Singing and Understanding

Recently, Cole's dad, Rick shared a very interesting story with me.  But first let me give you some background.

Rick grew up attending a charismatic church, that uses popular style musical accompaniment, soloists, choirs, etc. in worship.  Rick was one of the soloists.  Rick married, Gina who grew up attending a non-denominational acapella Church of Christ.  Rick attended with her often, but remained loyal to the way his parents raised him.  A few years ago Rick and Gina began attending with us.  After a few months, Rick said he had some questions for me.  We met in my study before worship on Sunday afternoon.  He questions were great but that is another blog.  He surprised his family and to the delight of all here, he came forward and obeyed the Gospel that evening.  Rick now leads in worship in many different areas and teaches our young teens on Wednesdays.

Now back to Cole.  Because Rick's family (parents, brothers, etc) are still part of the other group Cole and his brother Brooks will occasionally visit with family and attend worship where they assemble.  After one such visit, Cole told Rick and Gina, "That was a cool church.  They had a band with drums, guitars, it was great!"  Rick asked Cole a simple question, "What songs did they sing?"   "I don't know," Cole replied, "but it was awesome."

After the conversation had changed Cole interrupted, "We did sing, 'It is Well with My Soul,' it was good too."  Rick later discovered that the reason Cole remembered that one song was it was the only one the whole congregation sung acapella.  The message came through when the instruments were silent.

Now I wonder how Eph 5, Col 3, and 1 Cor 14 would fit into this event?

Scott

Re-Thinking Church

A lot of good religious folks are talking about the church, and are rethinking and redesigning the church.  This May 1 and 2 the congregation at Sweetwater, TN will host a series of meetings designed to help us "Think About the Church."  If you are close by or are traveling through, please stop in.  Below is the advertisement for this series of meetings.  Oh, by the way, I am the guest speaker :-)

Scott

Saddlebags, City Streets, & Cyberspace - A Book Review

I am reaching into the vault of book reviews to pull out this one, I shared with an online preachers groups a few years ago.

Michael W. Casey, Saddlebags, City Streets, & Cyberspace; A History of Preaching in the Churches of Christ, (Abilene;ACU Press) 1995. 210 pp.

Michael Casey provides the churches of Christ with an historical volume of a different genre from most other Restoration History texts.  One would expect that in a fellowship that focuses much attention on preaching in our worship, there would be multiple volumes discussion the development and style of our gospel preaching.

Casey develops preaching and advises his reader to realize that preaching is a living representation of a living message that will always change and adapt as people change and adapt within their environment.  According to Casey's research, styles of preaching reflect not only the environment of the audience, but to a large extent the culture of the preacher.  As evidence of the adaptability of preaching, Casey points the reader to observe the change in Alexander Campbell.  He notes that Campbell made observed a change in sermon he preached ten months prior to crossing the Atlantic.  Campbell changed his preaching from a stoic recitation / reading to a more extemporaneous style for the American Frontier (p 19-20).  Early in the book, Casey warns that preaching, no matter the style or cultural form, must be faithful to the message of the Gospel.

Campbell, even while preaching more extemporaneously, preached from a Baconian (Rationalistic) style.  This style grew out of Thomas Reid's ideas of Common Sense, which states that every rational individual will come tot he correct answer if given the correct facts. American Rationalism an adaptation of Scottish Realism had four principal elements: (1) enthusiasm for natural science, (2) strict empiricism, (3) a love for inductive reasoning, and (4) the celebration of Frances Bacon as the father of inductive science (p 25-26).  Out of this rational approach grew the tradition of debates.  The assumption of those debating is that if Common Sense is common then fact presented to a reasonable audience will convince them of the Truth.

Casey then gives descriptions of various styles of preaching and gives examples of those using these styles.  he describes T. B. Larrimore as an example of a Narrative Preacher.  He discusses the influence of N. B. Hardeman and his Tabernacle Sermons on Evangelism and Campaign Preaching.  Casey assigns the genre of "Scholarly Tradition" to those who delve into Historical Criticism, specific exegesis, and general application.  Many early proponents of this Scholarly Tradition were the professors and leaders at various Christian Colleges and Universities.  To Casey, those that preach "Jesus Centered" lessons are Evangelical in tradition.

Casey concludes asking, "What's next?"  In this age of mass communication, we have very little reason to think that preaching will always remain the same.  If in the past, preaching evolved as Casey aptly describes, in this age of ever changing technology preaching will adapt, and should as long as preaching remains true to the Gospel message.  Casey recommends a shift or "reconnection of the academic discipline of rhetoric with homiletics" (p 199).

Seemingly, Casey blames much failure on the Rational Tradition for weaknesses in the Restoration Movement.  He also admits that each "tradition" has its own problems.  The emphasis then remains that the message is more important than the method of presentation.

In the intervening decade and a half since publication of Casey's book technology has impacted preaching.  Additional material discussing "PowerPoint Tradition" and even the influence of blogs, Facebook, and Twitter on preaching would be a welcome appendix.  I would personally like to see and evaluation of the methods of Paul, Peter, Stephen, and especially Christ.  As 21st Century Restorers, we can still learn much from these great men of the past and those that followed them.


Preach the Truth, no matter what!

Scott

What is the Church of Christ?

Admittedly, I feel completely inadequate to publish an answer. But with all the discussion, SPIN, and rhetoric circulating around Kenneth Starr's acceptance to take over the Presidency of Baylor University and the storyline that he will place membership with the on campus Baptist Church, I felt it was time to cautiously chime in. The answer I will give is mine and not necessarily the answer of every one who holds membership in a congregation claiming to be the Church of Christ

First, allow me to quote from Frank S. Mead, Handbook of Denominations in the United States, 5th Ed, (Nashville:Abingdon Press), 1970. "There is a distinctive plea for unity at the heart of the Churches of Christ -- a unity that is Bible based.  It is believed here that the Bible is the "beginning place" in and through which God-fearing people can achieve spiritual oneness" (p 85).  "They disclaim being a denomination, but claim to be nondenominational with no headquarters, no governing boards, and no clergy" (p 86). Mead lists numbers of colleges, universities, and lists a few publications in Texas and Tennessee then stresses, "Since all official status in these institutions is lacking, none of them being authorized to speak for the entire church, their conformity in ideas and teachings in all the more remarkable" (p 87).  Elsewhere in the article Mead mentions the concept of congregational autonomy with each congregation being governed by her own elders and deacons. (Mead lists, W.E. McClenney, B.W. Stone, and Earl I. West as sources for his information p 238.)

With this article as background let me give MY answer to the title question: "What is the Church of Christ?"

First while consisting of many congregations scattered around the world, the Church of Christ is universally one as she is: 1) the Body of Christ - Eph 1:22-23; 2) the Bride of Christ - Eph 5:21-33; Rev 21:2; 3) the Household of God - 1 Tim 3:15; and 4) the Kingdom of Christ - Col 1:13) among other descriptive terms.  Notice that each term is ultimately singular: body, bride, household, and kingdom; thus individual congregations made up of individual Christians are what comprise the universal singular Church of Christ.

I suppose the second point should answer who is a part of this universal Church of Christ?  Going back to God's word we find that those who are in Christ by faith have put on Christ and become part of God's family through the promised Seed of Abraham (Gal 3:26-29).  Here, I think is a particularly sticky issue.  In my past I have made too much of an argument about baptism and not enough about faith.  Let me be very precise in my wording; each individual that is a part of the house of God is saved by God's grace through faith (Eph 2:8-10).  Without faith man cannot please God (Heb 11:6).  However, what is truly faith?  Faith is not mere mental acceptance of facts.  Faith is trusting obedience.  Faith that does not submit to God is not faith.  Those that put on Christ by faith in Gal 3:26 were those who were put in Him when by faith submitted to immersion to contact His blood.  Paul tells the Romans Christians he was glad they had obeyed from the heart the standard of teaching that saved them (Rom 6:17-18).  That standard of teaching that saved them was the same doctrine that Paul taught the Corinthians - (the Gospel - 1 Cor 15:1-5; Rom 1:16).  That good news that saved was the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus as Christ.  Paul explains the Roman's faithful obedience to that gospel in Rom 6:3-6.  ALL the individuals world-wide who are en christo (in Christ), and ALL the assemblies of those individuals, are the universal Church (Body, Bride, Kingdom, Household) of Christ.

Now as Mead observed, these congregations are autonomous (self-governed).  Basically, that means what we do at Parrish may differ in someways from how they do things at Malibu, Baltimore, Nashville, London, Edinburgh, Kiev, or Jasper.  We may see some things as acceptable that others do not.  Some of the things they accept may not be acceptable here.  Sometimes these differences are merely cultural.  Sometimes these differences are simple matters of opinion.  However, there may be times when we think a Biblical issue is at the center of our differences. When the issue is considered by one or both to be a matter of doctrinal importance, lines of communication should allow for civil discussion.  If we come to an impasse, we may choose to limit cooperative fellowship.  That should not mean that each think the other is "hell bound and determined."  Such should simply mean we choose to work along side of those we feel are more like us.

Ultimately, God and Christ will judge each congregation (consider the Seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 & 3 - God judged each individually), and they will judge each individual.  Maybe that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, " . . . work our your OWN salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12, emphasis; SMc).  You and I as individuals will stand before God on our own.  We will face judgment as to whether we as an individual were in Christ and lived in sanctification and holiness (1 Thess 4:3-7).  Each eldership will give account for the congregation they served (Heb 13:17).

I am a Restorationist.  I believe that we must all go back to God's word for life and godliness.  I believe as many before me that we must set aside denominational nomenclature and return to purely Biblical ideas and principles.  I believe there is room for division in opinions or expediency. I believe mutual understanding of Biblical doctrines provides unity whereas disagreements in doctrine limit fellowship.  I believe that as long as humanity is involved there will be differences that seem insurmountable.  I believe we should teach the truth as we understand truth, allowing for folks to disagree, while continuing to hold fast to healthy spiritual teaching (sound doctrine). I believe in the end of time God will sort out who is and who is not His children.  I believe I must do my best to follow God and to teach others what I learn.  I cannot force them to agree with me, but I must share what I see is God's plan.  To do less would be irresponsible on my part.

Now let the comments flow!

Scott

Gospel Bees - an Old Sermon Outline

Edward Earnest, one of our shepherds at Parrish Church of Christ recently shared an old pocket sized book with me.  The book's title is simply: Sermon Outlines: Over 150 sermons by A. J. Bachman.  McQuiddy Printing, Nashville, TN 1921.  The first sermon makes for a good study and reminder, even though it may need a few less points:   
Gospel Bees . . .

1. Be Peaceful - Rom 12:18
2. Be Ready - Matt 24:44
3. Be Contented - 1 Tim 6:8
4. Be Steadfast - 1 Cor 15:58
5. Be Faithful - Rev 2:10
6. Be Unmovable - 1 Cor 15:58
7. Be Holy - 1 Pet 1:16
8. Be Reconciled - 2 Cor 5:20
9. Be Strong - Eph 6:10
10. Be Patient - Jas 5:7
11. Be of the Same Mind - Rom 12:16
12. Be Transformed - Rom 12:2
13. Be Baptized - Acts 22:16
14. Be Zealous - Rev 3:19
15. Be Doers - Jas 1:22
16. Be Temperate - Titus 2:2
17. Be Sober - 1 Thess 5:8
18. Be Wise - Matt 10:16
19. Be Worthy - Phil 1:27
20. Be Kind - Eph 4:32
21. Be Long-suffering - 1 Thess 5:14
22. Be Obedient - Titus 3:1
23. Be Gentle - Titus 3:2
24. Be Watchful - 1 Pet 5:8
25. Be Merciful - Lk 6:36

I think I will post this on my mirror, refrigerator, (bind to my hand, put on the doorpost, place as frontlets before my eyes - Deut 6:8,9) so I will remember what I should BE.

Scott