THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 3, NUMBER 12,  APRIL 20, 2003

MEETING MUSINGS

            Two weeks ago I finished a meeting in southern Indiana, just across the river from Louisville.  In a couple of weeks I will be holding another one in Hamilton, Ohio.  Before the year is out I will be partaking in a meeting in Evendale and in New Carlisle, Ohio.  Those are just one nighters.  A four day meeting will be conducted in Hillsboro, Ohio; and a week long meeting will be held in Pinellas Park, Florida.  2004 is booked and 2005 is rapidly filling up. 

            Why mention this?  I mention it because I believe over the last several years the attitude toward meetings in general has been changing.  At times I wonder if congregations are holding meetings simply because it is something that has been done for such a long time.  Every spring and every fall, a week long meeting is scheduled.  Advertisements are sent out to any congregations that are in the area, maybe a sign is put out in front of the building and maybe not, and than the week is spent bemoaning the fact that even the members don’t support the meeting like they should.

            Remember the days when brothers and sisters from other local congregations would be present at every service except those on the Lord’s Day and Wednesday?  Remember when we got to know each other because we saw folks at all the meetings?  REMEMBER WHEN THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION HOLDING THE MEETING WOULD ATTEND FAITHFULLY? 

            I believe that there is a place for Gospel Meetings and that there always will be.  Having said that, let me hasten to add that that is completely dependent on the work that the congregation having the meeting is prepared to do.  Passing out invitations to the neighborhood, getting on the phone and inviting friends and relatives, talking to folks at work and other places; all of these things do not guarantee that we will have a host of non-Christian visitors.  But our job is to invite and to give the opportunity to hear.  Whether or not the invitation is accepted and the opportunity is taken advantage of falls on the shoulders of those we talk to.  HOWEVER, IT IS OUR JOB!

            Lots of congregations now are going to 3 or 4 day meetings.  Many of them are held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  In almost every case where that has been done, in talking to the elders of the congregations and asking them why they chose to go in that direction, the answer has been the same.  It has almost always been because their members were not faithfully supporting the meetings they were having by attending.  However, the interesting thing is that those who have gone to the 3 or 4 day weekend meetings, have found that their members still do not faithfully support the meeting with their attendance.

            Our world is very busy and all of us struggle to find the time to do all of the things that we have placed into our hectic lives.  So many things pull for our attention and there are only so many hours in a day.  I wonder why, with ample time to prepare – at Northern Kentucky meetings are always the first full week of May and the first full week of November, we can’t set aside those things for 5 weeknights twice a year and be there.  I wonder why parents who were blessed with the wonderful example of being brought to services every night by their parents won’t give their children the same marvelous example.  If the truth be told, I cannot remember the last meeting I had a part in, either as the preacher or as a member of the congregation holding the meeting, where the elders at some time during it did not shake their heads and say, “I don’t know why our own members are not supporting the meeting as they should?”  Can you?

Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Gospel meetings are a wonderful way to do just that in an organized fashion.  They are a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with brethren – the best people in the world.  They are a wonderful chance to have our spiritual batteries recharged for a whole week – and if you can’t use an occasional recharging you are a better person than I am.

Gospel meetings give each of us the opportunity to encourage our brethren and we need to think about each other.  Remember, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works)” (Hebrews 10:23-24).  If I fail to attend when I really could have been there, that encourages no one, including me; and really does discourage many.

So, the elders have arranged for us to have the opportunity to do something really helpful and beneficial in two weeks time.  We can come and be with our brothers and sisters in Christ for an hour every day for 6 days.  Is there truly a better way to spend the time?

                                    Greg Litmer

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE CLASS

The Discussion of the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:9-13, Mark 9:9-13, Luke 9:36, Healing of the Demonic Boy (Matt. 17:14-20, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43)

REMEMBER BIBLE TALK, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AT 1:30 PM ON 1050, WTSJ.  THAT’S ON THE AM DIAL.

PLEASE CALL IN QUESTIONS.  YOUR CALLS ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO CALL IN.