Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).
When it comes to stewardship of our time we all have the same amount, which is to say that we all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. What we do with that time should make certain that God is served and that we all contribute our share.
As elders, we also struggle with the allocation of our time and we need your prayers and your help. I know that many may think elders spend an inordinate amount of time in meetings discussing what may be thought to be matters of little significance. I too used to think that way, but I have since come to learn and appreciate differently.
As elders, some of our essential duties include:
Feeding the flock – Acts 20:28
Watching for the flock – Heb. 13:17
Tending the spiritually sick – James 5:14-16
Searching for lost sheep – Luke 15:1-6
Leading the sheep – John 10:3-5
Tending to hurts and wounds – Matt. 25:44, James 1:27
Protecting against perils and dangers – I Tim. 6:20-21 Being an example to follow – I Peter 5
Being with the sheep – Psalm 23
Praying for all the sheep – I Thess. 5:17
This past year we have tried to be diligent in carrying out our duties, but we realize that we have fallen short in some areas. We ask for your forbearance, patience and prayers.
We have spent much time working with matters that would provide timely and sound feeding and direction of the flock. We have spent many hours in homes and at various meeting times with members who were hurting spiritually, physically, or emotionally. We have helped many members to deal with and work through difficult family problems both from within their own physical families and with others in our family at Karns. We have followed up on matters that could have had a negative affect on the Word and its influence on our family here at Karns. We have met with members, students, and others who have had desires to be involved directly or through support of mission efforts in various parts of the world. We have spent time with new converts and those interested in Karns. We constantly pray for our family here at Karns.
We have been unsuccessful at doing enough and being there to satisfy the needs and desires of each and every member at Karns. We realize our shortcomings and do not offer any excuses, but we do pledge to keep on trying and we desire your prayers that we may have the strength, time, patience, and love of Christ to carry out the Lord’s will for our family.
For the elders, Gregg Woodall