Monroeville Christian Church

Preacher’s Comments: TWO AREAS OF PRAISE …AND A WARNING

1. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR ELDERS?

Do you know how many elders (pastors, bishops) we have? Do you know their names, where they live and what they do? Do you know that they meet each Sunday for a short time to catch up on things in the church family? Do you know that they have one regular meeting a month for about 1 hr? Do you know they have many specially called meetings throughout the year to address various situations? Do you know they meet with individuals often to encourage, help, strengthen and, in some cases, correct?

Are you aware of their family situations, their jobs and their tough times? Are you aware that they are like other Christians; they get tired, they have problems, they, too, need support and encouragement? They have their downers. Are you aware that as they address certain church situations and attend various meetings their wives and children may be left to their own. Are you aware that the elders hurt like anyone else when talked about, that they, too, get sick and at times may not be running on all cylinders; they, too, have bad days.

I want to praise our elders and encourage them. I want them to know I’m behind them in their efforts and decisions and that I do not intend to undermine them or their work. But I also want them to know that when in error I must correct as they must correct me when in error. We have good men who shepherd the flock here at MCC. Keep them and their families in prayer and from time to time compliment them, they always receive enough complaints. Don’t add to them unnecessary worries or problems.

2. CHURCH CAMP

I want to congratulate Dave for the fine work he does each year so our young people may experience a great camp week and be drawn closer to Christ. Dave and his crew spend hours and hours in planning. We have been able to make use of the state parks for our camp. It is the responsibility of Dave and his crew to plan all the activities, to buy all the food and prepare the meals, buy all the cleaning supplies for that week, prepare all the recreation, all the classes, and oversee the complete program. The meals at our camp are second to none, and has some built in extras each year.

And might I point out that after we leave the camp we have no further cost for the upkeep. We have no need for a camp manager, cottage repairs, dining hall repairs, or swimming pool repairs. This is all the cost of the state, we just rent the camp for the week or weeks we need, pay the electric bill and it’s done! Thanks to Dave and his crew - we couldn’t do it without you. I would hate to think of trying to train someone else to fill Dave’s shoes on this important program of church camp. I don’t know if we could. There is only one area in which we do not equal other camps and that is cost. How does our camp compare to others in relation to cost of the camp; we are much, much cheaper. This is one case where cheaper is equal to or better. Some camps charge young people from $100.00 a week to over $200.00 a week depending where they are and what the cost of the upkeep is. In some parts of the United States some of our camps are no longer camps, they are resorts. Besides churches supporting the upkeep of these monstrosities, they in many cases help with the campers fees. Our price for camp is $30.00 for the Jr Mini Wk and $60.00 for the Jr/Sr High Week and even then we will pay a portion of that fee if the student completes certain requirements. The cost then being $15.00 and $30.00. If a camper can’t afford that we will pay it all so they can attend camp. This truly is a real bargain by any standards. Our church and our leaders are to be commended for this great undertaking.