Standing Together By Dr. Bill Lewis
One of the advantages of being a part of a local church is that you have someone to stand with you as you face the trials and temptations of life. If a church is what it ought to be, its members are accountable to each other. Being accountable to God and to each other is an important aspect of living for God. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (6:2 NLT). Without accountability it is too easy to give in to the desires of the flesh and this world. Where authenticity and love exist accountability must also exist (see “Be Real” in the April 2006 and “A Message of Love” in the February 2006 Georgia Promotional Bulletin). One way to help Christians become comfortable enough to hold each other accountable is to facilitate the building of relationships within the church (see “Relationships” in the March 2006 Georgia Promotional Bulletin). The churches auxiliaries (Master’s Men, Women Active for Christ, and various children/youth groups) can play an important role in this process. Individuals who become active in the auxiliaries of the church tend to be more comfortable with the other auxiliary members and are more conscience about the need to live an exemplary life in the world. Open Door Fellowship has organized both Master’s Men and Women Active for Christ (WAC) groups. At this time each group has about five to six members, and both groups are actively pursuing projects where they can work together in service to God, the church, and the community. The WAC group has chosen as their initial project the remodeling of an existing classroom into a nursery with ready access to a restroom. The WAC sees this as a great need if the church hopes to serve families that God will send to Open Door Fellowship. This project is in the planning stages and will soon be underway. The Master’s Men chose as their first project to landscape the church yard around the sanctuary. The landscape project entailed removing some unsightly chained link fencing, the creation of plant beds, and the planting of shrubs and flowers. This project is about complete and the next project will be to cut a door through from the planned nursery into an adjacent restroom so the WAC can complete their project. Please pray for these new auxiliaries and the men and women who have joined together to form them. Pray that these organizations will help these men and women grow closer together, grow closer to Christ, and build a strong core for Open Door Fellowship. Pray these organizations will help to minister in Valdosta.