BOOKS EVERY CHURCH LEADER SHOULD READ

An uninformed preacher or elder  is at best a weak leader. At worst, he can be dangerous in that he may inadvertently lead his people into destructive situations that he did not perceive as dangerous. Every preacher and elder needs to inform himself about the separation and division that occurred in our Restoration Movement at the opening of the 20th century. Today, the same scenario is being repeated.  Bro. Homer Hailey's excellent book, "Attitudes and Consequences of the Restoration Movement" identifies the attitudes that resulted in the departure that is now seen in the Disciples of Christ/Christian Churches.

A few years back James DeForrest Murch wrote a valuable history of the Restoration Movement entitled, "Christians Only." Being a prominent leader of the Independent Christian Churches, Much had a perspective that is especially valuable.  The following paragraph from his book contains a lesson every leader of our people needs to hear.

"Within the last generation the Church of Christ has made a phenomenal growth. This is due to two things: (1) Its people have stood like a Rock of Gibraltar for ‘the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,' amid the doubt and confusion superinduced by liberalism.  They have challenged the spirit of compromise and worldliness and dared to be a peculiar people' teaching and practicing what they believe is the Bible way of life. (2). They have come to realize that the silence of the Scriptures must be respected, but that obedience to its silences permits freedom of judgment and action" (p. 313).

Francis A. Schaeffer was a powerful conservative leader among the Presbyterians and other evangelical Protestants. He had a tremendous influence from the 1960s until his death. One of Dr. Schaeffer's most valuable books is entitled, "The Great Evangelical Disaster."   In it he demonstrates how conservative, Bible-believing churches have been infiltrated by and victimized by liberal theology; how that false system weaken their voices and divided their ranks. His analysis is a veritable profile of what is currently happening to Churches of Christ.  When you read his observations, just substitute the words, "Churches of Christ" for his term "evangelicals" and you will quickly see the pertinency of his points.

Only Hailey's book is still in print, but a good used book dealer can probably locate you a copy of the others. Also they could most likely be borrowed from the library of a Christian College.