Importance of Fellowship and Solid Teaching -- Coolhombres

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Subject: Importance of Fellowship and Solid Teaching

Author:
Franz Forman

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Date Posted: 13:13:03 03/08/02 Fri

In reading Micah's "thoughts" I am reminded of the value that exists within a Church that is able to provide both solid teaching from the pulpit as well as a Church family that can reach out to the un-churched in our communities.

Our two and a half years in Memphis Tennessee were spent at Bellevue Baptist Church. This Southern Baptist congregation of 27,000 members is led by one of the greatest teachers I have heard- Dr. Adrian Rogers. He consistently delivers the solid truth of the Gospel and compromises no words in the process. Yet, feeling at home here and feeling a growing personal relationship with the Lord was absent. Why? The church family WAS being taught biblical truth and how to fear the Lord, but they were so self-conscious about what was permissable by the Southern Baptist Convention and the Pastor that fear was a primary motivator for decisions on Salvation and church membership. My point- Solid teaching cannot stand on its own as the foundation of the church.

At our current church in Phoenix we recently had an opportunity to hear Brennan Manning, author of the book Ruthless Trust, speak on the importance of approaching God as our Abba Father, not just the omipotent Lord of the Universe. Our Senior Pastor has made a point to biblically present Jesus Christ as the key to our Salvation as a Father figure. As a result, we are encouraged to reach and teach non-believers through love, not fear. This, as you can imagine, has created a positive feeling among the congregation. The small Bible study group that we are in meets together and has fun with fellowship and the study of God's Word. All along, being taught sound Biblical truth that encourages a growing walk with the Lord. Our Sunday messages from Pastor Rick Efird would not be near as impactful to our lives had we not been able to enjoy our personal time with he and his wife watching them live what they preach in a non-church, non-Sunday morning environment.
The point- This fellowship AND solid Biblical teaching has helped my spiritual walk with God become more meaningful than just a strong Sunday morning message preaching on the Sovereignty of the Lord. -FF

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