Our two congregations joined together for a Sunday service and Family Fun Day last week. We rented a school with an auditorium large enough for us all. Many from both congregations served as greeters, ushers, security, etc. A combined group led worship; our youth worship team played and sang the offertory; three university students read Scripture.
Lunch was potluck with four or five regional or country tables offering international food. Two cafes managed by Christians offered some "for purchase" food as well. Following lunch, there were games for the children (have you ever tried to pick up marbles with chopsticks?) and a basketball court for teens and adults. We were glad it was a large gym since there was a steady rain as a result of a typhoon that came fairly close to Hanoi.
It was good to worship, eat and play with our church family. "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God." That old Gaither chorus resonates with many of us. While the New Testament uses the word translated family or household infrequently (see Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; I Timothy 5:8), the concept of spiritual family is very strong. We are taught to call God our father. We are adopted as His children. Jesus is our brother.
Many have noted that sometimes we put too much emphasis on the natural family in North American churches. It is important in a society of fractured families to do what we can to encourage and strengthen families. However our churches should surely focus on the family of God to which every believer belongs.
This emphasis is easier here in Vietnam when almost all of us are far away from family except for parents who have school aged children with them. We all experience the longing to be closer to our families. But as Jesus taught, our love for Him must be stronger than our love for family members. And as the Bible makes clear, it is our faith family that will last - forever.
Lets make sure our local church family encompasses everyone equally, irrespective of what their natural family ties are. Lets make sure that while we highly value natural family ties, we don't lose sight of the great importance of our forever family!
Lunch was potluck with four or five regional or country tables offering international food. Two cafes managed by Christians offered some "for purchase" food as well. Following lunch, there were games for the children (have you ever tried to pick up marbles with chopsticks?) and a basketball court for teens and adults. We were glad it was a large gym since there was a steady rain as a result of a typhoon that came fairly close to Hanoi.
It was good to worship, eat and play with our church family. "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God." That old Gaither chorus resonates with many of us. While the New Testament uses the word translated family or household infrequently (see Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; I Timothy 5:8), the concept of spiritual family is very strong. We are taught to call God our father. We are adopted as His children. Jesus is our brother.
Many have noted that sometimes we put too much emphasis on the natural family in North American churches. It is important in a society of fractured families to do what we can to encourage and strengthen families. However our churches should surely focus on the family of God to which every believer belongs.
This emphasis is easier here in Vietnam when almost all of us are far away from family except for parents who have school aged children with them. We all experience the longing to be closer to our families. But as Jesus taught, our love for Him must be stronger than our love for family members. And as the Bible makes clear, it is our faith family that will last - forever.
Lets make sure our local church family encompasses everyone equally, irrespective of what their natural family ties are. Lets make sure that while we highly value natural family ties, we don't lose sight of the great importance of our forever family!
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