preaching, Baptist church. Every time a father makes the choice to place his family into a service, a solemn testimony is displayed. The local church reminds the entire family that the Lord is more important than they are.

Furthermore, it comes as no surprise that families have difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Some forms of difficulty are more prevalent in the church than most Christians realize. The pastor, both by training and experience, is genuinely equipped to handle such difficulties. Many are willing to pay extreme secular counseling costs for small progress. The church offers immensely greater assistance without charge. The family, now more that never, needs to avail itself to this vital ministry.

Sadly, selfishness is rampant in today's family structures. The desire for indulgence is principle in the destruction of a family. One of the greatest rectifiers is service. Parents and children will find unexpected joy and genuine bonding in joining together in reaching others with the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving those within the church.

The Sunday school offers a time of refreshing honesty, a moment in the week when specific problems of the Christian life are addressed. Hearing others grapple with similar situations in the home can be an extreme comfort. Family members realize that their situation is not unique or shameful to admit. There the Bible is mined, and nuggets of truth are exposed for application. A parent's heart can also be eased by the knowledge that his children will receive quality instruction. Most Christians who have grown up in the church environment will testify that some of the most poignant memories are those of Sunday school. Life lessons are learned at an early age. The best place for those lessons is the local church.

Additionally, parents find a terrific support system in a well-designed youth ministry. Here, under competent leadership, parents can be assured that their years of biblical reinforcement will find full expression and support under the ministry of a Godly youth pastor.

Interaction is also critical in the modeling process of a local church. A well-organized church will afford its members the opportunity for regular, prolonged fellowship with others within the church. Whether organized according to specific age, gender, or interest, such gatherings serve one of the most fundamental commands of the New Testament, that of a divinely designed system of encouragement.

A disturbing trend is developing in the further urbanization of America. In churches (especially in metro areas), there is a casting off as "old-fashioned" the notion of going to camp. This is particularly unfortunate for many camp ministries because they are only now developing into their maturity, both in programming and facilities. Today, specialty retreats, such as summer children's programming, men's and ladies' retreats, teen conferences, music, sport, & drama camps, and the like, are offered through the local churches. Even most secular movements cannot rival such diversity. The spiritual dynamic in a men's or ladies' retreat is beyond measure. Countless families have been healed though decisions made at camping ministries.

The family, God's structural foundation, is in dire need of strengthening in today's society. This strengthening will only come when families are serving the Lord together in a local church setting with biblical goals that bring glory to the Lord.