Welcome to the first ever BiblicalFamilies.org Newsletter! – Lord-willing just the first of many to come, about once a month or whenever we have something important to share with you.
In this issue:
1) Biblical Families news
2) 2008 Retreat Schedule update
3) A short message for the men
Biblical Families News:
We have been humbled by God’s Grace in the few months we have had the ministry site up. We all work fulltime jobs, and have not been able to get to some the things we would like to do – never-the-less God appears to be bringing the increase at his pleasure. Here are a few of things that have been happening recently:
1) We recently posted our first site redesign – check it out if you haven’t been there in the last 24 hours: BiblicalFamilies.org We hope to get much more content posted over the remainder of this year.
2) Over 80 people have signed up for the forums or newsletter to date, and over 300 messages have been posted in the forums.
3) We’ve recently started using Google ads to inform interested parties of the ministry.
4) CNN recently contacted us for a “Christian perspective on polygamy” during the current Texas FLDS crisis, and we were able to give a number of phone interviews, and it’s possible that one staff member may yet do an on-camera interview.
5) A retreat schedule has been solidified for 2008 (note the Texas date change), and we have had numerous people contact us for information on each retreat.
We have high hopes for what the future will bring, including home churches, and more. If you have an idea, or want to participate in some way, please let us know. And by all means, let us know what we can do for you – write us an email, or if you think others would be interested in your question/comment, post it in the forum – it shouldn’t take much longer for the forums to reach “critical mass”, where there’s lots of great interaction going on.
Zechariah 4:10. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”!
2008 Biblical Families Retreat Schedule update:
These retreats are a great way to meet like-minded Christians, and receive support for you or your family. Don't miss the chance to attend at least one retreat this year! Our retreats are very interactive – there won’t be classroom-style “teaching”, just sharing from those who have lived in, or spent time studying the Word about, plural families, and the Biblical foundations for such families. There is NO cost for attending a retreat – an offering will be taken to help cover any meeting-room or other expenses. We want you to come and be blessed!
East Coast, Orlando, FL area retreat, May 23rd-25th Memorial Weekend (just over 2 weeks!)
Actual location: Winter Garden, FL – just 7 miles north of Disney.
We’ve had some last minute confirmations for this retreat, it should be an interesting weekend, including all the staff of BiblicalFamilies.org. There’s still time to confirm! (Right up to 23rd is OK, actually.)
This will be a “casual” retreat, with plenty for children to do (lake, pool, boat, kayaks)
There will plenty of fellowship, and worship, and getting to know each other – some separate men and women’s sessions.
We will met at 7pm Friday night, then basically all day Saturday, and again Sunday, til 4pm or so.
Alternative activity (kayaking on a Florida river?) available on Monday (Memorial Day), or visit a theme park.
Please send an email for retreat directions, and list of closest hotels, and to confirm your attendance.
West Coast, Salem, OR area retreat, June 20th-22nd
Actual location: Silver Falls State Park
Evening sessions may be at a hotel that will give us a group rate – still being researched.
This retreat is also a special event for “christianpolygamy2@yahoogroups” members.
This will be an outdoor retreat, due to the beautiful Oregon June weather – plenty for the kids to do.
Fellowship, worship, and getting to know each other – also separate men and women’s sessions.
We will met at 7pm Friday night, then basically all day Saturday, and again Sunday, til 4pm or so.
Please write to let us know your interest, and for hotel information. Salem or Portland airports are fairly close by.
Central US, Dallas, TX area retreat, October 24th-26th (note new date - one week later to accommodate more interested families)
Actual location: Contact us for location.
This will be the “signature” Biblical Families retreat for 2008. We already have commitments for this retreat from a number of families and individuals.
There will be worship and fellowship, AND breakout sessions on topics important to plural families and those considering it – let us know what you’d like to hear discussed. If you want to be involved with a larger group, and hear what God is doing among like-minded believers, and be encouraged – this is a must-attend.
Sessions will run from 7pm Friday night, to Sunday 4 pm. A hotel group discount will be made available.
Drop us an email to let us know of your interest.
A message from Pastor Randy:
Loving Leadership
I would like to address the men in this first newsletter. Men, we who believe in plural marriage need to be the standard bearers of “loving leadership”. The world has already seen enough examples of “domineering leadership”, but knows very little of loving leadership. The Word of God tells us that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25). What does this look like in practical terms? The following comparison is designed to help you and me to become those leaders that God has called us to be!
Loving Husband
*Leads family towards God’s goals
*Has family’s best interest in mind
*Provides an example to follow
*Recognizes others’ limitations
*Demonstrates personal concern
*Shows sacrificial love
*Releases others’ potential
*Is a humble channel of Holy Spirit
*Remains open to correction
*Values others’ opinions
*Evidences a humble spirit
*Demonstrates a servant’s heart
*Gives credit where credit is due
*Brings others to maturity
*Uses discipline to help others
Domineering Husband
*Leads family towards self-interests
*Has own best interests in mind
*Expects conformity with no model
*Drives others beyond their limits
*Takes people for granted
*Takes advantage of people
*Stifles others’ development
*Proclaims self-assumed authority
*Is not adjustable
*Ignores others’ opinions
*Evidences an air of superiority
*Expects others always to serve him
*Takes credit for what others do
*Makes others dependent on him
*Uses discipline to punish
(Adapted from “Principles of Family Life” by Dick Iversion)
I know all of us men who love the Lord understand how important it is to allow the Holy Spirit to develop His fruit in our lives. I hope this helps you think through your own attitudes as a man, leader or husband.
Blessings!
In this issue:
1) Biblical Families news
2) 2008 Retreat Schedule update
3) A short message for the men
Biblical Families News:
We have been humbled by God’s Grace in the few months we have had the ministry site up. We all work fulltime jobs, and have not been able to get to some the things we would like to do – never-the-less God appears to be bringing the increase at his pleasure. Here are a few of things that have been happening recently:
1) We recently posted our first site redesign – check it out if you haven’t been there in the last 24 hours: BiblicalFamilies.org We hope to get much more content posted over the remainder of this year.
2) Over 80 people have signed up for the forums or newsletter to date, and over 300 messages have been posted in the forums.
3) We’ve recently started using Google ads to inform interested parties of the ministry.
4) CNN recently contacted us for a “Christian perspective on polygamy” during the current Texas FLDS crisis, and we were able to give a number of phone interviews, and it’s possible that one staff member may yet do an on-camera interview.
5) A retreat schedule has been solidified for 2008 (note the Texas date change), and we have had numerous people contact us for information on each retreat.
We have high hopes for what the future will bring, including home churches, and more. If you have an idea, or want to participate in some way, please let us know. And by all means, let us know what we can do for you – write us an email, or if you think others would be interested in your question/comment, post it in the forum – it shouldn’t take much longer for the forums to reach “critical mass”, where there’s lots of great interaction going on.
Zechariah 4:10. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”!
2008 Biblical Families Retreat Schedule update:
These retreats are a great way to meet like-minded Christians, and receive support for you or your family. Don't miss the chance to attend at least one retreat this year! Our retreats are very interactive – there won’t be classroom-style “teaching”, just sharing from those who have lived in, or spent time studying the Word about, plural families, and the Biblical foundations for such families. There is NO cost for attending a retreat – an offering will be taken to help cover any meeting-room or other expenses. We want you to come and be blessed!
East Coast, Orlando, FL area retreat, May 23rd-25th Memorial Weekend (just over 2 weeks!)
Actual location: Winter Garden, FL – just 7 miles north of Disney.
We’ve had some last minute confirmations for this retreat, it should be an interesting weekend, including all the staff of BiblicalFamilies.org. There’s still time to confirm! (Right up to 23rd is OK, actually.)
This will be a “casual” retreat, with plenty for children to do (lake, pool, boat, kayaks)
There will plenty of fellowship, and worship, and getting to know each other – some separate men and women’s sessions.
We will met at 7pm Friday night, then basically all day Saturday, and again Sunday, til 4pm or so.
Alternative activity (kayaking on a Florida river?) available on Monday (Memorial Day), or visit a theme park.
Please send an email for retreat directions, and list of closest hotels, and to confirm your attendance.
West Coast, Salem, OR area retreat, June 20th-22nd
Actual location: Silver Falls State Park
Evening sessions may be at a hotel that will give us a group rate – still being researched.
This retreat is also a special event for “christianpolygamy2@yahoogroups” members.
This will be an outdoor retreat, due to the beautiful Oregon June weather – plenty for the kids to do.
Fellowship, worship, and getting to know each other – also separate men and women’s sessions.
We will met at 7pm Friday night, then basically all day Saturday, and again Sunday, til 4pm or so.
Please write to let us know your interest, and for hotel information. Salem or Portland airports are fairly close by.
Central US, Dallas, TX area retreat, October 24th-26th (note new date - one week later to accommodate more interested families)
Actual location: Contact us for location.
This will be the “signature” Biblical Families retreat for 2008. We already have commitments for this retreat from a number of families and individuals.
There will be worship and fellowship, AND breakout sessions on topics important to plural families and those considering it – let us know what you’d like to hear discussed. If you want to be involved with a larger group, and hear what God is doing among like-minded believers, and be encouraged – this is a must-attend.
Sessions will run from 7pm Friday night, to Sunday 4 pm. A hotel group discount will be made available.
Drop us an email to let us know of your interest.
A message from Pastor Randy:
Loving Leadership
I would like to address the men in this first newsletter. Men, we who believe in plural marriage need to be the standard bearers of “loving leadership”. The world has already seen enough examples of “domineering leadership”, but knows very little of loving leadership. The Word of God tells us that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25). What does this look like in practical terms? The following comparison is designed to help you and me to become those leaders that God has called us to be!
Loving Husband
*Leads family towards God’s goals
*Has family’s best interest in mind
*Provides an example to follow
*Recognizes others’ limitations
*Demonstrates personal concern
*Shows sacrificial love
*Releases others’ potential
*Is a humble channel of Holy Spirit
*Remains open to correction
*Values others’ opinions
*Evidences a humble spirit
*Demonstrates a servant’s heart
*Gives credit where credit is due
*Brings others to maturity
*Uses discipline to help others
Domineering Husband
*Leads family towards self-interests
*Has own best interests in mind
*Expects conformity with no model
*Drives others beyond their limits
*Takes people for granted
*Takes advantage of people
*Stifles others’ development
*Proclaims self-assumed authority
*Is not adjustable
*Ignores others’ opinions
*Evidences an air of superiority
*Expects others always to serve him
*Takes credit for what others do
*Makes others dependent on him
*Uses discipline to punish
(Adapted from “Principles of Family Life” by Dick Iversion)
I know all of us men who love the Lord understand how important it is to allow the Holy Spirit to develop His fruit in our lives. I hope this helps you think through your own attitudes as a man, leader or husband.
Blessings!