Most of you are already aware of this, because you heard Doug King’s announcement last Sunday, or because you received an email about it earlier this week. But perhaps you’re either a guest or you’re not on the email distribution list. (If that’s the case, and you’d like to be added, please write it down on your attendance card.)
Today, Greg Rose, one of our shepherds, will be filling in for me. He’ll preaching on pornography and the damage it does to Christian lives. Greg will be talking about the power that it has over so many, the shame that those who struggle with it experience, and ways that we can encourage confession, grace, accountability and prevention.
We realize that this is a difficult topic to discuss. (That's part of what makes it so powerful.) We also realize, as a guest, it might not be something you want to hear about on your visit to a new church. Finally, we know that there are some children who are usually too old for Children’s Worship but too young for this subject matter.
We want you to have plenty of time to decide what is best for your family. For those who aren’t ready for their children to hear about this, Eric and Holly Harrell have kindly offered to open Children's Worship to children who would normally be too old to attend. This will let the adults and young adults (whose parents wish to allow it) to hear this important message. The point of all this is not to be lurid. Nor is it an attempt to point fingers and make anyone feel ashamed. The point of talking about this is to invite more people to experience freedom.
We want to give appropriate notice, but we don't want to scare you away. Greg has spoken about this to churches before. And he's speaking this Sunday with the full support of the other shepherds. This is an important issue that deserves our attention. While we haven't entirely ignored it, we haven't said as much as we should have. I believe Greg’s willingness to talk about it provides a good step in the right direction.
-Robert
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm51)