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 43, NOVEMBER 23, 2003

MEETING MUSINGS, ONCE AGAIN

            Another year’s worth of meetings has come to an end and I always find it personally beneficial to reflect upon them and see what we might learn.

            Here at Northern Kentucky we had two meetings this year, one not so well attended and the other very well attended.  We have been having large numbers of brethren coming out to help in the distribution of invitations to the various neighborhoods that surround the church building.  We are now well past the mile circumference and will continue to spread further and further out.  Whether or not anyone comes as a direct result of these invitations is not the point – although some already have attended.  The point is that we are letting people know that we are here and extending a cordial invitation to them to come and hear.  However, we continue to recognize that the most effective method of invitation and teaching is personal, one on one, with friends and acquaintances.

            The last meeting that we had with David Thomley was extremely well attended by the brethren here.  There were some who chose not to attend each evening, but many brethren really extended themselves and put forth a Herculean effort to be here.  I am sure you would agree that it was well worth it.  David did an excellent job of presenting vitally important and helpful Gospel Lessons to us all.  He was thrilled with the interest and attendance and on several occasions commented upon how surprised he was at the numbers and the enthusiasm.   Brother or sister, if you are not completely on board and dedicated to the service of the Lord here at Northern Kentucky – get on board completely. 

            Personally, I had the opportunity to preach in four different states this year; Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Florida.    It is always a real joy to meet brethren from different places and to know that no matter how many miles separate us, we are joined by the most important thing of all.  Distance or age does not affect the bond we have in Christ Jesus.

            Once again the truth was driven home that a Gospel Meeting is only as successful as the amount of work that goes into it.  An evangelist can tell, almost immediately, if the extent of the preparation that a congregation has done for the meeting was to simply send a few invitations to neighboring congregations.  How well the meeting is attended by the members of the local congregation and the enthusiasm of the services is indicative of the spiritual health of a congregation.  Sending out a few invitations to fellow Christians, putting up a sign out front (although some do not even do these things), and less than half of the congregation moseying in a few minutes before services start, has a negative influence on anyone who might decide to come.  Visitors should not have to sit in a parking lot 5 minutes before services because no one with a key has shown up yet.    Gospel meetings can still be successful – I believe that our meeting with David Thomley was extremely successful and there were 4 baptisms at my meeting in Florida, but it takes real effort from the members of the local congregation holding the meeting.

            Something that I noticed at most of the congregations I was privileged to preach at this year was an increasing number of young people.  I am talking about young families with children.  It was really uplifting to me and encouraging to see so many faithfully attending even though they had infants and toddlers to deal with.  I believe it to be important that that kind of faithfulness be encouraged.  Sometimes by the end of the week the young mothers and fathers have a weary look upon their faces and I know what that is like.  However, it brings to mind Paul’s words from Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Those little children who have been brought faithfully by their parents, even when they were cranky or had homework, have a much better chance of growing up to be faithful themselves.

            I also learned that the current crisis in Catholicism has generated a tremendous amount of interest.  The meeting at Douglass Hills in Louisville was surprising well attended.  The most surprising thing, however, was the question and answer session after each lesson.  Usually in such a setting you might receive one or two questions.  In this meeting, there were a host of questions, almost more than I could handle.  That was extremely gratifying. 

            So, we now head into the Holiday Season, a time of family and brethren.  It has always been to me a time of reflection as well.  It is great to be a Christian, to serve the Risen Savior and to share that opportunity with the world.  It is great to have brothers and sisters in Christ the world over tied together by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is great to be a member of a local congregation where love reigns and care and concern for one another is manifested everyday.

                                                            Greg Litmer

SPIRITUAL HEALTH

            We are constantly concerned about our physical well-being.  How do we feel about our spiritual health?  Do we spend any time being nourished by the right things?  Do we make sure to get the spiritual exercise so vital to our spiritual health?  Do we take advantage of speeches and talks which are designed to inform us about how to take care of our spiritual bodies?  It is certainly so that the care for our physical bodies is an exercise in futility; but the care of our spiritual bodies will insure eternal life.  Let’s be about the more important things while we continue to care for the less.   

                        ---Via The Southside Reminder