I need help...

[lovesdolphins]

I'm a Christian that attends a local church of Christ, and have for my entire life. I grew up in what is called a 'liberal', or 'institutional' church. When I met my husband he's what I knew as an 'anti', and since we started dating I attended church with him. While we were dating we went to my church on Sunday nights, but on Sunday mornings we went to his 'anti' church.
Now we solely attend an 'anti' church. I guess my question is, I can't seem to find others that appear to follow the strict 'anti' beliefs.

[NeedingPrayersDaily]

what is "anti" ?

[annie1speed]

It's short for anticooperation. They don't coordinate ministry with other congregations like orphan homes, missionary support and trips. That sort of thing. Usually they are more of a conservative bent. That's what I know. Am I right dolphin chick?

Dolphin, are you saying you can't seem to find anyone in the congregation that follows the strict anti beliefs or on the forum? ... or in the world?

[lovesdolphins]

It's short for anticooperation. They don't coordinate ministry with other congregations like orphan homes, missionary support and trips. That sort of thing. Usually they are more of a conservative bent. That's what I know. Am I right dolphin chick?

Dolphin, are you saying you can't seem to find anyone in the congregation that follows the strict anti beliefs or on the forum? ... or in the world?

Actually though, I think it means 'anti-institutions' - basically we don't use church funds for institutions, like orphan homes, fellowship halls, etc. - One thing that I mis-understood about 'antis' growing up were that they didn't support missionaries, and that is far from the truth. Basically we support our own missionaries, we do not use 'missionary societies'. To be honest, I didn't know what a missionary society was either - basically it's where a group of churches put money into a single fund to support a single missionary, or a group of missionaries. We do not do that - missionaries ask for support from individual churches, and it's up to the elders in that particular church to decide if the church is going to support them or not.

- I was saying that I could not find 'anti's on this forum.

[WesWoodell]

I'm not aware of any others here that hold to that belief system on this forum.

Antis are a very small minority among Churches of Christ, and you'll probably find yourself reflecting that here.

[annie1speed]

Hey There, :wave:

That doesn't mean you have to go though - you can still stay. Right folks?:hug:

Annie

[crawfish]

I grew up with a lot of "anti's", through my grandparents. It's no surprise you'd find few on an open board like this. :)

In their town one year, a tornado blew through and destroyed a neighborhood. Every church in town went together to help them out, except for the "anti's", who ended up just helping the two of their members who were affected. I was never so humiliated to be connected to a church in my life.

I understand the point, but too often it gets in the way of doing good works, and the message sent is a loud and clear "stay away".

[lovesdolphins]

That does sound awful - but do you know that the members of that church didn't do anything to help other people in community?

Point being - the church helped the church members, but individuals could help other individuals.

Anyway - I'm new to this whole idea myself, and I do question it - but for the (uggh, can't think of the word...):scratch: sanity/continuation of our marriage, and also to follow what the bible teaches, I submit to my husband, and attend church with him. We agree in all other parts of the bible, I'm just not sure that what I grew up doing, and what my parents and other family/friends etc do is particularly sinful.

[WesWoodell]

That's probably because its not.

[fishon]

As a Church of Christ pastor, I can only say, I am glad the "Good Samaritian" was NOT "anti."
fishon

[lovesdolphins]

As a Church of Christ pastor, I can only say, I am glad the "Good Samaritian" was NOT "anti."
fishon
I'm surprised that you call yourself a 'pastor' - I've never heard a church of Christ preacher call himself that.

The good Samaritan did that on his own - it wasn't a work of the church.

[crawfish]

That does sound awful - but do you know that the members of that church didn't do anything to help other people in community?

Point being - the church helped the church members, but individuals could help other individuals.

Anyway - I'm new to this whole idea myself, and I do question it - but for the (uggh, can't think of the word...):scratch: sanity/continuation of our marriage, and also to follow what the bible teaches, I submit to my husband, and attend church with him. We agree in all other parts of the bible, I'm just not sure that what I grew up doing, and what my parents and other family/friends etc do is particularly sinful.
The problem, in my eyes, is the message it sent to the community. I also doubt that anybody who was helped who found themselves looking for the Lord showed up at their little congregation.

I don't like the idea of a church giving to an organization that, in turn, wields power and influence over the local church. I think that was the original point. But to refuse to give for a cause just because they didn't start it seems very counterproductive and, to be quite frank,
un-Christ-like.

[Lightbearer3]

Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself....is A Command...maybe Would Should All "ante" Up And Just Do That...how Can We Lose? It's A Straight Flush Waiting To Happen....as We Sow, So Shall We Also Reap....so ante-up!

[spiritfilledjm]

My Father-in-law stopped believing in the manifest gifts of the Holy Spirit to save his marriage. I don't think it was right what he did but another thing he did was convinced himself that the manifested gifts of the Holy Spirit were no longer existant. There were other things but that's the main thing.

[KristaRae]

You know, I think "anti" covers a broad range of people. Some are "one cuppers", some don't believe in Bible class, some don't believe in eating in the building... the list goes on. But I don't think any of them actually believe the whole list of "anti attributes". Does that make sense? That's what I've always thought at least.

[DanielRB]

Hi Folks, :wave:

I can understand the "anti" position, although I don't agree with it, in regards to setting up different co-operative organizations other than the local congregation. I can't see, though, why this position would lead a congregation to not help people in need outside of their own congregation. I can understand why they wouldn't join a co-operative effort, but to actually not help people in need??? That just doesn't make sense to me.

And yes, Lovesdolphins, please feel free to stay! :)

In Christ,

Daniel