Shepherding a New Family

The Lord knows when to give and bring jn the increase in the church. We  have been praying and shepherding the families the Lord gave us. With much labor, we look to the Lord for increase. In fact, the Lord can also give the increase as He wishes. Though we will not neglect our part in praying and shepherding whomever the Lord gives, the ultimate result is with the Lord. If He bless, the church is blessed. And He will always bless His church.

Two weeks ago, a new family came to attend the Lord’s Day meeting, a family introduced by one of our sisters. They came basically for spiritual food supply especially for the younger ones. For whatever reason they came, it was the Lord who brought them into the church.

The following Friday night, my family visited the new family upon their invitation for lovefeast dinner. We went and enjoyed a time of fellowship and dinner when they opened up about their family situation. We got to know them better so that we may know how to shepherd them as well. As a custom, may be, they gift an envelope before I left. Though I told them that this should not be done and that being the first time I would not disappoint them this time. But deep within, I felt not to use it personally, whatever the amount. Instead, I purchased some good ministry books and gifted it to them back. So I selected some good booklets and good ministry books suitable for the family and gifted them on the Lord’s Day along with the HWMRs for them to start diving into the minsitry.

Since they are new to the church life, we would continue to pray for them and shepherd them in every possible way. The Lord has brought them and I trust, He will also keep them faithful for the Lord’s testimony in Gurugram. 

It is altogether upto the Lord to bring people into the church. We have exhausted all possible ways we could possibly think of, to gain new ones. Only the Lord can being people into His flock. Our responsibility is to cooperate with Him in gaining people for the Lord.

So far, we have been shepherding them according to what we sense their needs were. I do believe the Lord will continue to shepherd them through the ministry of the word. 

Lord, preserve this new family for Your testimony in Gurugram!