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Family Lines Newsletter, January 11, 2007
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**Elder Selection Process Begins**
 
We are starting 2007 with what should be one of the most edifying seasons in the life of this church family.  Our current shepherds are asking us to name more men who can serve in the role of shepherd.  This is a charge that involves every member of the church family.  Together we may serve as the instrument God uses to call out and recognize the additional shepherds. Throughout the process we want everyone to be prayerful and study the biblical teachings on leadership.  Consider these questions along with the biblical teaching as you consider your nominations:  Who among the men of our church family do you look to for wisdom?  Who would you seek out to pray for you or your family?  Who encourages you be more like Christ?  Who seems to have insight into Scripture and the will of God?  Who models the mind of Christ?  Who inspires you to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ?
 
*Selection Process Timeline*
 
Jan. 28 – Feb 4
All members should submit signed nomination forms.  Forms (on blue paper) may be found at the information desk in the foyer and should be returned to the designated drop on or before Feb 4.  Unsigned nominations will be discarded.
 
Feb. 5 - 10
Current elders will review the nominations and consult with men who receive the largest percentage of nominations.
 
Feb. 11
Qualified nominees with the greatest percentage of nominations and a desire to serve will be announced as candidates for shepherds.
 
Feb. 12-18
Concerns about any candidate should be submitted in writing to the elders for review.  Unsigned letters will be discarded.
 
Feb. 18 - 25
Affirmation of candidates. Forms (on gold paper) may be found at the information desk in the foyer and should be returned to the designated drop box on or before Feb. 25.
 
March 4
Dedication of elders.
 
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**A Challenge Facing Congregational Leadership**
By David Chadwell
 
“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”  (1 Peter 5:1-3)
 
I was asked to share my insights on congregational leadership.  I was not provided thoughts--the insights are my own. If you disagree, disagree with me.
 
Selecting elders is a unique moment in a congregation’s history.  It can be a great affirmation of God’s goals.  It can be a tragic commitment to human agendas that change a congregation’s focus for decades.  It is always a courageous commitment to faith in God, or a commitment to convenience that seeks comfort.  Amidst swirling fears, it can be a time of fear rather than an opportunity for faith.  If Christians hold genuine confidence in God, it should be a unique moment of faith.
 
Among the many challenges confronting those who lead is the challenge of congregational diversity.  Younger and older Christians hold different perspectives. The struggles of Christians from non-spiritual backgrounds are often distinctive.  Christians from differing heritages and traditions do not have identical concerns as Christians from three [or more] generations in churches of Christ.  Christians with differing ethnic or national backgrounds view this world and its problems from differing views.
 
A remarkable thing about this congregation: the ability to respect Christians whose faith and repentance led them to baptism into Christ EVEN IF WE DISAGREE LATER.  Quickly additional elders will confront this diversity. Soon they will decide if God’s purposes are achieved through unity in diversity or conformity to demands.
 
The problem is not new.  In fact, it is as old as the church.  Diversity between Jewish and gentile Christians created enormous first century church problems.  You can see this problem in scripture.  Consider Jewish Christians’ reaction in Acts 11:1-3 to the conversion of the non-Jewish Cornelius in Acts 10.  Not even a vision from God altered their distaste for gentiles [any non-Jewish person]!  Consider the conflict between Jewish and gentile Christians in Acts 15:1-5.  This dispute had to be referred to the Jerusalem leadership!  Consider the resentment of Jewish Christians toward Paul because he dared convert gentiles (Act 21:20-22).  Their elders could not prevent the explosion fueled by Jewish false rumors targeting Paul!  A core issue prompting Galatians was this conflict between Jewish and gentile believers in Christ.  Consider more about first century “in church” conflicts by reading, Unity and Uniformity in the Early Church, on our Web site.
 
We are a diverse congregation.  A leadership that respects this diversity is essential to spiritual success as we seek God’s goals.  God’s purposes, not human agenda’s, must guide us as God’s people.

**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
• Coleen Shirley is recovering at home from foot surgery.
• Earl Flood had a cornea transplant Thursday morning (1/11/07) in Little Rock.  He is doing well and gets his eye patch off Friday.
• Jess Huff  (hospice care)
• Kyle Stinchcomb (son of Niketa) is doing well following surgery on his jaw.  He is at home.
• Lee Ann Goines (member at Dayton Church) has returned to MD Anderson in Houston for treatment of an infection in her incision.
• Mark Hite broke his leg on the LFC ski trip. He had surgery Saturday in Denver, CO. He came home Wednesday afternoon.
• Mary “T” Kolb is doing some better. She is in St. Edward, room 3312.
• Mitch Harper had out-patient sinus surgery Wednesday morning.
• Naomi Spears, daughter of Pearl Beam, is in Sparks Hospital, room 641.
• Norma Jean Breedlove is very ill with shingles.
• Patty Kaiser is still very ill following her surgery. She is at St. Edward Hospital, room 4405. Patti has prayer pager 441-2387.
• Starr (daughter-in-law of Joe and Peggy Pistole) had her first chemotherapy treatment Tuesday morning.
 
**Dismissed from the Hospital**
Ava Jones, Melissa Tygart, and Genevieve Rhodes.
 
**Welcome, New Member!**
Barbara Dunlap
P.O. Box 504
Sallisaw, OK 74955
Phone: (918) 774-5835
 
**Change of Address**
Bill & Doris Stokes
904 Morris Street
Pocola, OK 74902
Phone: (918) 436-7531
 
Rick & Natalie Nelson
6501 Rye Hill Rd. East
Fort Smith, AR 72916
Phone:  648-0519
 
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**Planning for VBS 2007!**
When making your summer plans, please mark on your calendars our dates for West-Ark's VBS, June 18-21.
 
**Sharing the Joy**
Kylee Partin (age 18) and Eric Partin (age 15) of Oklahoma City, OK were baptized here at West-Ark on January 2 while visiting with their grandparents, Paul and Marlene Tucker.
 
**Senior Game Day**
Thursday, January 18
12 Noon at Meg Canfield’s home
 
**Joy Bunch**
“Fun & Games Night”
Saturday, January 20th
6:00 p.m. Potluck in the FLC
Bring your favorite games and have fun.
 
**Happy 60th Anniversary!**
Montie & Bonnie Ray
900 Bonnie Lane
Greenwood, AR   72936
My parents will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary on January 18th. I know they would love to receive a card or note from those who know them.
 ~~Karen Carter
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church Family
Where do I begin? I was overwhelmed Sunday night with your kindness. Nothing could have made me happier or given me a better gift than your love and hugs. The beautiful Retirement Reception and your words of encouragement were far more than I deserved. I loved what I was doing the last 25 years, and I am so thankful for you – the West-Ark Church of Christ.
 With love and blessings,
 Myra Flippo-Puckett
 
I want to thank my sisters and brothers for their prayers and cards. The prayers were especially appreciated and comforting.
With Christian love,
Marie Cook
 
Dear Family at West-Ark,
I can’t begin to tell you what your love and support has meant to me and my family. For the visits, calls, all the cards and food, we will always be so grateful. We love you.
     Wanda Wear & Family
 
Dear Family,
We thank God for all of you – for your faithfulness to Him as well as the loving kindness you always show to us because of His Son. May you continue to grow and support each other under His grace and power.
Love,
Chris and Heather Carroll
Monterey, Elijah & Micah
 
**Ladies Retreat**
February 16 & 17
Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville.
The cost is $50 per person for rooms with two or more individuals. For those wanting to room alone the cost is $60. If attending Saturday only, the cost is $25. Online registration is currently available at http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/retreat.htm . Regular registration will begin on January 14. Women need to sign up and pay by January 31st.
 
**Coming Events**
Sunday, January 21
Elders, Deacons & Ministry Leaders’ Meeting, 4:00 p.m. upstairs in the FLC.
 
Sunday, January 28
Family Meeting and Fellowship Meal in FLC.
                  
**Updating Church Info!**   
We’re only as current as the information you give us! E-mail or call the church office to let us know of any recent changes in your home address, phone numbers, place of employment, work phone numbers, e-mail address, or number of children living at home.  Thanks!
 
**Guyana Medical Mission 2007**
We need medical workers and Bible teachers to join our 17th annual medical mission team to Guyana, South America, June 2-10, 2007.  See Michael or Jeannie Cole if you would like to go.
 
**Dynamic Marriage Seminar**
We have just a few openings left. Current plans are to have an orientation on February 4th. The cost for everything needed is $130.00. To register or for more information, contact either Mat Griffin or Paul Shirley.
 
**Attention Van Drivers!**
New insurance requirements state that we need updated information from the drivers already authorized.  Please see or call Lynn to make arrangements to sign the form and complete needed information.  The forms are available at the Information Center in the foyer.  If you want to stay approved to drive, I need this information. ~~Lynn Dickey
 
**LTC for January 14**
4:00 Elementary Signing
 High School Quiz Bowl
5:00 Elementary Chorus
 Secondary Chorus
6:00 Elementary Drama
 
**Tutors Needed**
Two additional tutors are desperately needed for the Tutoring Program. If you are available Tuesdays, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., contact Sheila Vaught.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole 
           
*Sunday Night Live Youth Series*
Southside Church of Christ, Rogers, AR
Sunday, January 14th
for 7th-12th graders
Leave at 4:15 p.m.
Return by 9:30 p.m.
There is no cost for SNL 
Supper is included
 
*Winter Retreat*
Siloam Springs, AR
“The Good Shepherd”
February 2nd – 4th
For 7th-12th graders
Cost: $40 includes all meals, lodging, and long sleeve retreat t-shirt
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
January 8
Patti Anderson
Rex Mason
 
January 9
Jessica Frost
Bill Kamp
Marcia Tomlin
 
January 10
Russell Burger
Judy Wright
 
January 11
Nancy James
Nathan Kimbrow
 
January 12
Sam Lively
Tyler Robbins
Charlotte Rye
 
January 13
Reynda Allen
Florence Cotner
 
**NURSERY WORKERS**
Morning
Vicki Anderson
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
 
Evening
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 662
Bible Classes  479
Sunday Evening 405
Wednesday Evening 316
Contribution   $20,409
Children’s Home $429
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 28
Contribution $137
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 64
Contribution $203
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
 
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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