Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

"But then you don't seem to be so sure. Here's yourfirst problem. Until you know what you believe concerningJesus, until you are sure that you have received Him, orthat He has laid hold of you, you can't be sure of anythingelse, especially Heaven. If you think that you're going toHeaven without getting it settled in your mind about JesusChrist, or that you'll get there because you're a prettygood guy, you're only kidding yourself."Matt winced a little and wasn't sure he liked thisconversation. This hadn't bothered him before, whyshould he let it now?But Jess wasn't through yet. "I tell you I'm going toHeaven because I'm putting all my trust in Jesus Christand in the Bible.""You think you're perfect, huh?" Matt growled."By no means! Man, I wish I were. That isn't whatmakes the difference. It is the perfectness of Jesus thatcounts, not mine. I'm counting on Him to hold me safe forHeaven. I don't earn a ticket to Heaven. It doesn't dependon my holding on to Him. If it did, I'm a gonner, becauseI just can't hold that well. It depends on Hisholding on to me and His grip is secure. Here He says,John 10:28, 'I give unto them eternal life; and they shallnever perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of myhand.' Eternal life is God's gift to one who believes onJesus. And that belief is also a gift of God. God does it all,and I have accepted that — that's why I am secure.''Seepage 10Your Church Needs A Libraryby Ruth Culbertson Bush"Library" —what is it? Do churches need a library?Most everybody knows that a library is a collection ofbooks on various subjects but not everyone sees why hischurch should have one. Today, we are living in an agewhere education has become a necessity if one expects tosucceed in life. So, if the members of the (Sabbath) schoolare to become more involved in Christianity, provide theschool with the basis to do so — education.A church and (Sabbath) school library will do thefollowing for its members: (1) provide necessary studyhelps for both teachers and students. These helps willenable the teacher to be more effective in meeting hisstudent's needs and thus make his students want tobecome more involved in their lesson. (2) Help theaverage person to know what he believes and becomebetter grounded in the Word. (3) Become a motivatingsource for the lay person, i.e. — by reading Paul Little'sbook, How To Give Away Your Faith, he can become areal soul winner and as a result the church will grow. (4)Provide Christian literature for the whole family bothfiction and non-fiction. In this day and age, whenliterature is so prevalent, it is very important to get theright kind of reading material into the home.What books should go into the library? Books for allages from the nursery child through the adults. Nonfictionbooks may fall into the following categories: Biblestudy aids (atlas, commentaries, concordances, dictionaries,translations); Bible study books; Biographies;Christian education; Christianity and other religions ofthe world; Christian living; Doctrine, Devotional;JANUARY 27, 1971History; Missions, Personal Evangelism; and Theology.In closing, remember a church library should not bea place to discard old books. In fact, quality is much moreimportant than quantity. It is important that each book isread before it is placed in the library. Doctrinally unsound,or theories which are not acceptable to the church(e.g. evolution) should not be included in the books in thelibrary. Last of all remember, a library is not builtovernight.One's goal should be to build an effective librarywhich will strengthen the local church.Something AddedPrimary steps for the establishing of a library —1. An expression of a desire or a need for the same.2. The space — accessible to both the members of the(Sabbath) school and church. If possible enough space toallow for growth.3. Selection of a librarian — one who is interested inbooks, knowledge of what work is involved, a pleasingpersonality — one that sees the worthwhileness of readingand can share her enthusiasm.4. The operation of the Library, care of the books, increasingthe number, cataloging, etc. etc.5. What about a library of visual aids included?6. Underwriting the cost of supplies, etc. Will the(Sabbath) school do this?7. Committee for publicising the books — monthlyspecials, displays, bulletin boards, etc.8. Books given as memorials to be encouraged.Episcopal Recorder9