Dave Karpenko Family

Among Independent King James Bible Believing Baptist churches across this country, you will find division, discord, and disagreement. This, I believe to a large extent, is a result of the Christian college quagmire that we find ourselves in today. Instead of teaching the Bible, they have become mass producers of someones pet peeve. One of the arguments among our brethren is whether church or family comes first.

Just recently I heard a preacher declare from the pulpit that family comes second to the church. Families, he continued, are in disarray, because churches have failed to be churches in these last days. Unfortunately, he didn't have any Scripture to back up his statement. Sincere, though he may be, I believe it to be a deadly philosophy.

There are certain camps of Independent Baptists that do hold to the church first idea, even to the detriment of family. Numbers are vital to church success and family burnout is just the price one has to pay for the cause of Christ. Such reason sounds impressive that one would be willing to sacrifice marriage and family to win souls, but is it Bible? Is it a benefit to the Body of Christ for a generation to suffer broken homes for the sake of church activities, bus routes, and the many other demands that some churches place upon their people? Don't get me wrong! A lively church will be an active church with numerous opportunities for folks to serve the Lord. If our priorities, however, are not right, even what would be considered "good" could be the very thing that causes us to fail.

Consider with me what the Bible says in Psalm 71:17-18 when it says, "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." The Bible is clear what our responsibilities are to be! Our number 1 priority is to prepare the next generation to know and serve God. What good is it to win the world to Christ and lose our own children for eternity? Today, we are seeing fewer and fewer young people truly surrendering to God's service and there are fewer and fewer parents who want their children in God's service. The root to this problem is the home problem! Weak churches are made up of weak families. Discord in the church stems from discord in the home. Church life cannot rise above home life. It is as though we have lost sight of the forest through the trees. Unless we see revival at home, we will not see revival in the church.

Brother Lee Roberson wrote a booklet back in the 40s called "America's Prodigal Mothers" and on page 14, he makes this statement: "Boys and girls, young men and young women, do not look toward the Saviour because they lack the inspiration of a beautiful life. Hypocritical living destroys faith in God. Going to church on Sunday, singing hymns, taking part in the work of the church, do not count unless there is a daily living for Jesus." What was the "beautiful life" that he mentioned? Home life! Clearly he states that no amount of church life can make up for the lack of it. Daily living, right living at home with family devotions and family prayer are bedrock foundations to build a strong generation. Careless and mindless parenting leaves our children with the wrong friends and wrong activities, leading to wrong desires and bad behavior: another shipwrecked generation who will not carry the banner of truth.

Not convinced, well, consider what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:4 when it says, "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" The question sets the priority; rulership at home before rulership at church! Home is our first ministry. Much attention should be given to the establishment of right homes, starting with our young people and their quest for a mate to the raising of godly families that will become a godly people.

Certainly have your bus routes and church activities and all, but protect the home from damage. There is a balance and when home and church are strong, a testimony to the world is made, and our witness will be more readily received. That protection would also include not sending your young people off to college too quick without serious consideration of what the Lord would have you to do. Christian colleges will more readily threaten the spiritual walk of our children then help them. It may be more beneficial to their spiritual welfare to stay in their little church at home and develop some maturity under the leadership of parents and pastor before sending them off to face the spiritual challenges of today. After all, where is your loyalty; to a college or to Christ? Here is the right priority: God, family, and church. This makes good Bible sense!

"As a child, Eisenhower recalled how every evening, after their chores, he, along with his six brothers and father, would gather and sing hymns, accompanied by their mother Ida Eisenhower on the piano. They would then read the Bible as a part of their daily routine." Dwight David Eisenhower 34th President of the United States

Bingham, John Armor (January 21, 1815-March 19, 1900), was a U.S. Representative, 1855-63, 1865-73. He served as the U.S. Minister to Japan, 1873-85. He was Judge Advocate at the trial of President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, and one of the managers of President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial. John Armor Bingham stated: “I was instructed in early youth by precept and example of my father and mother. I hereby became convinced of the truth of Christ's teaching, and of the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. My convictions on this subject must suffice for me; I will not surrender them to any man."

"There is nothing so vitally essential to the welfare of the nation, nothing around which the nation should so bend itself to throw every safeguard, as the home life of the average citizen....When home ties are loosened; when men and women cease to regard a worthy family life, with all its duties fully performed, and all its responsibilities lived up to, as the life best worth living; then evil days for the commonwealth are at hand...." Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President

"If you are lax in the care of your children it makes it harder for me to take care of mine." Billy Sunday

"You cannot sow sin and reap virtue." Billy Sunday