Joe Beam: What's Happening Today in Churches of Christ

[WesWoodell]

I thought you all might find this interesting.

This is a rather long article, but well worth the read if you're interested in what's going on in Church of Christ circles today. It will take three posts for all of it.

[edit] Instead of posting all of it you can go to the website and read. Here's a link: http://www.gracecentered.com/what_is_happening_to_churches_of_Christ.htm


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/WesWoodell/church_of_Christ_state.gif

[WesWoodell]

~snip~

[WesWoodell]

~snip~

So - what do you think? Have you noticed how (according to Joe) not a single one of these groups are focused on outreach and evangelism?

[Frame1520]

Boy, if that is true, than it is a sad commentary on that state of the church. I've had similar experience with outreach. A lot of comfort comes when there is no outreach. Too many people like the church to remain small, or for whatever reason don't feel that outreach events to the community are not worthwhile because they are "not scriptural".

For instance, I've been heading up a community outreach "fest" the past three years, with a picnic, kids games, rides, christian music, etc. There are some people who view this as not necessary or not biblical, therefore since they didn't do it in the bible, we should not do it to reach people. Same thing with advertising. Why mail out mailings to the community? Why not just "preach the bible" and have a "good old fashioned revivial?" That would draw people in. Mailings are just giving in to post modernism! Really, I've heard these things said, and could not disagree more. I'm not sure where I fit in Joe Beams charts, but in any event, if his article has any truth to it, then yes it is very sad indeed.

Wes, can I get a full copy of this? I'd like to send it on to some people.

[Mrs. Enigma]

I did not read the whole thing, but it looked interesting. I think the author appears to have done a good job of explaining some people's philosophies and feelings.

[MrJim]

What a mess! That same matrix could have been used in the Mennonite Church in the 60's & 70's when the charismatic movement wreaked havoc across that body. Guess it can be used anywhere-the elements are not unique to coC.

Sorta hoped the restoration mvmt was a bit more unified than what Mr Beam has explained here:doh: .

Looks the same as the "denominational" churches. They have all the same left/right elements, same factioned printing houses, very same issues.

same old same old:sigh: :sick:

[WesWoodell]

Yep. :|

Unfortunantly.

[MrJim]

Yep. :|

Unfortunantly.

:sigh:

SO the bottom line is that there really isn't a hill of beans difference between the "restoration mvmt" and the denominations other than:

1. You don't have an "official" central organization
2. Doctrinal distinctives

Same issues, same problems, same challenges, same not getting along with your brother because blah blah...

Guess I hoped this part of the church would be a little different than past experiences.

:cry:

[Frame1520]

People will be people no matter what church they are a part of. It's just a matter of making sure that the people on the fringes don't rule over the rest of the church. How do you do that? I'm still trying to figure it out!

[leesw]

You probably should cite where you got that article. It's not right to list it without giving credit to the website it is on.

[leesw]

The original source of this article is at http://www.gracecentered.com/what_is_happening_to_churches_of_Christ.htm

[ParsonJefferson]

:sigh:

SO the bottom line is that there really isn't a hill of beans difference between the "restoration mvmt" and the denominations other than:

1. You don't have an "official" central organization
2. Doctrinal distinctives

Same issues, same problems, same challenges, same not getting along with your brother because blah blah...

Guess I hoped this part of the church would be a little different than past experiences.

:cry:
My experience has been that people screw things up all the time - regardless of where you're going to church.

Yes, correct doctrine should be taught and preached. No doubt.
The love and grace of Christ should be modelled. No doubt.

But that won't make for a perfect church, because people will still be people.

[JDIBe]

I'm not a prophet, just an observer. Division is already occurring and will be very pronounced within 3 to 8 years unless wise leaders in the Traditional churches disregard Zealots.
Neither the Opens, Cautious, or Satisfieds are driving this division; Zealots are.

-Joe Beam



Yeah, we get what he's saying. Become more like us or the church will split....^_^

It takes two to fight. It comes from both sides. Check this board. Aren't there at least as many posters disparaging conservative Christians and churches as liberal ones? One can be "liberal" and judgemental as well as "conservative" and judgemental too.

I can offer a simpler, more general model than that. (At least for churches in the US.)

I think the current friction is more GENERATIONAL than anything. The Baby Boomers are now becoming old enough to take over leadership from their fathers. Within this transition period you will have clashes between one generation that uses "Follow the Old Paths" as it's mantra with one that marches under the banner, "You can't work your way to Heaven."

Now obviously this is painting with a very broad brush, and just based on my experiences, so I would like to hear other people's opinion on the subject. But every time I can think of a split within churches I have been closely associated with, it was always the 40-50's group that left. Interestingly enough, the group just behind them always stayed with the older people.

I think you will see a general move to the left in the next 15 years, followed by a move back right after that. The generation under me, I can't quite peg yet. I'd like to hear from someone that age who has an idea what is going on with them and how they perceive things.

But yes, Wes your observation is very perceptive. The less we focus outward, more infighting will occur. Busy people don't have time to fight...:)

[AJB4]

I don't see where the big surprise is. Of course it's getting divided. It was going to happen sooner or later, wasn't it?

[InServicetoGod]

[quote=WesWoodell;23567630]

Conclusions


Neither the Opens, Cautious, or Satisfieds are driving this division; Zealots are. They accomplish it through their continually tightening rules of fellowship that Satisfieds are accepting. They will never see that but will believe the split was caused by the Opens who led their churches to become Innovative.
Our greatest enemy isn't going beyond clear New Testament doctrine. It is making laws where God never did and chaining our great brotherhood from its task by those laws.

The End.

-Joe Beam


Well, I can see some truth OK A lot of Truth in this line of thinking

My own experiences with a COC group that would fall into the zealot/intolerant/exclusive/right wing left a really sour taste in my mouth. Even when I am approached by good people like Wes or even the few COC people I met last weekend (who were loving kind people) I tend to back away because I had so many bad experiences.

As for my involvement woth the RM, the Christian church I attend on occasion (We use instruments, have a kitchen etc and are not a disciples of Christ church) does consider itself part of the RM but more moderate than the zealot/right wing thinking I encountered in a COC. THe whole feel is just more laid back and calm, which I need at times

Having Zeal for something is good, but when it works to turn people against what you are teaching, or even turn people against GOD, well, then the zeal is certainly misplaced..........

Some congregations need to realize that they are not just alienating a whole community of believers, but themseves as well......

(Perhaps that is where the allegations of the COC being a "Cult" come in)

[WesWoodell]

You probably should cite where you got that article. It's not right to list it without giving credit to the website it is on.

Sorry. When I posted this article I thought it was against the rules to link to other sites.

Apparentely its ok now (it didn't used to be).

All fixed.

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

(Perhaps that is where the allegations of the COC being a "Cult" come in)
The allegations of that usually come from the ICOC (a denomination) and not the CoC as we know it. Most people don't even realize there is a difference between the ICoC, CoC, and UCoC.