Balancing Church and Family
Your family is not apart from your ministry; it's a part of your ministry.
Howard Hendricks A generation ago, a man wrote in his Bible, "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." That rule ordered his life. For twenty years, he scurried from Korea to Africa to China to India to Europe saving souls, housing orphans, and building hospitals. Through his documentary films, radio broadcasts, and personal appearances, he awakened the social consciousness of an entire generation of American Christians. In the process, he formed a worldwide relief organization, World Vision, that continues to be one of the most effective Christian relief agencies. The man's name was Bob Pierce. But while Bob Pierce was reaching the world, he had greater difficulty embracing those closest to him. He accepted the axiom, "If I take care of God's business, God will take care of my family." His consuming work kept him away from home for months at a time. Relational distance increased as time with his family decreased. He grew sullen, even hostile, toward his family and in time was legally separated from his wife. One child committed suicide; another married prematurely and was soon divorced. Soon even his closest associates found it impossible to work with him; they removed him from the organization he had begun. He became bitter and reclusive, suffering bouts of severe depression. Only on his deathbed did he manage one shining evening of reconciliation with his alienated wife and family. He died at peace, but his family life, in many ways, was still in pieces. The story of Bob Pierce haunts many of us who are commited to wholehearted service for Christ. Must family be sacrificed to accomplish something great for God? In the corporate ...
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