A couple of weeks ago I was watching the coverage of Hurricane Katrina on the news and one of the experts, in essence, said, “Don’t just jump in your car and go to help, we don’t want renegade volunteers.” The phrase gave me pause. “Renegade Volunteer?” What an unusual combination of words. The concept, however, was immediately understood. If you simply jump in your car and go to help, you will become part of the problem instead of the solution. Working individually, one could, in such a circumstance, become a victim to the looting and violence that was so prevalent. Working with a team, however, one can accomplish more because the resources of a team are so much greater.

The concept got me to thinking about how some people view being a Christian. In essence, they are “Renegade Christians.” They believe that they can do their own thing without being associated or affiliated with the Lord’s church. Such puts one into a dangerous situation. Why? Several reasons.

First, a renegade Christian doesn’t have the protection of the shepherds of the church. Satan loves to isolate Christians and attack with all of his forces of evil. On our own, he can devour us handily. However, when we stay with the church, he has a harder time getting to us.

Second, a renegade Christian can’t do the works that the church, as a whole, can do. Some projects need more than one individual. They need a team of individuals. The Lord’s wisdom is evident in that the pattern for the church involves more than one person. When more than one is involved in an activity, there is more interest, encouragement, and accomplishment.

Finally, a renegade Christian won’t have the encouragement that those who are part of the church have. To whom may the renegade turn in times of crisis? There is no one. But the faithful member has a wonderful Christian family upon whom to depend.

There are all kinds of benefits to being part of a team. The church is the Lord’s team and as such we are expected to be members of that team. Are you a part of the Lord’s team, or are you a renegade Christian? ? ...copied from Berryville

Our hearts and prayers go out to with deepest sympathy to Ted and Renee Wheeler and their family in the death of Ted's mother, Sybil Wheeler, this past Thursday morning in Venice, FL. The viewing will be tomorrow (Mon.) morning from 9-10am at the Lemon Bay Funeral Home in Venice. In place of flowers, the family had requested that memorial donations be made to: Church of Christ/Ghana Missions. Memo: Sybil Wheeler Memorial. These funds will be used to support a Ghanaian preacher and his family that Sybil helped support over the years. These donations may be mailed to:

Sybil Wheeler
c/o Church of Christ of Venice
4301 SR 776
Venice, FL 34293

Keep the Wheelers in your prayers during this time of loss and sorrow.

Sun, October 16 10:30 a.m.
   Brian Kenyon “Parents as Examples”
Sun, October 16 3:00 p.m.
   Greg Littleton “Parents as Providers”
Mon, October 17 7:30 p.m.
   Bernard McKiever “Parents as Trainers”
Tue, October 18 7:30 p.m.
   Maurice Davis “Parents as Preparers”
Wed, October 19 7:30 p.m.
   Chris Steele “Parents Facing The 21st Century”

Make preparations to attend every service.

October Calendars
The October edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Men To Serve List is available today in the foyer.
Fellowship Tonight
All are invited to meet with us in the annex following the PM worship services this evening. We will be honoring the birthdays and anniversaries for the month of September.

New Congregation
The new Hispanic congregation being sponsored by the Lord's church at Eagle Lake will meet for their first service, next Sunday, October 2nd, at the Eagle Lake church building. Keep this needed new work in your prayers. Orange Street is also contributing to this timely work.

Ghana Fund
We have been ask to remind you keep filling your Ghana Fund jars with your loose change, in anticipation of next years Ghana campaign.

Silence is not always golden. When a man is falsely accused in my presence, I am obligated to defend. Otherwise, I am a party to the lie. A man can lie by keeping his mouth shut. One man said the world will not be lost by evil men with evil deeds but by good men who did nothing.