Dub Mowery
These weekly periodicals are used by congregations for a multiplicity of purposes. These include keeping the local church informed concerning the membership and their families. This is a high priority because it helps us to apply such Scriptures as: “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:26; Rom. 12:15).
Various good works affecting the congregation could be announced in the church bulletin. After all, we should be “ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1). However, some local churches are guilty of becoming little more than social clubs. Their bulletin is used more to announce social activities instead of to promote true spirituality.
Good articles thoroughly thought out, whether written by the local evangelist or borrowed articles of other faithful brethren can teach many valuable Biblical truths and motivate the brethren to become involved in good works. I have seen many articles in some church bulletins which would be more suitable for denominations. They may present some moral truths, but do little to indoctrinate brethren in New Testament Christianity. Such lack of teaching in depth of God’s inspired Word is why the church of our Lord in many areas is drifting away from a “thus saith the Lord.” Such happened in the Old Testament when the priest kept back God’s Word from the people. The Lord declared through Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children”
(Hos. 4:6).
There should be balance in the proclamation of Biblical truths. Gospel preachers should not be guilty of proclaiming an incomplete picture of the inspired Word. This might be done by placing emphasis upon only positive teaching. Others may be guilty of tipping the balance toward all negative teaching. Either way would be contrary to the will of the Lord.
The apostle Paul pointed out: “Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27).
The Lord will hold accountable the preachers and elders who fail to uphold the whole counsel of God. The church bulletin is a medium in which brethren can not only be informed about news affecting the congregation, but also as a means of teaching and informing them about religious issues that can destroy the local congregation. The leadership of a local church does not serve it well by deliberately keeping it uninformed about damnable doctrines both in the world and
within the brotherhood.
