Articles
Are We There Yet?
Mark and Retha Robinson Relocate
After 15 years living in Monticello, Mark and Retha will be relocating to Searcy, AR. where
Mark will continue his work in optometry in the Searcy and Little Rock area. Retha will begin
work on Harding University’s campus working in a supervisor role for student housing at
Harding Village. Mark has served as an el- der of the Monticello congregation for a little more
than 4 years. While here, Mark and Retha served as Bible teachers in our Bible classes and Mark
preached part time in Lake Village.
On behalf of the congregation here, we thank you for your example of faithfulness over the
years and pray the Lord continue to bless you and keep you in His hands as you begin this new
chapter in your lives.
Mark will continue his work in optometry in the Searcy and Little Rock area. Retha will begin
work on Harding University’s campus working in a supervisor role for student housing at
Harding Village. Mark has served as an el- der of the Monticello congregation for a little more
than 4 years. While here, Mark and Retha served as Bible teachers in our Bible classes and Mark
preached part time in Lake Village.
On behalf of the congregation here, we thank you for your example of faithfulness over the
years and pray the Lord continue to bless you and keep you in His hands as you begin this new
chapter in your lives.
Are We There Yet?
I used the inserted picture this past week in my sermon on heaven. Let me suggest another
way to consider the caption, “Are we there yet?” Growth is always of concern for a church
eldership, because if we aren’t growing, we must be dying. The obvious concern for growth is
sometimes amplified as a building program is begun. The real question isn’t so much about how
large a number, but how great a spiritual growth can be seen in our day to day living?
Hopefully we are trying to measure up to the life expected by our Lord and Savior (Matt.
11:29; Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:21). How do you measure up? Do you have the same humble spirit
the Lord had, willing to empty yourself completely, obedient to God in all things (Phil. 2:5-8)?
Or have you drawn a line in the sand, making a statement that your obedience goes only so far?
(Filling a pew each week is NOT growing spiritually!) When you have truly died to Jesus Christ
(Gal. 2:20), then you have completely sacrificed your life to Him and then you will begin to see
growth, not only in your life with Christ (spiritually), but also by the lives you will touch for the
Lord (numerically).
Bottom line: if we are growing spiritually for the Lord, we will also grow in number,
because then the Lord will be able to work through us (1 Cor. 3:7-9). Are we there yet? ~PM
way to consider the caption, “Are we there yet?” Growth is always of concern for a church
eldership, because if we aren’t growing, we must be dying. The obvious concern for growth is
sometimes amplified as a building program is begun. The real question isn’t so much about how
large a number, but how great a spiritual growth can be seen in our day to day living?
Hopefully we are trying to measure up to the life expected by our Lord and Savior (Matt.
11:29; Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:21). How do you measure up? Do you have the same humble spirit
the Lord had, willing to empty yourself completely, obedient to God in all things (Phil. 2:5-8)?
Or have you drawn a line in the sand, making a statement that your obedience goes only so far?
(Filling a pew each week is NOT growing spiritually!) When you have truly died to Jesus Christ
(Gal. 2:20), then you have completely sacrificed your life to Him and then you will begin to see
growth, not only in your life with Christ (spiritually), but also by the lives you will touch for the
Lord (numerically).
Bottom line: if we are growing spiritually for the Lord, we will also grow in number,
because then the Lord will be able to work through us (1 Cor. 3:7-9). Are we there yet? ~PM
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