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Letters to the Editor - July to September 2005
Reactions to issues of CHRISTIAN STANDARD from July through September 2005.
READERS' REACTIONS TO SEPTEMBER 25 ISSUE
A 'Compassionate, Caring Man'
(posted 9-28-05)
Thank you for the article “Heroes in Small Towns” by Paul S. Williams (September 25). I personally knew Vernon Russell; he was the pastor at Pine Lake Christian Church in Sebring, Ohio, until his passing. You really described Vernon to the letter! He was a very compassionate, caring man who always made time for his congregation no matter the time or the situation. Up until the end Vernon was still unselfishly giving his time to us and the Lord. We sadly miss this man who was our pastor, friend, our family.
Vernon loved the Lord and he made sure that everyone in our congregation knew that and showed us by example. Vernon will be sadly missed by all of us and I can’t wait until the day that I can rejoice in seeing him in Heaven with our Lord and Savior.
Vernon touched my life in more ways than you would give me space to write. So, again, thank you. You are right, “We need more leaders like Vernon, Barnabas-like workers who are the true backbone of Christ’s church.” Vernon will always have a special place in the heart of our congregation. Without Vernon and his wife, I may not have been led back to the Lord. God bless you!
—Melissa Whitacre
Alliance, Ohio
READERS' REACTIONS TO SEPTEMBER 11 ISSUE
Exercise Leadership Through Relationship
(posted 9-14-05)
I thoroughly enjoyed Eddie Lowen’s “Re-Respect Your Elders” (September 11). While visiting some struggling churches in Oregon recently, a group of elders told me: “A group of 20 members read in the by-laws how they can circumvent (or was it circumcise, as in Genesis 34!) the elders” and call for a vote of no confidence in the minister. The church of Jesus is not a democracy, nor it is a dictatorship with a domineering, ego-driven pastor.
Elders are spiritual parents/mentors/coaches, but as Hebrews 13:7 says, “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
The best way for an elder to exercise leadership is through the awesome power of relationship. When a pastor is met by a (fellow) elder who is deeply relational, and has taken time to spend time with the pastor, that pastor out of love listens carefully to the concerns of the elder. The same with the flock, when they sense they are deeply loved by the pastor/elders (Acts 20 synonyms), they are less likely to do an end run via the by-laws.
—Terrence O’Casey
Warrenton, Oregon
READERS' REACTIONS TO SEPTEMBER 4 ISSUE
Beautiful and Meaningful
(posted 9-21-05)
The “Dear Missionary” letter by Jon Weece (September 4) was so beautiful and meaningful, and I’ve read it over and over. My husband Bill and I served in Japan, where many of those primitive and dangerous conditions did not exist, but we felt many of the things that Jon wrote about among a people who don’t readily accept God’s word as an authority. We retired in 1992 because Bill had a stroke and was physically and emotionally unable to continue the somewhat stressful life that we led there. We are thankful that our son Tim and his family took up our tasks without missing a beat, as did a number of second-generation workers in Japan.
We hope that American Christians will take to heart Jon’s suggestions of how to help those on “the firing line” so to speak.
Thanks, Jon, for putting it so well!
—Betty (and Bill) Turner
Now retired in Florida
READERS' REACTIONS TO AUGUST 28 ISSUE
Immediately Delete It
(posted 9-7-05)
My thanks to Paul S. Williams for his excellent article “The Elephant in the Room” (August 28). Sex is a problem for everybody. May I make a suggestion? Whenever I speak on the ministry of the Holy Spirit I explain he lives in every Christian as a guest.
This is an awesome responsibility; he knows our thoughts. I believe there is an answer to the problem and it was given to us by Jesus. The answer is found in Mark 9:43-48 “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”
I have learned that the very moment tempation appears on the Internet, I immediately delete it.
Once you hit the check here for more button you are on a downward spiral to Hell.
One more suggestion, if you know a brother has fallen, pray for him that he has asked God for forgiveness. Don’t gossip; my 41 years as a Christian has often shown me that God forgives and there are too many Christians who don’t.
—Ben Alexander
St. Petersburg, Florida
'Buildings Say a Lot About Us'
(posted 9-2-05)
I was sure impressed with the contents of the August 28 issue of Christian Standard. Our buildings say a lot about us, don't they? I recently noticed a church in our brotherhood was spending $30 million on a building. I don't have the figures, but I wonder if all the churches of our brotherhood combined send $30 million to Africa, a continent where people are starving, dying because they have no medical care, and where Christians are being persecuted and even murdered. I wonder if we even think of them when we're playing in our air-conditioned gymnasiums or eating in our food courts or watching our beautiful indoor waterfalls? Yep, our buildings say a lot about us, don't they?
—Name withheld by request
Via e-mail
Church Is Planning Series About Sex
Thanks for the encouragement to talk about sex, Paul (“The Elephant in the Room” by Paul S. Williams, August 28)! We are certainly going to do that with our church and community. In October, we are beginning a series “Let’s Talk About Sex—Why Not? Everybody’s Doing It” based on Lauren Winner’s recent book Real Sex. We’re also sending out 39,000 mailers to the community to invite them to come. The mailer will hopefully look like something they would never expect from a church, and when (and if) they come, they will hear open, frank discussion on a smorgasboard of sexual topics—all from a Christian perspective. We’re praying for positive and effective results!
—Cody Moore
Denver, Colorado
Have We Lost Something?
(posted 8-26-05)
I was keenly interested in the August 28 issue of Christian Standard and the topic “What Does Your Building Say?” When we traveled behind the Iron Curtain we noticed that every church building we visited had a Bible verse on the front wall—beautifully and professionally done. We asked about it.
Someone told us that a man once said this: “When I go into a Catholic Church I see all those statues and I know what they believe. When I go into an Orthodox church I see all those pictures and I know what they believe. When I enter one of your churches I don’t see anything and I have no idea what you believe.” That’s when they started putting Bible verses on the wall.
It used to be in America that every building where a Christian church congregation worshiped had a theme. The minute you entered you saw a Communion table, a beautiful lectern with an open Bible on it, and a baptistry. You knew at once what those people believed. You knew that they valued the Lord’s Supper, the preaching of the Word, and baptism. In some of our newer buildings those items are not prominent, and in some they are not present at all. May we have lost something in the change?
—Robert C. Shannon
Valle Crucis, North Carolina
Another Lighthouse/Church Design Exists
(posted 8-26-05)
In response to the August 28 issue of Christian Standard regarding buildings, Roger Braley, a Connecticut architect, designed a church building modeled after the Thomas Point lighthouse near Annapolis, Maryland. As far as I know, the building was never built and the church went out of business, but Braley still has the drawings. Roger is grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Maden, early missionaries to Osaka, Japan.
(The building would seat 400 or more and has balcony space on five of eight sides, and space for 10 ranks of organ pipes. The building is a post and beam structure.)
—Bill Ware
Via e-mail
"In Praise of Wrath" Praised
(posted 8-22-05)
I was very much impressed with Tom Lawson’s article “In Praise Of Wrath” in the August 28 issue of the Christian Standard.
—Jack Spratt
Butler, Missouri
READERS' THOUGHTS ABOUT NACC REGIONAL CONFERENCES (AUGUST 21 ISSUE)
Treated Royally
(posted 9-7-05)
In regard to this year’s NACC, we had to make a choice, and we chose the Ministers/Spouse Retreat in Asheville, NC. We were not disappointed. It was truly a time of renewal and relaxation for us. The facilities were excellent, even with no television. The program was well planned and we were treated royally. Thank you for the special treatment and time focused on our marriage.
--Bill and Sandy Poling
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Pre-Convention Factors
(posted 8-31-05)
Your article about this year’s NACC (“Learning From the Regional Conference Experiment” by Mark Taylor, August 21) was very fair. I attended the Lexington event and missed the usual atmosphere of the convention.
Attendance would have to result, however, from things that happened before the event took place.
I can only conclude that they involve:
1. Cost
2. Lack of family events
3. The concept of a split convention.
Thanks for you article.
—David Pape
Manhattan, Kansas
A Great Ministers/Spouse Retreat
(posted 8-26-05)
In response to your August 21 editorial (“Learning From the Regional Conference Experiment”), I think you were probably pretty correct and forthright. Our people’s feet have spoken.
My only other comment would be this: as disappointed as (people) may have been with the regional conferences, my wife and I attended the Ministers/Wives retreat and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope we plan that again. We were challenged, edified, and encouraged as servants and, more importantly, as husband and wife.
—Chuck Emmert
Cass City, Michigan
For all letters related to Mark Taylor's August 21 editorial "Learning From the Regional Conference Experiment" about this year's NACC programs, click here.
Ecumenical Congregation in Calgary
(posted 10-5-05)
I have been reading CHRISTIAN STANDARD for many years and was delighted to see an issue spotlighting Canada (August 21).
I thought your readers might like to know that there is an ecumenical congregation, Disciples of Christ and United Church of Canada, serving the southwest part of the city of Calgary, Alberta, and that it has existed for more than 30 years.
Our minister is from the a cappella tradition. Our youth minister is a young man from Haiti who is studying at Alberta Bible College.
As Ron Fraser stated is his article, “The walls that have separated us continue to crumble.” Hallelujah!
If readers want to know more about this small, but active and growing songregation, visit our Web site at www.members.shaw.ca/csuc.
—Patricia Litke
Calgary, AB, Canada
Revisiting Keele Street
(posted 8-22-05)
It was so nice to receive the issue about Canada (August 21) in my e-mail. I spent 25 years in Toronto, most of it working with Keele Street Christian Church, and often felt we had been forgotten by our brethren to the south. In the April 29, 1990, issue Christian Standard carried an article about Keele Street entitled “A Hundred-Year-Old Church Faces the Changing City.” It was interesting to hear what was happening 15 years later in the articles by Russ Kuykendall and Jim Tune.
—Wray Graham
Memphis, Tennessee
READERS' REACTIONS TO AUGUST 14 ISSUE
No Biblical Case
(posted 9-2-05)
I was excited to see the theme of the August 14 issue of the CHRISTIAN STANDARD--"The Call." I read with interest the four articles on that subject. Although the anecdotal evidence was stirring, I was disappointed by the failure of any of the authors to establish a biblical case supporting a "call" to the preaching ministry. I was disappointed but not surprised. There are general admonitions in Scripture for all Christians to share the faith. However, I don't think there is a biblical case for the "call." I wish there were.
—Steve Jones
Oviedo, Florida
A Ministry of Love
(posted 8-17-05)
I’ve just finished reading “God’s Call” (August 14) from four perspectives. Honestly . . . humanly . . . I found myself saying, “I’m doing that;” “I feel just like that;” and, “I guess it must be right for me to go forward in my calling.”
I loved the quote by Kathleen Raine, ”Unless you see a thing in the light of love, you do not see it at all.” Thank you, Neal Windham, for clarifying the many styles of vision that can form a barrier to seeing well. Funny how what we see through tears has the most value! While each author had a uniquely personal perspective about being called, they all broadened my scope as I take baby steps toward a career calling I can’t seem to ignore.
Being a 63-year-old wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, in that order (Terrence O’Casey), I have a ministry of love! So why add one more? While I definitely feel called to yet another “place” (Alan Ahlgrim), I respect those family members who allow me to invest the love of Christ in their lives. Paul’s messages call us to balance knowing Christ in Philippians 3:10 and running the race with him, in Hebrews 12:1-3 (Robert Wetzel). Thank you for the sneak preview! The online newsletter is wonderful!
—Marilyn Tippett
Via e-mail
READERS' REACTIONS TO JULY 31 ISSUE
Torrance Isn't Like That
(posted 8-22-05)
I am writing in response to Michael D. Starks’s article about Torrance, California, in the July 31 issue of Christian Standard (“Church in the City 3: Better Than Oscar.”)
In paragraph two Mr. Starks writes, “Imagine a building in an inner-city project infested with gangs, a building with no hope, a community with low self-esteem, and schools with no vision, in a predominantly Hispanic, Afrocentric area.”
Paragraph three: “Hope has come to just such a community through the ministry of Greater First Christian Church, Torrance, California.”
My wife and I have lived in Torrance for 47 years and were charter members of the original church (Del Amo Christian Church) in the building referred to.
Torrance is nothing like it was presented by Stark in the article.
The building is in no way part of an inner-city project infested with gangs, or a building with no hope, nor a community with low self-esteem, nor schools with no vision. West High School (two blocks from the church) is one of the most prestigious high schools in the area.
The population is basically white with the next largest group being Asian.
I commend Mr. Starks for his work and the growth of the church, but I resent his misrepresentation of the condition of the area, community, schools, and the church building itself.
—Phillip Charnell
Torrance, California
Via e-mail
A Example from Boise
(posted 8-15-05)
Thank you for your issue on “Church in the City” (July 31). My experience indicates this is the wrong time to abandon the hearts of cities.
The Christian Church in Boise has ministered just four blocks from Idaho’s State Capitol Building since 1910. It is a grand “Akron Plan” building with three stories of fabulous stained glass. In its heyday, 1,000 worshipers would attend on Sundays. But attendance steadily dwindled until the remaining couple of dozen members voted to sell it in May 2004.
I thought that if such a witness in that government and business district was lost it might never be regained. I thought God might use my wife and me. We had ministered in Hong Kong for 18 years and stateside for 13 more. Two local churches agreed to provide us with enough to live on for one year (that year ended in August). During that time we led the congregation to disband and to incorporate anew as Capitol City Christian Church. God has blessed us. We have added more than one gifted, enthusiastic member a week since beginning this effort; about one-fourth of the new members have been added by baptism.
The “summer slump” month of July was among our best for attendance, as we averaged 102 in worship. Long-neglected building repairs have taken place. Five years of mortgage have been paid off, and the church is ready to take me on full-time, and a part-time youth intern as well.
—Gary D. Anderson
Boise, Idaho
Via e-mail
A Revealing Commentary
(posted 8-15-05)
The article “Tempest in a Coffee Shop” (by Brad Canning, July 31) is a revealing commentary on today’s “church culture.” It is not surprising that such an approach for “starting a church in Park Slope” (the author’s words) raised questions and created a controversy. What is “a church”? Today it is a place where people gather together for food, fun, and fellowship but is this New Testament Christianity? We no longer have Bible School we have ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) with more emphasis on fellowship than on the Bible.
Personally I find this new approach to church planting unethical, immoral, and contrary to biblical principles. We rationalize and justify our actions in many ways. In this instance, we justify evangelism by using the very same tactic employed by businesses everywhere. It is called “bait and switch.” Advertise and offer the customer a bargain or something to entice him into the store and then sell him something else. While this may not be false advertising as such, it certainly is deceitful as the New York Times reported. If selling coffee brings them in why not open a Hustler type store? This should really bring in the customers and the ones who probably need Jesus as much as anyone.
One more thought. Is this a “for-profit” coffee shop? If so, how long is it going to be before the IRS revokes the tax exemption that religious organizations/businesses now enjoy and take advantage of? Why not go into the world and preach the Good News to unbelievers by the words and deeds we profess to believe? That seems to be what Jesus commanded his followers to do—not invite them to a coffee shop or even to a building on Sunday morning.
—Ken Coyle
Mason, Ohio
Via e-mail
A Sad Commentary
(posted 8-15-05)
Attention pastors! My husband and I have been in the restaurant business for many years. We are both “preacher’s kids” and have had many opportunities over the years to share Christ with our staffs and to show people they are loved and cared for.
Unfortunately, we run into a common roadblock, specifically with “servers.” Servers are treated very poorly by the Christian community. In fact, it is VERY common for servers to request Sundays off because they want to avoid the “Christian” crowd.
Obviously this does not apply to everyone, but Christians are known for leaving terrible tips or no tips at all, while at the same time being very demanding, or high-maintenance. I’m not sure why this is the case, but it’s an issue we face on a weekly basis. Even worse, many people will even leave a tract instead of a tip. I’m sure it is because this is much more “valuable” than money.
I’m not sure what can really be done about this issue. Maybe it can be brought up at a community pastor’s breakfast or shared in staff meetings, etc.? Our community must understand that servers make their livings off their tips. This is how many support their families. Most sit-down restaurants pay their servers anywhere from $3 to $4 per hour, knowing that their income is derived mainly from their tips.
As Christians, our job is to first meet the physical needs and emotional needs of others before they will ever be willing to listen to us about the Lord. But all too often, Christians are turning others away with our stingy habits. How can we teach our Christian community to be generous and grateful to those who serve us?
I guess the bottom line is if you don’t have money to tip, you don’t have money to eat at a sit-down restaurant.
Thank you for your attention to this issue and for any help you can provide. When you think about it, servers/bartenders/busers, etc. make up a huge portion of our workforce. It’s a shame to think that such a generalization has been made by this group of people.
—Molly Richardson
Boise, Idaho
Via e-mail
'We Should All Set the Example'
(posted 8-25-05)
This letter is in response to Molly Richardson’s letter “A Sad Commentary” (above). I have heard the same type of comments before about Sunday Christians going out to eat and I am sure it is a problem. I make sure I leave a tip every time I eat out and try to stay around the 20 percent mark. The reason I try to leave a good tip is because of what little hourly pay servers get at restaurants. I think it is sad that restaurant owners expect the consumer to make up the difference in the pay they are not giving to their employees, especially when the markup on the food they serve is so high. As Christians we should all set the example as we eat out and leave the appropriate tip and be polite. But as Christian restaurant owners we should also set the example and pay our employees differently than the world.
—Scott Baker
Tallmadge, Ohio
Via e-mail
Thanks for Spotlighting Urban Ministries
(posted 8-15-05)
Thank you for dedicating an issue to the urban context (July 31)! It does the hearts of urban ministers everywhere good to see an awareness of our mission field raised.
—Cody Moore
Denver, Colorado
Via e-mail
READERS' REACTIONS TO JULY 24 ISSUE
One Family's Story
(posted 8-17-05)
I read with great interest in your magazine the article “How to Help Families Dealing With Disabilities” by Jim Pierson (July 24).
Perhaps one word that truly gives understanding to support a family is sensitivity. Knowing how to encourage a disabled person by saying the right words to help one with a forever changed life keep pace can be difficult. Certainly Jesus was sensitive to the family of a person with a disability. Quality care can be expensive, but in a greater sense it is receiving a ministering of warm concern. Jesus expressed a genuine interest and conveyed the message that a disability condition was not due to either sin or that of family members.
My mother, a retired teacher, has dealt with a disability and confinement to a wheelchair since 1984. Circumstances created by Mom’s illness, financial strains, and long recovery in health care facilities was most stressful for Mom and our family. As a family we all knew pain, worry, fear, grief, and often a lack of hope.
Following a year away from home, we prayed for Mom to learn acceptance of a forever changed life as she returned home. We observed our dad—once a strong healthy man—continue to grieve with a profound sadness too deep to comprehend. Life for our father was also forever changed as Dad’s sensitivity to Mom’s life-threatening sickness was a helplessness of which Dad never recovered. In the end, Mom slowly took charge and bravely developed skills necessary for adapting to life in a wheelchair.
Mom was a survivor putting forth effort to carry on, but we lost our father who did not survive Mom’s sickness and changed life.
I appreciated your article.
—Gwen Pfitzner
Camdenton, Missouri
A True Soul-Winner
(posted 7-18-05)
What a pleasant surprise to open your July 24 edition and see the article by Fred Wikoff on the ministry at Garden Way Church to those with disabilities (“We Invite Them as Equals”). David Mulkey, who is the driving force behind this ministry, is my daughter-in-law’s father and a true soul-winner. Mulkey comes from a long line of Christian church preachers, the most notable being John Mulkey (1773–1844) who brought more members into the fledgling Stone-Campbell union in 1809 than any other single individual. John Mulkey’s descendents were early pioneers to Oregon, and David Mulkey continues the tradition of reaching out to the lost.
—Larry Woodard
Meridian, Idaho
Via e-mail
READERS' REACTIONS TO JULY 17 ISSUE
"Maybe That's Part of the Problem"
(posted 8-17-05)
Regarding the Seen & Heard item that started, “It’s a Rick Warren world among church leaders . . . ” (July 17). It stated, “One of every five senior pastors (21 percent) named The Purpose-Driven Life as one of the most helpful books they read in the last three years.” Maybe that’s part of the problem we’re seeing in the church today. Too many people reading Rick Warren instead of the Bible! How sad!
But it also helps me to understand why our family had to leave a Restoration Christian church a little over a year ago. The mission statement of your magazine states: “Devoted to the restoration of New Testament Christianity, its doctrine, its ordinances, and its fruits.” The church we attended also claimed to embrace a similar mission statement, while at the same time clamoring to model themselves after the ministries of Rick Warren and Bill Hybels. When I attempted to discuss some doctrinal points with two different elders, one told me: “We don’t discuss doctrine here . . . it’s too divisive.” The other quipped: “Who the h*** cares?” So much for devotion to doctrine.
We now attend a church that has a high view of God, Scripture, and Christ’s mandate to “go and make disciples.” They also have no intention of bringing in anything connected with the “Purpose Driven” movement. Why? Because they’ve already figured out the church’s purpose—they read it in the Bible.
—Keith Whitfield
Tulsa, Oklahoma
One Additional 'Preacher Shortage' Suggestion
(posted 7-22-05)
In “How You Can Help the Preacher Shortage” (July 17) Phyllis Fox had a number of great ideas. I would add just one. For a number of years I served on the regents and as a trustee of Dallas Christian College. In some troublesome years in the 1980s the question was asked in the trustee meeting, “How can we reach our youth, and get them to consider Christian ministry?” Several of us suggested that senior ministers needed to take part in the summer camp programs. We hit a brick wall in the group; several trustees said, “If my church insisted I go to camp, I would resign.”
In one way or another, our senior ministers need to be at least a speaker for one or two sessions at our camp programs. I believe, even better, they should be the deans and/or main teachers. The action between minister and student at camp cannot be replicated in a short Bible school or youth lesson back home. The plus is the free time to just sit and share dreams of the kingdom. I believe in this because I practice it; at 71, I just finished being dean and morning teacher at our teen camp in the mountains. I was also the evangelist for our junior age camp. The exchange of ideas and goals was as real, the excitement of kids turning to Jesus as heart warming, as when I was 20.
—Herb Pinney
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Via e-mail
READERS' REACTIONS TO JULY 10 ISSUE
It Has Been "Right"
(posted 9-27-05)
I appreciated what Leroy Lawson had to say in “Reflections of Two Vagabonds” (Part 1, July 3; Part 2, July 10). I agree. God-given spiritual gifts should be used to build up the body of Christ, whether man, woman, or child. If God gives the gift, would he not expect it to be used? Personally, I would not want to be the one to prohibit the use of anyone’s spiritual gifts. If God does not want a person to preach, why would he call him or her? I had been a working member and officer of my home church for 33 years when the church ordained me and called me on staff. My wife and I started years earlier as high school teachers—our first adult assignment—and we worked together as youth sponsors and teachers for many years. Our seminary training is very similar. She has skills I don’t possess and has complemented my ministry. By choice, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I can’t speak for others, but for my wife and myself, it has been “right.” We both sense a call to the ministry, and since her ordination in 1986, we have shared the full ministry. She preaches every other week, we officiate together for weddings and funerals, and most of our counseling is done jointly. We served one church for more than 14 years and then retired. Later, we had a joint interim ministry in another church for 23 months. And now, as of September 1, 2005, we are back for another interim ministry at our original church. I was glad to read about the two vagabonds’ conclusion. I believe they are right. I also had one of our prominent Bible college presidents tell me about 15 years ago that he thought team ministries might be the wave of the future in our churches. If so, it’s been a long time coming.
—Adrian Burd
Our joint ministry would not have been possible without the encouragement of my husband and the churches where we have ministered. Along with thanking God for opportunities provided me—I thank them!
—Evelyn Burd
Lewiston, Idaho
Via e-mail
Cachiaras Right on Target
(posted 7-15-05)
Ben Cachiaras’ father would be proud to give an “Amen!” to Ben’s article “What Is Truth?” in the July 10 Christian Standard.
Put plainly and undeniably, Ben speaks what the church and the leadership need to concentrate on today, instead of “how can I (we) satisfy the five senses?”
Thank you Ben and Christian Standard and your parents who taught you so well!
—Dan Brossman
Lander, Wyoming
On Target
(posted 7-12-05)
Rick Chromey’s “The Changing Church” (July 10) is right on target. Like articles in previous issues, relationships are the key to reaching the lost with the gospel message. When we speak in “Christian-ese,” the unchurched have no idea what we’re trying to say. Whether God exists or not is not relevant to their life. The message must never be changed, but our methods of communicating it must be constantly changing.
—Tom Burbrink
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Via e-mail
God's Message Transcends All Cultures
(posted 7-12-05)
Seems like Rick Chromey is saying that culture trumps Scripture (“The Changing Church,” July 10). When and from where did we get this idea? It has been permeating almost everything in American Evangelicalism for about five years now. The credo is basically: “The church must be relevant to the culture to survive.” There is a huge but subtle problem though . . . God never said this! Was Christ relevant to his culture? Were the apostles relevant to the Roman/Greek culture of their day? Somebody will probably quote 1 Corinthians where Paul talks about becoming all things to all men that by all means he might win some. But the context of this is quite the opposite of what we are arguing. This is a statment of cultural IRRELEVENCE! Paul didn’t care what culture or nation you were from (Jew, Greek, Barbarian, etc.); his message transcended all of them.
Here is my problem with this new “culturally relevant” push in Christendom: When we try to be culturally relevant we end up becoming irrelevant because we focus on externals. Think of all the books and commentators who try to “culturalize” certain Scriptures they find troubling. The end result is always to degrade the Word of God. Are we Christians? Do we believe in the Word of God? If we do then that belief must be foundational, not secondary. God is not in the dock. We are. Our culture isn’t the universal first cause. The Word of God is; “In the beginning was the Word. . . .” It doesn’t say that in the beginning was the Bill of Rights, or postmodernism, or American Evangelicalism, or any other man entity. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God! This is the foundation for life, ministry, church growth, relevancy, and especially CULTURE! When we realize this we will begin to be relevant in the eyes of the one we should be most concerned about . . . God.
—Nathan Brunaugh
Elkville, Illinois
Via e-mail
READERS' REACTIONS TO JULY 3 ISSUE
An Exciting Report
(posted 7-5-05)
Thank you, LeRoy Lawson, for your scintillating and exciting report of your recent travels (“Reflections of Two Vagabonds [Part 1],” July 3). I am one of those Church of God (Anderson) people who takes great delight in our cooperating in the gospel and in reading the obvious progress of the Restoration Movement. I eagerly await Part 2 of your report. After 50 four years in ministry, I would like to enlist for a second hitch. Peace and grace.
—Wayne M. Warner
Battle Creek, Michigan
Via e-mail
Will They Meet the Same Fate?
(posted 7-6-05)
Brother Lowen, you did a good job defending the large church (“Megachurches and Their Leaders—Big and Bad?” July 3), but your reminder that the church began “mega” (3,000 on Pentecost), left me wondering if God may not allow today’s megachurches to meet the same fate that one did. Can there be something prophetic in Acts 8:1-4?
—William Pile
Los Angeles, California
Via e-mail
"I Certainly Hope So"
(posted 7-14-05)
My friend, William Pile, wonders if “God may not allow today’s megachurches to meet the same fate that (the 3,000 at Pentecost) did." He asks, "Can there be something prophetic in Acts 8:1-4.” After reading the balance of Acts 8 with its recounting of what happened after Acts 8:1-4, I would certainly hope so.
—George Timm
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Via e-mail
Appreciated Editorial
(posted 7-6-05)
Just a note to say how much I appreciate your unswerving biblical stand in your editoral, “Looking Again at the Badge of ‘Big,’” (by Mark Taylor, July 3). God has put you in a key place for the good of our blessed movement. Keep up your outstanding work!
—C. Larry Stiles
Erlanger, Kentucky
Via e-mail
Hopeful Megachurch Growth Continues
(posted 7-5-05)
Three cheers for the megachurch. I’m thankful to know hundreds, thousands, are coming to Christ here in North America and around the world. Didn’t Jesus tell us to go and make disciples—and isn’t it also true if we do that, and God bless, they will “add up after a while”?
Who are we to judge other servants of the Lord? We each will stand and give account to our Master! I must be faithful with my one or two talents and cheer on these five-talent folks. Just because I can’t dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I have to put down those who can—man, I love to watch those guys fly! Most cities or regions in that list could have 10 times the number of megachurches in that same area and there would still be lost people who need to be sought and found.
I attended a “growing” church in Virginia Beach in the early 1970s that was noted for reaching nearly 300 in weekend attendance; the Virginia church was featured in the Standard back in the day with another growing church—Southland Christian in Lexington, Kentucky. I am thrilled to see the way God has used Southland to reach thousands and impact even more around the world. Having been privileged to be in Lexington at one point in my life, I am grateful for God’s blessing to them as well as these other churches. My home church has struggled for the past 30 years and is only a shell of that once great potential.
Don’t fret publishing that list. Personally, I hope it eventually takes up a whole issue!
I was also glad to see Reggie Epps and Johnson County on that list—Reggie led Mount Pleasant in Indiana to great heights and now is doing more of the same in his old hometown. Awesome! Look, one plants, another waters, and God gives the increase. God has arranged the parts of the body as He sees fit. Who are we to get caught up in anything other than pleasing him with our lives?
Finally, I always thought my college classmate, Eddie Lowen, looked more like Jude Law; to me, Bob Russell is more of a Robert Redford.
—Doug Carter
Peoria, Arizona
Via e-mail
For more letters to the editor about megachurches, click here
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
Eagerly Anticipates Each New Edition
(posted 9-30-05)
I am a 35-year-old minister who in my post-college days used to consider the CHRISTIAN STANDARD an antiquated publication geared exclusively toward card-carrying members of the AARP. While I am certain my former opinion of your periodical was not altogether accurate, it was nonetheless strong. My young ministry colleagues and I would pass over the STANDARD in favor of more seemingly relevant material for our generation.
To be sure, I am a little older and possibly a little wiser than I was then, but this accounts for only a small percentage of my transformation. Your creative cover designs, relevant articles, impacting themes, and wider audience appeal has made me a convert. Whereas I once relegated the STANDARD to the dusty shelves of the senior saints, I now find myself eagerly anticipating the next edition.
Keep up the great work!
—Sean K. Kidd
Buchanan, Michigan
Two Main Problems With Anti-Potter Letters
(posted 9-28-05)
I believe that most anti-Harry Potter writers are making the following two mistakes in their arguments. (Click here to read all Harry Potter letters; click here to read the article, "Thank God for Harry Potter" by James F. Sennett.)
1. The false analagy. For example, equating the reading of the literary genre of fantasy fiction (such as Harry Potter) to looking at pornography. The Bible condemns practicing witchcraft, not reading about it. I assume we’re all aware that the Bible itself has a “witch story” in it (1 Samuel 28). Has everyone who has read that story committed a sin? Obviously not. Whereas, by definition, a man looking at pornography is a man committing the sin of lust. The two are not analagous.
2. The false continuum/slippery slope. The argument here is that reading about wizards in Harry Potter will lead to our children practicing wizardry and witchcraft. Probably not. Just as their taking baby aspirin doesn’t necessarily lead to drug abuse and giving them a spanking doesn’t necessarily lead to physical abuse. The fact is that the Potter books have been out for years now and there has been no explosion of Satan-worship that I’m aware of. How about you?
Finally, I think all the hullabaloo about Harry Potter is misplaced. The book we should be arming ourselves for is The Da Vinci Code (see the June 12, 19, and 26 issues of CHRISTIAN STANDARD for a three-part series related to claims made in the book). That book, unlike Harry Potter, is doing real damage to the faith of ill-equipped believers as well as the receptivity of unbelievers. I’m in the process of preparing a sermon series to counter the point of view in this book and will publish them on my Web site (www.sermon-source.com). The Da Vince Code movie will be released next May and America is going to see it (including our churches). Let’s be ready.
—Steve Jones
Oviedo, Florida
It Was Devastating, But Good for Me
(posted 9-14-05)
“Called before the elders.” Do you know what this term means? Well, let me enlighten you. When my husband began the ministry some 60 years ago, this was a term frequently used in the churches. In our first ministry (when I was barely 18), I got “called before the elders” because on a sunny Sunday afternoon I had gone bicycle riding with the young people of the church. The second time I had this happen to me was when I wore bobby socks to the Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meeting.
Now, you may think this is ludicrous, but to me it was devastating. But it was also very good for me. It has served me well through my adult Christian life. To this day, I have a very deep respect for the office of the elder. When I look back on my life as a minister’s wife, I feel these early lessons that were taught to me have had a huge influence on my life, on the teaching of my children, and the teaching of women’s classes. I realize every elder I have known over the years has not necessarily been a man I could look up to, but I have always respected the office of the elder.
I do wonder sometimes, if the men who serve as elders actually do the job of elders? Or do they make excellent deacons? Do they have the courage to address a real problem in the church? Or are they just nice men who wouldn’t hurt a fly? The word “respect” means to treat with special consideration or high regard and high esteem. Let’s allow the elders to rule the flock well.
—Leta Whitford
Bandon, Oregon
'With You in the Lord'
(posted 9-7-05)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in America: Love and greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is just to let you know that all the coworkers of Central India Christian Mission and the churches planted by this mission are praying specifically for your country. We are praying for the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. We know that the soldiers need our prayers for strength, endurance and safety.
Second, we have heard about the natural disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina. Please know that we are with you in the Lord, from our hearts and in our prayers.
We have sent this message to thousands of our prayer warriors in India to join together with us in prayer. We feel this deeply as we are one body in our Lord Jesus Christ.
May God bless all of you.
—Ajai and Indu Lall with the CICM Team
Via e-mail
Are Divorce Rates Rising Among Christians?
(posted 9-7-05)
I have a concern that has been burdening me for some time. For the past year or so, many within church leadership have been getting more politically involved in lobbying for amendments to block same-sex marriages. God bless their efforts. But at the same time, I have seen and heard of a rising number of married couples (males/females) who have divorced or are in the process of getting divorced. I know many of these couples personally. Some of them are fellow alumnus of mine from Ozark Christian College and went into the full-time ministry. And, now they are no longer in Christian service and are divorced from one another.
Back in 1983 during my junior year at Ozark, I took a class called New Testament Ethics. One class project had students form four-person panels. Each panel was to select a subject from an assigned list, research it, and then present the information. One panel took the topic, “Divorce and Remarriage.” On the day of that presentation it was stated that approximately half of the divorces in this country have occurred within the church.
My concern is this: with all of this focus on the same-sex marriage issue, has anyone taken a strong, hard look at the numbers of couples who have thrown in the towel and jumped ship of their marriage for every little pity issue? I would like to see Standard Publishing address this issue and present the numbers/percentages today. One factor that burdens me is this: should we expect to help clean the world if we have not first cleaned up our own house?
—Stanley N. Cole
Via e-mail
Pertinent and Useful
(posted 8-18-05)
I enjoy the regular subscription coming in the post, even if it takes a long time to travel to Australia.
My connections go back to the early 1960s, and my contact with James Grogg during the process of obtaining the Australian reprint rights for Standard Graded for Growth Sunday School lesson materials.
However, I enjoy receiving the Christian Standard on e-mail.
I write to commend the column by Paul S. Williams “To Illustrate” and also “Seen and Heard.”
I have found both to be pertinent in their intent and containing useful information for me.
—Bruce Armstrong
Via e-mail
Discipleship Should Be in Top 10
(posted 7-15-05)
Many so-called Christians are not very interested in being Christian (doers). They are more interested in being entertained. That is why praise bands are so popular. Hearers of the MP3 message worship to feel good rather than having to undergo the tedious and boring knowing, learning, and (“God-forbid”) obeying God’s Word part of worship.
Discipleship doesn’t even come in the top 10 list for important spiritual matters anymore.
—Alan Kirkpatrick
Via e-mail
Kudos to CHRISTIAN STANDARD's Online Efforts
(posted 7-5-05)
Though it has taken a few years, effort, time, and money, the CHRISTIAN STANDARD online is a good representative publication, not only for your company, but also as an upfront publication for the Restoration Church movement.
Having compiled and maintained our church’s Web site for seven years, I’m somewhat acquainted with the work involved in keeping such electronic publications up to date. An accurate perception of reality is that it’s a new electronic mission work.
I enjoy receiving your weekly bulletin, and I have little doubt but what you will see enormous growth as more folk get online and become aware of your publication.
The possibilities of such electronic bulletins are endless. Perhaps you may want to ask one of your writers to prepare a manuscript on how churches—those already online and using e-mail bulletins to inform their membership—are either meeting with success or failing in such efforts.
Your work is much appreciated!
—Merlin Wright
Wayne, Nebraska
Discipleship Should Be in Top 10
(posted 7-15-05)
Many so-called Christians are not very interested in being Christian (doers). They are more interested in being entertained. That is why praise bands are so popular. Hearers of the MP3 message worship to feel good rather than having to undergo the tedious and boring knowing, learning, and (“God-forbid”) obeying God’s Word part of worship.
Discipleship doesn’t even come in the top 10 list for important spiritual matters anymore.
—Alan Kirkpatrick
Via e-mail
Kudos to CHRISTIAN STANDARD's Online Efforts
(posted 7-5-05)
Though it has taken a few years, effort, time, and money, the CHRISTIAN STANDARD online is a good representative publication, not only for your company, but also as an upfront publication for the Restoration Church movement.
Having compiled and maintained our church’s Web site for seven years, I’m somewhat acquainted with the work involved in keeping such electronic publications up to date. An accurate perception of reality is that it’s a new electronic mission work.
I enjoy receiving your weekly bulletin, and I have little doubt but what you will see enormous growth as more folk get online and become aware of your publication.
The possibilities of such electronic bulletins are endless. Perhaps you may want to ask one of your writers to prepare a manuscript on how churches—those already online and using e-mail bulletins to inform their membership—are either meeting with success or failing in such efforts.
Your work is much appreciated!
—Merlin Wright
Wayne, Nebraska
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