Sharing with Steve
This past week-end I was reminded about being judgmental, arrogant, and not doing your homework. Philip and I attended a conference on the Millennials. It was advertised as a conference that would include the largest survey ever done on Christian Millennials. These are young people from ages 18-29. They will soon be the largest single generation in America. They are leaving the church in droves. The consensus is that they are not necessarily falling away from a relationship with the Lord, but are disillusioned with the institutional church. The conference information indicated that the problems would be looked at and then remedies would be examined. How can we better minister to Millennials? It was mentioned in the materials that homeschooling would be looked at.
We were to be very disappointed. The conference proved to be a gathering of specific homeschoolers who are somewhat “militant” in their thoughts and actions. I am not against homeschooling. We have a group that meets at Meadowbrook and we have several families that belong to that group. The conference participants were of a different variety. It was suggested at the conference that if a family did not homeschool that they should be excommunicated from the local church. The churches represented at this conference practice a family centric worship and study. Sunday school and youth groups (and youth ministers) are all wrong. No good can come from these groups. Most if not all teaching should be done in the home. There was no discussion; they were right and everyone else was wrong. I felt anger and disappointment. I was angry that such a narrow judgmental view of scripture was used. It reminded me of the those in the early Church that said all Gentiles must first be circumcised before they could become Christians. I felt sorry for people who spoke so lovingly of the Lord yet condemned anyone different from them.
I also felt regret that I had not done a better job of examining the conference. Since I had recognized a couple of speakers on the program I had just assumed that all the speakers would be of the same class. That was not the case. I had failed to do my homework. On the outside it looked like a conference that would be beneficial and educational. It was educational, but not in the way I had expected. It reminded me of the many teachings that are out there, all of which are “supported by scripture.” It reminded me to be humble and gentle when dealing with people who don’t see “doctrine” the same way that I do. It reminded me how easy it is to become arrogant in our beliefs that we are “right” and everyone else is “wrong.” It is hard to convince Millennials that we are always right and they are always wrong. I am not talking about compromise, but I am talking about being genuinely humble, authentic, and loving. “Being right” may not be a good enough excuse if we lose an entire generation.
Valentines Youth Fundraiser
On February 14th, Meadowbrook is hosting a fun and relaxing evening for you and your special someone. Sign up for a table in the foyer and enjoy some fine food, fun entertainment, and being served by our teens. All the money raised goes towards helping the student ministries pay for tuition to CIY and other conferences where our students deepen their faith in Christ. Dinner will start at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
A Word from Philly-D: Our Winter Retreat at Lake James went very well. Our kids had a good time and were challenged to draw near to Christ as we face our daily struggles. It’s such a blessing to see our students engaged in worship and digging deeper into their faith. This summer they will have another opportunity to engage and deepen their walk with Christ at the summer camps. Be sure to check out www.ljca.org for more details on camp. February is going to be a fun month with a mall scavenger hunt and an Engage Gathering at my house! Be sure to check the weekly parent email I send out!
Children’s Series: This month we are going undercover and showing random acts of kindness. We are talking about how we can show kindness to everyone around us. Our kids will learn what the Bible says about kindness and how God shows such amazing kindness to His children. Then they will learn what the Bible says about His children showing kindness to the world we live in.
Teen Series: Red Letters is a Bible study we are doing on Sunday mornings. We are looking at all 4 of the gospels in depth. Our teens will learn new and exciting things about the gospels. They will also learn how to read and apply the things Jesus teaches us.
Mall Scavenger Hunt: On February 8th right after church, all 7-12 graders are encouraged to join for a fun scavenger hunt through the Great Lakes Crossing Mall. We will leave right after the service, eat lunch (bring $$ for lunch), and then go on the scavenger hunt! Who’s going to get all the items first for the most points? Join us to find out!
Valentine’s Youth Fundraiser: On February 14th at 6 p.m. Meadowbrook is hosting a dinner for all couples to help raise money for the student ministries. Sing up in the foyer with that special someone to enjoy an evening of good food and entertainment!
Birthdays and Anniversaries
- Lothar & Arleen Rossol (Ann.) – February 2
- Dave Deaton – February 5
- Kaye Thompson – February 6
- Nathanael Cox – Feburary 15
- Shalon Cox – February 22
- Zain Cox – February 22
- Charity Clodfelter – February 26
- Marie Orzel – February 28
Sisters in Service – February – Heart Health Month
Sisters in Service has invited Ruth Lindhagen, Physician’s Assistant and Meadowbrook member, who will make a presentation on Heart Health for Women. Plan to join us on Monday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. for a discussion on an important topic for women. Since it’s Heart Health Month, be sure to wear red when you attend the meeting. As always, there will be a devotion and refreshments.
ONE MORE THING – we’re winding down the Preemie Baby Hat project. If you have any hats you’ve made or want to catch up this month, please bring them to the February meeting so they can be distributed to area hospitals.
SCHEDULING THE CHURCH CALENDAR
The Church Calendar is posted on our website at www.mccrochester.com, and a copy can also be found in the Calendar binder in the office. Anyone who wants to reserve a room for an event should contact Theresa Meegan at 248-340-9215 or themeegans@comcast.net to get on the calendar. It’s always important to keep the calendar up to date, but especially so in the winter as our snow plow company checks the calendar for plowing needs.
BLOOD DRIVE COMING TO MEADOWBROOK
The Red Cross will be here at Meadowbrook on Thursday, Feb. 26, between 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Please consider donating – you’ll be a blessing to someone in need. Consider asking at least one friend or neighbor to donate along with you. For this blood drive, to schedule an appointment please go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: Meadowbrookchristian. If you donated blood at the November drive, you are eligible to donate again.
LADIES LUNCHEON
Ladies save the date for the annual ladies luncheon Saturday, April 18th at 11:30am. We will be have guest speaker, Michele Madigan, speaking on her faith and journey with God . If you have any questions please see Debbie Stallings or Shalon Cox.
FROM THE PEW
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 King James Version (KJV)
You Never Know…
Last Sunday, the Gideon representative spoke of the remarkable effect on a young man’s life when he received a Gideon Bible. As he shared the story I was reminded of the remarkable effect on my life that resulted from someone giving me a Bible. When I was ten years old I was staying with my aunt and uncle for a time during the summer. I must have been troubled about something because my aunt presented me with a brand new King James Bible with Psalm 34:4 written in the front.
That act led to me giving my life to the Lord later that same year. Not only that, but the verse has served me well through the years. I memorized Psalm 34:4 and recalled it many times when facing trials. Each time I sought the Lord and each time He delivered me. Many of these events could be considered miracles and I may share some of these at a later time.
The thought I would like to leave you with today is we never know when some small act could play a major role in someone’s life. My aunt giving me that Bible may not have seemed like a big deal to her and she probably forgot about it over the years. However, it had a major impact on my life, and is still having a major impact in my life fifty years later. I still have that Bible.
My aunt was not shy about reaching out to people with the message of Jesus Christ. We should follow her example. Consider reaching out today to someone that doesn’t know Christ. Invite them to church. Give them a Bible. You never know what major crop may be harvested from planting a small seed.
Art Drake
