The church at Glendale

We got to spend the afternoon and part of the evening with a couple from the church with which we've decided to work. Lamar and Betty. They have been a favorite sight from the very beginning. In fact, I may have told some of you about the very first time I met them. I was in Arizona without the children to look for housing. When John and I walked out to the truck after Wednesday evening services Lamar firmly (seriously even) asked John with a strong hint of suggestion if he were going to open my door for me. He went on to say (with a wonderful twinkle in his clear blue eyes) that he's been opening Betty's door for her for 60 years and is going to continue until he learns to like her. This was followed by his contagious and wonderful wheezy laugh. I have never heard a single thing come out of his mouth, serious or funny, spiritual or secular that didn't have sincere wisdom attached to it. Betty, too, is ready to laugh. She hugs me often and inquires with a steady look about how I'm doing.
While they were at our house today there were many short conversations that have made me pensive - as well as those we had after we were no longer with them. They have lived in this area more than 50 years. They have worked with the group at Glendale for nine years, beginning their tenure after a troubling and difficult situation with another group in the metro area. (We have heard from respected people things about that group that concern us as well.) Lamar and Betty's observations about the Glendale group are similar to ours. The eldership is lacking in leadership, involvement and biblical qualifications. We talked to the elders about some of these things a while back. Most of them didn't seem to understand what we were getting at. At least in two cases, it is believed that their role is mostly (if not solely) to make sure that false teaching does not occur. One example that we have been concerned about is the practice after each lesson. When an invitation is given to respond for some spiritual need the preacher (whether he has just taught or not) stands waiting to help anyone who might respond. The elders do not. In fact, one night one of the elders extended that invitation and sat down afterwards, leaving the preacher to stand in wait for would be responders.
We have been talking about and brainstorming how we might best be helpful to this group. If you have ideas let us know. We are going to begin having a Bible study at our house, probably in January. There are definitely nuggets of opportunity. There is a young widower who is struggling with some complicated things, but he is so eager to study. He far exceeds many of us in zeal and humble desire to purely serve God. We have figured out that though the group is mostly comprised of elderly, there are young people lurking about. Very few of them are interested in spiritual things. In fact, we have not even met all of them yet because they simply aren't ever there. We feel like we can be helpful with them too, but are having difficulty coming up with ways to accomplish anything with them during this particular life season. If you have ideas about how we might engage them, please share.
Well, I keep nodding off, so I should get myself to bed.