Christian Forums and Message Board

When I use the term mainstream I am speaking of the mass that lies between the NI and the wild-eyed liberals.

The mean of NI congregations use the hermenutic of command, example and a very light dusting of inference. Silence is prohibition.

The mean of the wild-eyed liberals use command, example, a light dusting of inference and silence is liberty to act.

The mean of the mainstream use command, example, and rely heavily upon inference. Silence generally equals prohibition or at least treading lightly but they are far more likely to work up an inference to cover whatever they wish to undertake. We tend to not see them as being quite as legalistic as the NI but from a theory of hermenutics standpoint they are the most legalistic of our brotherhood because much of their theology is descended from the principles of rabbinical interpretation.

There may be no one else here who sees the "mainstream" that way but it is what I mean when I speak of them.

I can't say I agree.  If this happens, families will be torn apart.  Division will increase.  Unity will suffer another blow.

While I can't force anyone to fellowship with me, I also can't see taking steps that will sever whatever fellowship exists.  If he takes the steps, I can't prevent it.  If I take the steps, however, I will bear some of the responsibility.

I'm not talking about changing signs per se.  I have no problem with that (believe it or not, our wavering little congregation has even toyed around with the "family of God" label at times).  What I am talking about is saying that I will change the name not to become more open to the community and to open up fellowship with churches of different persuasions, but in order to form a separate identity which then becomes, in essence, a separate denomination.

I think we give the "brotherhood papers" too much credit. I honestly don't believe they have the clout among the general members of the Church of Christ they get credit for having.  I believe their goal is to force a split (thus the mass mailings and the demand that everyone choose sides).  I don't believe that this would serve the cause of unity.

The winds of change have been blowing for only a short time.  Change is not a fast, seismic event.  It is often glacial, even. At whatever speed change moves, it is a painful event.  I believe that God is working to change the Churches of Christ.  If those who are open to his voice leave, who will be left to effect the change?

Years ago when I was in Erie, Pa. there was a "mainline" church in the area that went to great pains not to be confused with any other group, so someone told me (cannot verify) that they took out an ad in the Yellow Pages that read something like this:
  CHURCH OF CHRIST
  Vocal music only
  Supports Herald of Truth and Orphan Homes
  Multiple cups at communion
  Sunday School available

Let's see, did they leave anything important out?

For Janine, be open to the Holy Spirit. He is the director and will not violate His own Word. By the way, are you near Lake Verret (ck sp). I remember fishing there many moons ago and it was a great spot.

As a fellow member of the C of C who has read "Why I Am A Member of the Church of Christ" several times in my life, I have come to an epiphany.  There were no signs outside of first century churches.  Everything we have called a "biblical name" in scripture was simply meant to be discriptive.  The word "church" was what they referred to themselves as.  I think that God must throw up his hands in disbelief that we actually argue over this stuff.

In HIM,
AE

Bob....now I remember why I left Florence twenty years ago...
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:(

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]As I posted several weeks ago, an interesting confrontation is ongoing in Florence, AL. It all started with a story in the Religion Section of the Florence Times Daily when a local church of Christ (the biggest in town) announced plans to build a mega campus with ball fields, a gym, etc. (but no McDonalds) right here in Florence.

The next week, a minister for a non-institutional church took out a rather large ad in the Religion Section of the paper and denounced and lambasted the first church and even went so far as to say he wished they would change their name from church of Christ to something else, since they had forfeited the right to be called Christians any more. I will have to admit though that this preacher is an equal opportunity lambaster, as he has creamed about everyone in town, Roman Catholics, "liberal" churches of Christ, etc. almost every group except the Non Institutional church.

OK, next level is that an editor of the paper wrote an article calling attention to the then ongoing "Light the Fire" campaign among some churches of Christ in town and asking "What kind of a church are we trying to revive?" He wanted to know if churches of Christ were going to revive a biblical church or one that spent all their energy vigorously attacking others, as in the present case.

Next level; a local minister of the churches of Christ writes a letter of protest to the editor and informs everyone that the two churches described, the one with the mega dream and the one attacking it, were "not in the mainstream anyway." So, we were encouraged to look at what the mainstream churches were doing, and not look at these two fringe groups.

Now, my question for you board posters is; "What is a mainstream church of Christ and who sets the parameters for this identification?" [/quote]

Lee, as a member of the West End church, I appreciate your posting that. Thanks! I LOVE my church family. They have been there for my family in so many ways, including helping us through the loss of a child. We've seen God's love shine through so often through the people there. We love David and Melony and their precious children. I'm blessed to know them.

The first Sunday of this year, immediately before Phil Kinzer preached his first sermon, officially, as our new pulpit minister, David led a prayer. Beautiful moment.

Did I mention that I love these people?  :)

- Barb

We'd been thinking & praying about starting up a congregation "down the bayou" where there is almost no church at all, except for people clinging to their Grandma's Catholicism.

Then Isidore and Lilli hit.  The communities down the bayous toward the bays of the Gulf were inundated.  Some homes were irrepairable.

The church of Christ up here is still running a disaster relief warehouse.  We're following up on people who initially got help from us, checking on what more we can do for them, setting up Bible studies.

Healing  after a hurricane is where we got our foot in the door down the other main bayou below town.  Lord willing, we'll grow another plant this time, too.

If we get any help at all from our current congregation, though, there will be no question and no deviation allowed.  The main sign will say "Church of Christ".  Period.

Makes Mike wonder how it will all pan out.

We still want to move down there.  We'll be jacking our home up on telephone poles. :)

Unless the Lord has other ideas, that's what we plan on doing.