Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 7

Rolinisn Enquirer and News, Feb. 12, 1983 A-7 The monks of Forest Pork, do their best to live a peaceful life. Wooded grounds surround their monastery, creating the quiet atmosphere the monks need for their daily prayers. Each one will spend several hours alone every day reading the Bible. But the quiet moments must give way to the practical: The order currently bakes six types of bread, which they offer for retail sale in supermarkets throughout central Oklahoma.

Sales from the bread help sustain the monastery. APPhotot raj- -ps 1- ilFiPSl Monast The search for peace jr. v. A i 4-" mm i y- I' 1 '-5itf Invite a friend to church today Time is precious; spend it wisely Guest Message Billy 4 Graham fcj "Guest Message" is a weekly feature brought to you by the Enquirer and News and members of the Forward in Faith Clergy Fellowship. The opinions expressed are purely the opinions of the writer.

Reader comment is welcome. Today's writer is the Rev. Leon W. White, pastor of Pennfield Presbyterian Church. A graduate of the University of California and Princeton Theological Seminary, he has been pastor of Pennfield Presbyterian Church for 15 years.

gregation, answered that an acquaintance or relative invited them. Door-to-door visitation, mass evangelism, denominational ties, a particular pastor, advertising all of these have some effectiveness in drawing people to a church, but it is small when compared with the appeal of an invitation coming from someone who is respected and can be trusted. If we were to survey most any congregation and ask members why they chose that church, I'm convinced we would find that with a large majority their first visit came as the result of an invitation from some friend or relative who already is a member. Recently, I read some practical suggestions about how to be more effective in extending an invitation to persons and families without a church. First, make a note to yourself, perhaps on a daily calendar, say on Friday's page, to invite someone to church.

It is easy to forget to do this or to remember too late, and a simple self-reminder serves to jog your memory at the right time. Next, be persistent. Ask more than once. People rarely get annoyed when invited two or three times to attend. In fact, sometimes after they start coming, they jokingly complain about how persistent you were.

Also, remember to follow up and invite your visitors back. Many are ready to return but are waiting to be THE REV. LEON W. WHITE Those of us who read this feature each Saturday are persons who want the congregations of our community to grow. But how is this growth achieved? In the second chapter of the New Testament book, the Acts of the Apostles, I believe we find an answer.

There we read, "Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they (that is, the first Christian congregation) partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." We should note, "the Lord added to their number." More than we, God desires and is responsible for church growth. And God will accomplish that growth, but he depends on us. How can you and I best be used so that growing numbers will experience the joy that comes in knowing Christ and the fellowship of his people? The answer is by inviting persons to worship with us or to take part in some other activity in the life of our congregations. And whom do we invite? We can begin with those we know best relatives, friends, neighbors; persons with whom we work, study or play; those with whom we often come in contact.

Studies have found that 70 to 90 percent of church members, when asked why they became part of a con Rev. Leon W. White asked again. I think all of us recognize church attendance as a good habit that must be developed. Third, don't think you have to be socially aggressive.

You are simply extending a warm invitation to a relative, a friend, a neighbor, an associate from work or from some other activity who you probably already know rather well. Don't be afraid that you have to sell a stranger on something. And if you get turned down, don't consider it a personal Fourth, be specific in what you are asking someone to do. Rather than, "How about attending church Sunday?" say something like, "I've been wanting to invite you to come to church with me some Sunday. How about this week? Our service begins at 10 a.m., and I could pick you up at 9:30." God wants the churches of our community to grow, and this can happen.

But, the Lord needs our help. Who is that unchurched person who awaits your invitation? DEAR DR. GRAHAM: I think I must be addicted to television soap operas. I know I spend too much time watching them, but I get hooked on them and just can't seem to break the habit. Do you think there's anything harmful in H.W.

Dear Mrs. N.W.: I suspect that you know the answer to your own question, because I detect a sense of guilt in your letter and a feeling that you know you should be using your time in a more productive way. Yes, I think you need to reexamine the way you spend your time. There are at least two reasons I say this. First, I suspect there is a good chance you are spending so much time watching television (from what you say) that you are neglecting other things that you ought to be doing.

Time is a very precious thing once a minute is lost, it is lost forever. The Bible tells us to "redeem the time" (Colossians 4:5, King James Version). Yes, there is a legitimate place for relaxation and recreation. But we also have been given responsibilities by God within our family, our job, etc. Second, you need to ask yourself if your time can be used to better advantage or profit, and even if this sort of activity could be harmful to you.

The Bible gives a general principle that should guide our thinking and our activities: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things" (Phi-lippians4: 8). DEAR DR. GRAHAM: I have been married for several years, and I am beginning to worry about our marriage. At first we were deeply In love, but now those feelings of love seem to be fading. How can we get them back? S.M.T.

Dear S.M.T.: I have observed that there is a distinction betwen romance and true love. They are often related to each other very closely, but there is a difference. Let me explain. Romantic love is often very emotional. Two people are attracted to each other, and strong feelings develop between them.

This is often what people mean when they say they are in love they have strong romantic feelings toward another person. But the problem with romantic love is that it gradually fades as time goes on. The deep emotional feelings are no longer as strong as they once were and may even vanish altogether. Unfortunately, when this happens a couple may decide to end their marriage. I hope, however, that this will not be the case with you and it need not be if you will work at establishing your relationship on true love.

True love includes romantic love, but it is more than that. True love involves a commitment to each other, and a settled determination to be kind and considerate to the other person instead of selfish. Love, you see, is more than a feeling it also is an action. Look at the characteristics of true love that the Bible lists: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians Chicago Tribune Co. WELCOME TO: SABBATH OBSERVERS Are you attending services? Are you discouraged over church rules? Divorce, Doctrine, Hurt feelings? Questions about leadership the last few years? SERVICE AVAILABLE Call, let's talk 671-5199 A Special Tribute Honor Birthday Celebration for Rev. Mrs.

Don F. Price in their retirement from the international devotional radio ministry, "THE FAMILY ALTAR of the AIR April 1947-Dec. 1983. 37 years of daily broadcasting. "A LABOR OF (No Gifts Please) Morning Chapel Choir Singing Family Altar of the Air Favorites DONNIE PRICE, Featured Soloist 11 :00 A.M.

HONOR SERVICE Many Special Guests Attending Mayoral Proclamation Message: "KEEP LOOKING UP" Pastor Burdette Price AREA-WIDE OPEN HOUSE 3 TO 5 P.M. 5:00 P.M. Closing Honor Service "KYRA ANDTHE KEYNOTES QUARTET" A beautiful commemorative color portrait of NORTH AVENUE 00 A.M. 6:30 P.M. SERVICES OR.

RON MANAHAN A i45 A.M. BIBLE STUDY HOUR CHURCH OF GOD 1079 North Ave. Phone Whf Solvation MokotYou oMombor 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worthip Battle Creek Bible Church 567 W.

Territorial Rd. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. i V'Jy MON iM P.M. AW AN A yfl WiD. TjOO FAMILY NIGHT 1 LiJ WED.

7:45 P.M. -CHOIR PRACTICE Kev. Mrs. Don rrlce to every adult attending. Family Altar Chapel 14844.6V4 Mile Road Co-Pastors: D.

Burdette Don F. Price Youth-Jr. Sr. High 5:15 p.m. p.m.

Evvning Worahlp Wd. p.m. MMtoMkMinMfrl Nvrnff ProvlM Pattor CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 1625 Capital N.E. 963-4433 Primary p.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Richard Struthr, 0 Pator.