Usually I post about things happening in the church that I don't agree with, and while I don't believe wondering openly about matters affecting the church is inappropriate, it may be time to present some things I believe are generally positive about the Church of Christ (well, most of them):
- ITS INDEPENDENT STANCE that refuses to tolerate any hierarchical church governments that issue laws and regulations seeking to conform the local churches to meet their personal scriptural interpretation. Since each COC is autonomous, it is not as likely to become corrupted by other churches.
- THE NAME, CHURCH OF CHRIST, certainly portrays the fact that we are the church, and we belong to Christ. Many churches have concocted names that often reveal what they believe, or what someone else calls them, but have little meaning in designating them as Christians. I prefer something as simple as, the church that meets at _______; the Lords church at ______; or something simple and meaningful without the usual ostentatious verbiage. At any rate the Church of Christ is a great name in my book.
- ITS SIMPLE ORGANIZATION utilizing elders and deacons instead of being governed by committee, or hierarchy, fits my understanding of the scriptures. Some in the COC have seen this as archaic, and went on to what they believe are newer and better means of leadership, but many of us old die-hards still hold to the elder/deacon approach. I know of one large COC that has elders, but no deacons. They rely on committees to run just about everything, but at least there are elders making the final decisions...hopefully!
There are many great reasons to claim the Church of Christ as my choice, but for now I'm basically comfortable with it's approach to following Jesus, and feel at home within its environs (probably because it's the only church I have ever known.) There are now so many different variations in the COC that it's almost impossible to generalize any specific COC belief, but warts and all, I still like it...
Usually I post about things happening in the church that I don't agree with, and while I don't believe wondering openly about matters affecting the church is inappropriate, it may be time to present some things I believe are generally positive about the Church of Christ (well, most of them):
5 comments:
Larry; I attend a congregation with over three hundred members. and at least two warts for every member.
Laymond...
Our little church is composed of about 60 members with one wart each, but with my 60+ warts we average at least two each as well... :)
Our CoC used to have larger numbers attending, but as we have chosen the path of being more "grace-centered" without all the legalism and exclusive-ness. But former members who wanted a more traditional church went 3 blocks north of us. Sadly, there is minimal fellowship with that body of Christ...which is sad. We try to avoid the description "liberal", or "progressive" for us, but we ARE those things. What I love about the church is that warts and all (and not all of them came from Larry), we truely love and care for each other like a bit family. If we had a new preacher, he would have to get out of an office and work in the community as well...the fields here are teeming! Just like in any family, the dynamics are always changing and we continue to grow. Maybe some day we will have a separate service with (gasp) instrumental music. Our Christmas program is with an orchestra CD track, and has been wonderfully received. (Some members have 3-5 warts, which more than makes up for those who have NONE at all). I would sorely miss my friends at church if I ever left...they are my rocks, my inspiration.
mea-culpa
I meant BIG family, not "bit" family...who said I could spell at 2am!!
Carolyn...
"who said I could spell at 2am!!"
I kan't speel wurth a hoote eny tyme of the dae.
"there is minimal fellowship with that body of Christ...which is sad."
Fellowship seems to be difficult to grasp for churches within the Restoration Movement who have decided to part ways. When we can't even get along among ourselves we will never find the unity the scriptures teach.
Jim Gardner was our guest speaker Sunday. I believe he is the preaching minister from the Woodward Park COC in Fresno.
I keep us with Wendy through her blog...she really has a great way with words. I have to re-read everything several times before I post to my blog, then see all kinds of errors...oh well!
Post a Comment