This article discusses important considerations for choosing a church. It notes that while many choose based on facilities, programs or music, more crucial factors are doctrinal soundness and faithfulness to the New Testament pattern. The author questions whether some seek spiritual nourishment or feel-good messages. Churches need leadership that loves souls and reproves unfaithfulness, not those who craft their own procedures. Many are drifting from restoring the original church.

1. 4
Hugh Vol. 44 February 19, 2019 Number 7
What Are You Looking for in a Church?
Wayne Jackson
Some people couldn’t care less about religion. They do not believe in
God; and “church,” in their opinion, would be a burden and a waste of time.
There are not many theoretical atheists (the evidence for God’s existence is
much too compelling); there are, though, legions of practical atheists—those
who profess belief, but live as if there were no God.
Most folks, however, have a genuine conviction that there is a Creator
and they believe they owe him allegiance. Accordingly, if they really are
conscientious about that, frequently they will search for a church. They may
choose one associated with a family tradition, or they may simply go shopping
for something near their home. Neither of these avenues of pursuit is
necessarily wise.
Churches are plentiful. If one lives in a metropolitan area, he scarcely
will be more than a few blocks from a church building. There are large
facilities and smaller ones. There are bright, well-kept places, while others are
run down. If you are looking for material constructions, you can just about
have your choice. Unfortunately, it is the case all too often that “church”
choices are superficial. For many, spiritual considerations are not the prime
factor in a church selection.
In looking for a church, the first consideration for some is what type of
facilities or programs are available. For example, is the building comfortable?
What sort of seating is provided, or how is the temperature regulated? Is the
parking convenient? Is there a commodious nursery? Is a daycare facility
available? Are there recreational and social activities for the members? Do you
have a “bail-out” program in case I get behind on my car or house payments?
Notice that all such questions are grounded in physical-material
interests. Others move in a slightly different direction. They want to know: Do
you have a good music program? Is there, perhaps, a chorus or “praise” teams?
Is your church a democracy where everyone has the right to help make church
decisions, etc.? Questions of this nature, though sincere, indicate the need for a
more mature level of knowledge.
More crucial are the following considerations: What does this church
stand for? Does it hold the conviction that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired
word of God? Does the leadership believe in the uniqueness of the New
--article continued page 2--
ELDERS
Mike Childers..............397-6453
Dennis Hallmark .........255-5557
Mark Hitt.....................322-0917
Bobby Lindley.............260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan.................419-5552
William Harris.............416-8149
Ricky Lindsey .............255-8136
Jeff Mansel..................871-0357
Jimmy Spearman.........840-8957
Michael Wilson ...........891-0891
PREACHER
Barry Kennedy ... (931)787-7108
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office...........................842-6116
Fax...............................842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship....................... 9:00 a.m.
Bible Classes............. 10:15 a.m.
Worship..................... 11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes .....7:00 p.m.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

2. --article continued from page 1--
Testament church pattern and strive to lead the
congregation in the direction of faithfulness, as
opposed to a loose philosophy which alleges that
most all “Christian” churches are okay, and
doctrine really doesn’t matter? Does the church
have an “open-door” policy where folks can simply
float in or out at their convenience, with no
accountability to the leadership? Such is not a
responsible way to conduct the Lord’s business.
Does sound doctrine emanate from the
pulpit—teaching that enriches the soul and
inoculates against worldliness and false doctrine?
Or are people looking for speakers who are
jokesters, stand-up comics, with a repertoire of
jokes that ridicule the church and biblical
preaching?
Are we anxious to have leaders who love us
and are concerned about our souls? Or do we
prefer to be left alone to craft religious procedure
according to our personal tastes? Do we want
healthy teaching that reproves, exhorts and, when
needed rebukes? Or would we rather have that
mushy, feel-good psycho-babble?
Are we still interested in restoring the
original church, or have we gravitated toward the
Joel Osteen, Rick Warren “community church”
motif? There is much talk these days about the
“emerging church.” The so-called church is one that
has “emerged” from the restraints of New
Testament authority and is of the Jeroboam variety
(1 Kings 12:25-33). Far too many want a religion
fashioned after their own inclinations (Colossians
2:23), with just a faint aroma of pristine
Christianity.
Congregations that have been identified
with a “restoration” principle for many years are
coming under a new leadership that is charting a
course more toward Rome than Jerusalem, and
scores of naive people can’t tell the difference.
Many need to look into the mirror of divine truth
(James 1:23-24), and ask themselves this question:
“What am I looking for in a church?”
Visitation Team #4
Visitation team #4, Mike Ratliff’s team, will
meet briefly after services in Room 10 this Sunday,
Feb. 24. There will be NO meal this month.
Thank You Note
To the East Main congregation,
No words can express how grateful I am. There
has been an endless outpour of love shown to me
during my sickness. The prayers, visits, food, phone
calls, texts, money—the list just goes on and on.
Please continue to remember me as I continue to heal.
I love you all so much. Love,
Jean
Gospel Meeting
The Amory congregation will host a Gospel
Meeting February 24-27 with B. J. Clarke speaking
at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and at 7:00 p.m. Monday
through Wednesday.
Lectureship
The Ripley congregation is hosting a lectureship
on the topic “Christ is King” Feb. 24-27. A flyer is
posted on the bulletin board across from the library
with a schedule of speakers, topics, and times.
Challenge Youth
Conference
We have 51 youth and adults
from East Main attending the
Challenge Youth Conference in
Pigeon Forge, TN this year, Feb.
21-24. If you would like to donate
water, soft drinks, chips, desserts, please bring them to
the building by Wednesday night, Feb. 20. Please
place your items on the library table. See Tim Davis
or Amy Voyles with any questions.
Community Outreach
Item for February:
Shampoo
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Norway.
Dylan Kelly, Steve Kelly’s grandson, is in Kuwait.

3. Daily Bible Reading
February 20...........................................Numbers 34-36
February 21....................................... Deuteronomy 1-4
February 22....................................... Deuteronomy 5-7
February 23..................................... Deuteronomy 8-11
February 24................................... Deuteronomy 12-16
February 25................................... Deuteronomy 17-20
February 26................................... Deuteronomy 21-26
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Heather DuBois (Feb. 20),
Savannah Tucker (Feb. 20), Jean Mounce
(Feb. 21), Gary Stanford (Feb. 21), Tim Davis
(Feb. 22), Sherry Kingsley (Feb. 22), Ben
DuBois (Feb. 24), Frankie Estes (Feb. 25), Joe
Minor (Feb. 25). Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Sarah Johnson, Eric & Glenda Barnette’s
daughter, delivered her stillborn baby Tuesday.
Frankie Griggs, Judy Bates’ brother, underwent
heart bypass surgery Tuesday in Vicksburg. Jerry
Smith, Kyle’s father, is home from the hospital, still
having health issues. Christina Lindley’s uncle, Lee
Graham, is back in ICU at NMMC following
another stroke. Jill Rice, Debbie Vines’ mother,
continues at the Sanctuary Hospice House. Barbara
Franks, Tammy Minor & Stephanie Baldwyn’s
mother, is home following hip replacement. Weston
Agnew, a friend of Lauren Long, was to see a retina
specialist Monday. Mitch Maclean, Billie McNutt’s
brother’s grandson, will undergo serious surgery
soon at St. Jude. Danny Wright & Robert Parker are
sick at home. (It was mis-announced Sunday that
Frankie Estes had been moved to the Greenhouses
at Cedars. She is still at Traceway Retirement
Community, Apt. 2C.)
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Lauren Lindley, Laverne Raper,
Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley, Linda
McCurley, Mary Jordan, Bretta Robinson, James
Goddard, Bill Goff, Tommy Goff, James Nichols, Sheba
Tuggers, Sherry Gregory, Shirley Owens, Nathan Hale,
Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Carol Nichols
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
Congratulations
Congratulations to Brenda
Beckner in the birth of her
granddaughter, Sadie-Lee Ann
McMurry, on Feb. 8. She weighed 5
lbs. 3 oz. and was 18 ¾ inches long.
Mother and baby are home doing
well.

4. Go Into All the World
“IN CHRIST ALONE...”
June 7th-8th
Please register at eastmaincoc.com
Speakers: Eric Owens, Joe Wells, Jonathan Bates & Harrison Moran
This camp is for ages 13-22 and is being hosted by the East Main Church of Christ, 1606 East
Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804. Please see Josh or Barry Kennedy for more information.
Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019 a.m.
Announcements..............................Dennis Hallmark
Bible Reading......................................Jake Kennedy
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Terry Kingsley
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Joshua Kennedy, David Ramseyer, Grady Vines
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Greg Lyle, Harold Roby, Hunter Underwood
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Closing Prayer.......................................Wesley Bass
Ushers .................... Dale Dulaney & Mark Gilliland
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ........................... Bobby Joe Lindley
Closing Prayer........................................Mike Ratliff
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Prayer ..................................................Mike Childers
Lead Singing........................................John Mounce
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ......................................Joe & Alicia Smith
..................................Grady & Debbie Vines
Prepare Lord’s Supper—February.....................Dale
Dulaney
Nursery...................Kim Johnson & Felicia Stanford
Pantry................................................... Peanut butter
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 2-13-19..............................................161
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-17-19 ...............................199
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................174
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................200
Contribution (budget $7,900)............................7,891