Take care of the family!Tonight I start a five week class for couples who want to enrich their marriages. These are parents whose children are in a group at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kenwood, and I am thrilled with their request.
The most important thing a church can do to "Heal the broken hearted and set the captives free" is to help parents love each other and their kids with faith, discipline and nurture.
The desire to reach outside the church to rescue the poor, homeless and bereft is laudable. However, any outreach program must be preceded by "Equipping the members to live more effective lives." Otherwise, the church does not have anything to offer those outside their four walls.
When a congregation is growing in health and love the members will automatically touch family and friends with the overflow of God's healing grace and mercy. However, when we do not have anything to share why try to help others?
Good Shepherd is doing both. They are reaching out and reaching in. That is the balance that is needed for a church to be healthy. What practical training are you offering your members to help them grow in faith, hope and love?
Do you have pre-marital classes?
Marriage enrichment classes?
Parenting classes?
Why not?
Gary Sweeten
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