SHOULD CONGREGATIONS COMMITTED TO THE CHANGE MOVEMENT BE IDENTIFIED AS SUCH?

 

Dear Bro. Waddey:

You wrote that "Bro. J. W. Shepherd was appointed to contact the churches and determine which were committed to staying with the old paths of Bible Christianity." Do you think the following action should take place today?  Mack 

Dear Bro. Mack:
Before I answer your question let me first describe a situation for you.  For 100 years folks in the northern and western states who were looking for a church of Christ have had to distinguish between two groups using that name.  There are congregations associated with the Independent Christian Churches that still use the name Church of Christ.  They have instrumental music, missionary organizations, fellowship denominational bodies and some congregations have women in places of public leadership. There are other congregations that are striving to be simple New Testament Christians, worshiping and serving God as did the ancient disciples of Jesus. In some towns, the congregations themselves made the distinctions. Signs or ads might read, Church of Christ (instrumental) or Church of Christ (a cappella).  When lists of our churches were compiled and published in those states we did not list the instrumental groups as part of our fellowship.  The same is true of other factions that had separated themselves from the mainstream.  Even today, the Directory of Churches of Christ prepared by Mac Lynn and published by 21st Century Christian uses identifying symbols to identify the peculiar identity of congregations. The letters "NI" identifies a congregation as "non-institutional." "NC" tells us a congregation opposes Bible classes.

In my estimation it would be perfectly legitimate to identify those congregations that have embraced the change agenda so that everyone will know what their peculiar identity is.  One need only read the many hateful criticisms the promoters of change lay against the brotherhood of churches that do not accept their call for change to see that they view themselves as different from and superior to us.  One need only visit their assemblies to see that they worship in ways that are significantly different from other churches of Christ.  One need only hear their sermons to understand that they preach a different gospel and plan of salvation than those of the "traditional" churches which they despise.  Many of them are removing the name church of Christ from their congregations so they will not be confused with the rest of us.  It seems to me that they would welcome the opportunity to be identified as a separate body of people.

I can see why  some of the promoters of change would not want to be identified as a different kind of church.  If they can continue to operate among us and pretend to be part of the fellowship of New Testament Christians, unsuspecting brethren will be drawn into their congregations not knowing the vast differences in faith and practice the change agents are promoting.  They can take preaching jobs in unsuspecting congregations.  Under the cover of being a faithful member of the church of Christ they can undermine the faith of the members, subvert the leadership and capture the church for their new movement.

As to Bro. Shepherd and the Federal Census Bureau, no we don't need the government to appoint a brother for the task.  We just need discerning Christians to open their eyes, note the differences that are manifold and reject those who have forsaken the Bible way.

Yours in Christ,