November 18,1996
Dear Br. Lipton:
I understand that you are involved with a group that is raising up a new church. This must be a thrilling undertaking. New beginnings are sometimes nice and sometimes not so nice, but, either way you look at it, this enterprise certainly can’t be boring.
As you know, the Sabbath School lessons, this quarter, are on
the topic of the church family and the lesson this week is on
church organization. I believe very deeply in organization but
there are many brethren who quake at the idea of being organized
or rebel against it. The independent spirit is alive and well
among our brothers and sisters.
As you understand, from your career with the telephone company,
nothing can be accomplished, in the business world, without through
structure. Can you imagine an unorganized telephone company. These
same folks, who gripe and kick against church discipline, would
be incensed, if the telephone company were operated the way they
would like the church to function.
How they hope to finish the gospel commission, in an undisciplined
fashion, is a mystery. Or perhaps, they secretly don’t want
the work to be completed and this is their way of sabotaging it.
Only God understands the basis of these desires for disorganization,
although Satan is the author of all such movements.
Those, who claim that disarray would preserve their individuality
and freedom of action, fail to realize that true independence
is liberty from sin found only through Christ and disorder is
really slavery to sin and Satan who is the father of all disorganization.
I would be interested in hearing about your efforts to start this
new church. How is it proceeding?
Sevilla just discovered a new missionary field. Recently, I subscribed
to an Internet service and discovered Christian pen pals on the
Internet. There are Christians, all over the world, who desire
to correspond with other Christians for mutual friendship and
companionship. She has written to several of these folks but,
thus far, has not received a responses. However, any time we reach
out to others, in Christian fellowship, the Lord blesses our efforts.
There is always a missionary field waiting for each of us to explore
and work if we will watch for the Lord’s guidance and follow
His instructions.
We are never too old or too young to work in the master’s
vineyard. He needs all the workers He can find and then some to
finish the spread the gospel message. The world is a large harvest
field and many workers are needed. We require no special training
or preparation, to work in His vineyard, only a willingness to
be taught of the Lord and to follow His instructions and providence.
But then you already know these things.
May the Lord richly bless you. Your brother in Christ.
Allen Benson