“RISE UP O MEN OF GOD”

We are a people under siege. The enemy is bold, brazen and belligerent.   They are scattered across the brotherhood, entrenched in some of our universities and in the pulpits of some of our largest churches. Their goal is to impose unscriptural changes on our churches. The result will be to change them into a denomination that will closely resemble the Independent Christian Churches, with whom they have long been involved in Unity Meetings.  Some of them would change us into denominational Community Churches such as the Willow Creek church in Barrington, IL and Saddleback church of Orange County, California.

Flowing principally from two of our large western Christian schools, these agents are intruding themselves into congregations all over the land.   Some of the leading advocates of change are using their influence to persuade younger men to get on their bandwagon...lest they be left behind in the dust.  A steady flow of literature is emanating from Abilene Christian University, which advocates changes such as accepting denominational status, a Pentecostal style of worship, the use of instrumental music in worship and allowing women into leadership roles in our churches. Salvation by grace, before baptism and other erroneous views and practices are also being promoted. This is surely the most serious challenge faced by the Lord’s church since the apostasy of the Disciples of Christ/Christian Churches at the end of the 19th century. Then we lost over 80% of our congregations, most of our mission outposts and all of our schools to the digressive. Only the dogged effort of men such as David Lipscomb saved the day back then. 

We must take heed to those lessons from the past.  Today we have time and opportunity to build a bulwark that will block the advance of these enemies of the church.  Agents of change will not likely be able to corrupt a congregation where a faithful man of God fills the pulpit. The young men trained under these change agents in our universities may well be infected.  Churches searching for preachers need to have access to men who are known to be faithful, reliable and dependable. The problem is, such men are in short supply. Across the brotherhood there are several hundred men who have served churches in days past as gospel preachers. For various reasons such men are not currently involved in preaching.  This is an urgent appeal to all such brethren to come out of their retirement and make themselves available to serve congregations during this time of crisis.  Some may wish to keep their secular jobs and work with small congregations or on a part time basis. Others may wish to serve small churches, subsidizing their salaries with their Social Security or retirement income. Such service may well be the most valuable and lasting you will render to the Cause of Christ.  In the opening weeks of World War II patriotic men of military experience, even though advanced in years and long retired came forth, volunteering to serve their nation.  No less is needed for the besieged church today.  “Rise up O men of God” and take your place in the ranks of the active soldiers of the cross. 

You are needed now more than ever before.  What more rewarding climax to your life’s work than to have help save a congregation of God’s people from those who would lead her into apostasy?