I write the following as one who has done the very things I’m lamenting. I speak from regrettable experience on this one. During my senior year in High School, I was a self-proclaimed missionary to the Baptists and enjoyed a fair amount of “success.”
“They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” Hosea 8:7 (NIV)
To engage our emerging culture, we’re going to have to make some changes. What kind of changes? At this point it doesn’t really matter. There is an anti-change bias in Churches of Christ that’s not going away any time soon.
One of the big reasons for this, but not the only one, is that there are a number of people in our churches who were not converted to Christ. They were converted to a particular theology of baptism, style of worship, or church polity. They’re not a part of our fellowship because we helped them fall in love with Jesus, but because we convinced them that our way of doing church was more right than theirs. If anything, they were converted to our tribe because they already loved Jesus and we were able to persuade them that if they didn’t make the switch, then their love for him might be in vain.
So they took the plunge all over again. They left behind parents, spouses, life-long friends, and years of memories in order to be a part of “The Church.” We told them the truth as we saw it. We looked them in the eye and professed concerned for their everlasting souls. We overwhelmed them with syllogisms and proof texts. Many of them believed us, so much so that they were willing to make a painful choice.
These are the same people who are now bristling at the suggestion that we’re not the only ones–that we’re no smarter, no better, no more righteous than the very churches they bailed out of years ago. They severed the ties. They endured the pain. Now they’re being told it wasn’t necessary. At least that’s the implication they’re drawing from our attempts to be more open to dialogue and fellowship with other tribes.
My experience is that it’s those whom we have converted to Churches of Christ, rather than C of C lifers, who are the most resistant to change. And I can’t say that I blame them. They joined us and now we’re changing the rules of the game. Though they may not say it, their resistance to change is a scream of desperate protest, “If we’re not the only ones, then why did I go through all I went through years ago?”
Of course, the rules need to be changed. We were wrong. We judged them. We condemned them. We manipulated them (at least I did). Now we’re trying to take it back.
We’re trying to recover the message of the gospel. We’re searching for ways to share the good news of Jesus with actual sinners. We’re begging our churches to open themselves up to new ideas and experiences. We’re pleading for flexibility in thought and action. We’re looking for a few risk-takers who will join us on the adventure of faith.
In so many of our congregations, it’s not happening. They’re not budging. They’ve experienced all the faith-induced, change-based pain they intend to.
Before we castigate them for being narrow-minded or accuse them of being hard-hearted, we must take responsibility for the message we preached. We must acknowledge that we are facing the sad consequences of good news gone not so slightly askew.
This fierce wind we find ourselves staggering against, she’s strong for a reason.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Now THERE’S a observation you don’t see everyday. You sow a false theology and your reap a warped fellowship. I hope we can make appropriate apologies and repent of our pride. I pray we can become a group that’s so focused on Jesus that it’s as painful to do something that’s out of his character than it currently is to change.
I tried to convert my best friend in high school. He was (and still is) an Assmeblies of God guy. As I look back, more of our conversations centered on acappella music. Next was baptism.
He finally relented one Sunday and came to my church. We sang old hymns, like we always did. After church he tried to be as nice as he could when he said, “I think our songs are more reverent than yours. And what does ‘ye’ means?”
Boom, there I was defending the KJV.
The word “ye” became part of his vernacular. Whenever he wanted rib me a little, he’d bust out with “ye” when “you” or “you guys” was was appropriate. (This was in Minnesota, so “y’all” was never appropriate).
As I look back, I was looking to a shallow ecclesiology to unite us, not a deep ecclesiology.
I too, sadly, was deeply devoted to that “form” of worship. To the five steps, to debates on music and baptism. Now I am amazed at my own blindness! Unfortunately, I did not come into a relationship with Jesus until my children were grown. Their only view of the church is that it is all about the legalistic rules and that none of us will ever measure up. Do you have any suggestions for me in helping to change their view? How to help them to truly understand the grace of God and the freedom he offers?
True!
The observations are so true. I face this problem of converting to something other than Jesus every year as I direct a session of camp. Youth ministers mostly that seem to want to notch their belts and bring some to me who talk a lot about baptism but very little if any about Jesus. I always know somethings up when they are put out with this pastoral step and the obligation to call the parents.
Great food for discussion, keep them coming.
I recall dating an extremely devout (and extremely hot) Baptist girl while I was a student at Faulkner University… I was a fairly young “convert” to the churches of Christ, but I was well indoctrinated in those two short years.
I spent the majority of our relationship trying to convert her. It lasted about 4 months and then she kicked me to the curb! I praise God that she had the good sense to do so!
Of course, I ended up marrying a girl that has absolutely no ties to the Restoration Movement whatsover, and she has really helped me out a lot, but as I commented in an earlier post, I still have a LOOONNNGGG way to go!
By the way, I linked these articles to my blog. I think they are excellent and with your permission, I would like to copy and send these to some friends of mine that are not up on the whole “blogosphere” thing. Please let me know if that would be cool with you.
Beneath His Mercy,
Brian
Excellent points, Wade. The entire series.
There is an interesting parallel between the CoC denominational development and the newspaper industry (which I work in).
In the first part of the century, the newspaper was king, pushing social reform, exposing the seedy underbelly, uniting the nation in the way that mass communication can. As a result of its importance, a certain degree of editorial arrogance began to emerge that basically felt that it was the newspaper’s responsibility to determine what the public needed to know. Content was determined by a few top dogs who understood what was relevant and then disseminated to the masses in appropriate amounts. TV, radio and magazines began to erode that handhold in the 70s – 80s, but the approach taken was basically to circle the wagons and maximize profits without changing the business model. Today, newspaper popularity is in the can, as younger people don’t consider it relevant at all – prefering the web where they can cull from the best and get news their way. The notion that the public is the best judge of content and presentation is arising in the industry, but our problem now is that our subscriber majority is the elderly and they’re not very happy with change of any sort. So we risk losing paying subscribers every time we try to attract the uninitiated.
Isn’t serendipity wonderful? BTW, we have no emerging solutions that appear to be the cure-all, either.
You make a good case. GREAT ANALYSIS!
I would offer one caution, though. In my experience, it is a false dichotomy to say this is more prevalent among those converted from the outside. The issue is not “from whence”, but rather, “to what”? I am one who was converted from the outside and was really hard nosed for years (and am now blessed to be seeing the light). I have known plenty of “from withins” who are resistant to the winds of change.
So, my observation is that your analysis as to “what” folks have been converted (whether from within or from without) is the thing that matters. Those who have been converted to Jesus Christ are more apt to consider change that is justifiable. Those who were converted to the “church” are more likely to resist the change.
Since I’ve got to be staying off my feet this week with my foot propped up (see my 2 blogs from last week), I’m blogging around a lot. I’ve just finished reading your entire “series” here about an “emerging” church of Christ.
There are some really interesting and vital ideas presented and I’m glad so many younger Christians are seeking to find a way to better connect with the world in which they are living.
I’m a lot older than most of these writers, but I have to say that I don’t see anything new and different in their conclusions than any I’d come to a long time ago through my years of changing and growing. I’ve said before in commenting to various Christians’ blogs that no one ever kept me from “doing” anything or reaching out to anyone with the gospel as a Christian or woman, either one, although I’ve lived a lot of places where it may have been difficult at times.
It seems rather amusing to me to see these younger Christians getting so excited about things I remember getting excited about in the late 60s and early 70s, which was years and years ago. (Good grief!) I’m glad, but I think that the younger, or more progressive, “generation,” if you will, don’t give those of us who have been around a while nearly enough credit for having brains and using them in our journey through this world as we forever seek to be God’s child and do His will.
My mom, who is 83, is the best example I know of that statement. And I commented to Keith Brenton’s blog just a few days ago about my dad and his work as an elder while in Abernathy, Texas (just north of Lubbock) that was the beginning of Sunset “School of Preaching” back in 1964 and other work like that that has led to people becoming Christians around the world. (I could say a lot more about all of that, but time and space don’t permit.)
I’m not putting anyone down here – don’t get me wrong. In fact, I’m much more optimistic than most of you guys seem to be about the cofC and how it has progressed and changed and grown in just my lifetime (I’m in my 50s). I know fully well what all of the problems are and have been. I’ve lived with them and lived through many, if not all, of them. I know my parents did (and my mom still is).
I think younger Christians need to be more optimistic, too, and thankful to their “mentors” in the brotherhood who have led the way to where those younger are today, rather than writing all of us over 40 off! God’s children and His church in this world will continue to grow, expand, learn, be more spiritual, loving and giving as we continue to search His Word and His will daily.
Dee Andrews
I totally agree that people can be converted to a way of “doing church” without being converted to Jesus. I agree that if that is the case then it is a terrible waste. I totally agree that there is a ton of stuff that we are wrapped up in that is just Cultural and American and Modern and not vintange Christian. I totally agree that the horse is more important than the cart. However, I feel like we cannot discount hundreds of years of faith. I’m speaking as a biased insider, an optimist, and as someone who LOVES the churches of Christ. There are tons REASON the Restoration Movement began and it was not just the result of the Modernist way of thinking. There were real problems in churches around the world. (this was not just an American thing, but yes a western thing) People from many groups were involved and it was, and still is a blessing to lives. Have we totally abandoned the message? Ideas like Unity, Restoration, and the Singular nature of the church are not just modern ideas. I guess I believe that churches of Christ at their best have something unique to offer to those who are searching for Christ. We’ve got to figure out what we are all about (1 Corinthians 2:2)
I could go a long way in offering similar kudos as others, and I’m grateful, Wade, for your floating these very important thoughts to the top. I do not make it my business to veer Christian people away from their faith families (but as others have confessed, that used to be a primary facet of my witnessing). And I find a lot to like about what you’ve written in all of the articles. I plan to contemplate them further.
It seems to me that as we move toward a more evangelical view, the evangelicals are moving away as quickly as we move toward them. One could rightfully ask if we are chasing evangelical acceptance or are we chasing Jesus? That cuts to motive … and I can only know my own motives (sometimes I’m not sure about that!). But I think it is a question to raise. Are we anxious to be accepted by others, or to accept others? I do not see anyone standing at our doors begging for our acceptance. Conversely, I see a lot of COC’ers (shiver) desperately wanting to be embraced by mainline protestants. Should we chase the Episcopals into homosexual clergy? Could I speak against that without being arrogant or feeling that I am better? Can I talk to my Episcopal friend about finding a simpler and more Christlike path without saying I am the only one who knows the right way?
I think some of the resistance to change is because on the one hand some of us receive a scowl from other “tribes” (can I be PC enough to use that term? I don’t know) if we suggest that there is something they may be able to learn from us … and on the other hand a scowl from our own “tribe” for suggesting that we might understand some things that would be a blessing to the others.
It almost seems like we have a choice to dump all convictions, or be exclusivist in our attitudes. I think there’s a way to be in the middle. After all…isn’t this the day and time when every religious idea is true because someone sincerely believes it?
I have more questions than answers … but I thought I’d demonstrate my brilliance (ignorance) by offering more than a “atta boy, Luther”. (What movie did that come from!)
Wade and others,
I wonder if churches of Christ should stop asking ourselves, “what is unique about us (coC) that we can offer to those seeking spiritual guidance?” I think this is the wrong question. Churches of Christ have been standing firm on our own “uniqueness” without ever mentioning our Teacher, only that by our uniqueness are we following closely to the Teacher (aka doing worship just right/Biblically).
I don’t think being unique will help us. Or being cool. Or hip. Or relevant for that matter. Will we (will I) stop admiring him and start following him? Churches of Christ, in my mind, will have to drop this sense of uniqueness and start re-examining what it means to be apprentices of the Master. Do I like the way we sing acapella? Sure, but that doesn’t effect the Kingdom. Do I like that we partake of the Eucharist feast every week? Sure, but is it formational? I agree with Tom that we have to learn from our predecessors and be thankful for the mistakes they made as well as the harvest they planted.
DING-DING!
That would be 1966’s “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” starring Don Knotts, Mr. Dobbs!
Here is a true story that relates to this discussion, it may seem like it is coming from another era, but it only happened a week ago. I will relate it as truthfully as I can.
I had noticed this teenage girl and her mother sitting at the back of our auditorium the last few weeks. They always left before I could fight my way to the back to see them. After three weeks the girl turned in a visitors card to a man in the back of our auditorium, who happened to be one of our Shepherds. He assumed it was just another visitors card and he took no immediate action. Generally visitors recieve a visit and loaf of bread, but it takes a few days. On Tuesday he looked at the card when he was bringing it to the church and noticed she had written that she wished to confess Christ and be baptized. That evening I went to see her with one of our minitry leaders. First we made the usual small talk, and then I asked her about her card and why she wanted to be baptized. She told me that in her daily Bible reading she was in Romans and read the part about being “buried with Christ”. I was suprised and asked her what Church they had been attending (assuming it was a COC church, or at least that that was her background) to my suprise she said her family was Catholic, but they were not active. In the course of about a 2 hour conversation I discovered that this young teenage girl had become interested in Christianity and a few months previous had gone to the public library and checked out a book about different types of churches. As she read and learned about differnt churches she would go and visit them. During this time she was praying and reading her bible. She visited 9 different types of churches before finding a chapter about COC and visiting a Church of Christ. She came to ours only because we had the biggest advertisment in the yellow pages. I asked her why she liked it and why she came back, and she said she thought she had found a church like the ones she had been reading about in the Bible. Her words not mine. After this we read scripture together for about an hour, we read John 1:1-14, we read different accounts of the miracles of Jesus and I asked her to tell me about Christ and His qualities and why she wanted to follow him. We also read Galatians 3:26, and Romans 6 again. I repeated over and over that salvation is found in Christ and that it is his blood that makes us clean. I told her that From those verses I thought baptism was about submission. It is like saying to God, I need you to save me because I am insufficient, that is was about being clothed with Christ, and having his righteousness. However, it was all just review she already was familiar with all the verses we were reading. I found her to be mature, thoughtful, and a person of prayer. At the end of our study I told her we would love to honor her request to be baptized whenever she was ready (with her moms permission she is 17) She said she had been waiting and praying for this for months. We honored her request that Tuesday evening.
I agree with Clark. Christ is the only truly unique one. If any of us have anything unique about us it is because we have been with Jesus. I ask for you prayers as we work with this girl and her family. I ask you to pray that she will find God’s people here. Mostly I pray that she will find Christ here. Talk about pressure.
Tom–what a fantastic story. Thanks for sharing. This reminds me that no matter where our mission takes us, God has already been there, going before us, leading the way, preparing the ground. This is not something we have to figure out. We just need to humbly walk the path and pay attention. God’s working all around us.
Way to go Keith Brenton! (Sorry, Wade, this is not Jeopardy! I know.)
Very interesting series. I agree with some, disagree with other points.
LIke Dee, I’m a bit older than the rest of you, I think, and like Dee, there’s not much I’m reading here that I can’t remember discussing with others as far back as the 70’s and 80’s. The internet, I think, makes some communication possible across regions and age boundaries in ways that were not so possible back then. This is both good and bad, I guess, but I hope mostly good.
Anyway- two stories, both from the early 80’s.
1. A friend of mine was studying the Bible with a neighbor and called me to tell me she was having trouble finding a Bible verse she knew she’d read before- the one about how you have to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized to be saved. I was shocked that she really thought that was a verse, but not nearly as shocked as she was when she found out it wasn’t.
2. Ladies Bible Class- we were talking about goals, and a young mother, probably about 30, said something in class about how she wanted her children to grow up to love the church. I, a younger mother in my 20’s, said that I hoped she meant to love Jesus, and she said, no, not really, she meant the church, but she thought it all amounted to the same thing in the end.
I’m a little more charitable about her point of view now than I was when I was younger and less tolerant of people more ‘conservative’ than I, and I realize now she wasn’t quite as wrong as I thought she was, but she still got it backward.
Okay, one more point- about the Five Steps of Salvation- it is my historical understanding that this was, at least originally, a response to the tulip, the five points of Calvinism, and that the originator of the Five Steps meme (I forget his name, but it seems to me he was a restoration preacher with the same or a similar name as a great literary figure) developed it as part of his ‘ad compaign.’
He’d show up in a neighborhood, teach the school children this little five finger exercise of his own and tell them to go teach it to their folks and then bring the whole family to hear him speak about it at the old tree stump at 5:00 or some such thing.
Since so many of the audience of the time were either five point calvinists or had been brought up in the fear of it, the five steps idea was something they could relate to, or at least be intrigued by, adn they’d come to hear more.
As an x-baptist, now church of Christ minister… I appreciate your insight. Thanks for challenging me!