Grant County church of Christ
November 25, 2007
ABANDON THE PLEA ?
By
Jerry Carmichael
Among the three major groups that can trace their roots back to the restoration movement of 1800's America, the church of Christ (acappella) is the largest.
When the groups split in 1906 the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which is the most liberal of the three, received by far, the most money, the most property and the most members. Yet, today their numbers have dwindled to 4,324 congregations and 817,650 members world wide!
The more conservative Independent Christian Church is a little larger with 5,293 congregations and 929,650 members.
The most conservative (Biblical) of the three, the churches of Christ has 13,000 congregations with 1,239,612 members in the U.S. alone!
There is much talk today about how we must abandon the plea of restoring the New Testament church for the more liberal new ways in order to grow and survive in today's religious climate. If this is the case, then why is it that this approach has not worked for those who were once part of our fellowship?
The facts show that liberalism creates quick, but superficial growth. After the glitter of the entertainment wears off, there is little substance left to keep one's interest. The numbers created by an entertainment oriented worship service are not lasting numbers. They do not represent committed, dedicated Christians. When the group down the street offers a better entertainment program we will lose our new-found friends to them.
The drawing power that gets and keeps dedicated, committed, members of the church is the Gospel of Christ and nothing else. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me" (John 6:44-45).
We should never be ashamed of the fact that we use the Gospel to draw people from sin and death to the wonderfully abundant Christian life (Romans 1:16). Christians to carry on in the Lord's church (1Corinthians 2:1-5).
DIVISION IN OUR FELLOWSHIP
A SOBERING LOOK AT OURSELVES!
Jerry W. Carmichael
Restoring the Lord’s church according to the exact pattern found in the New Testament has never been as easy as one might think. After nearly 250 years of restoration efforts in this country, statistics show that we still have a long way to go.
There are over 13,000 Churches of Christ in the United States and her territories. 2,055 churches of Christ (about 16%) are "non-institutional". This means that they object to the use of institutions such as orphan homes, Christian schools etc being supported from the church treasury. These can be found in 48 states. The states with the largest number of non-institutional churches are Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida and Maine. These churches finally broke away from the main stream churches about 1960 and are for the most part an isolated entity. They have very little to do with the programs and activities of the main stream churches.
There are about 1,100 congregations in the U.S. which believe it is a sin to have Bible classes separate from the main assembly of the church.
There are currently about 539 congregations in 34 states that believe that the use of multiple communion cups is a violation of the New Testament Pattern. These are often referred to as "one cuppers."
There are 130 "Mutual Edification" churches, found mostly in the Mid West. These brethren believe that it is a sin to have a paid, located preacher.
They simply take turns standing and "mutually edifying" one another with the message that is on their hearts at the time.
There are about 75 congregations that hold to the premillenial view of the last days. They are found mostly in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Louisiana. These brethren teach the "rapture theory" and the literal reign of Jesus on a throne in Jerusalem for 1,000 years.
The average size of a congregation of the Churches of Christ in the U.S. is 97. The average mainstream church has 112 (although it is not uncommon in Tennessee, Texas and Western, KY to find churches with membership of one thousand or more). Non-Institutional churches average 59 members. Non-class churches have an average of about 40 members, the one-cup and Mutual Edification churches average 32 members each, and the premillenial churches average about 30 members each.
These statistics tell us many interesting things about the church. The smallest churches among us are the ones who insist upon making extreme positions a test of fellowship. They are the ones who will not have contact nor, will they recognize as brethren those who disagree with them on a certain selected number of issues. The largest and fastest growing ones are the balanced ones. Those who strive to avoid extreme positions to the right or to the left of the Bible (see Deuteronomy 5:32). Those that lean extremely to the left often experience temporary superficial growth before declining.
The lesson from all of this is; the need for balance, evangelism and unity in the church.
(Statistics from Churches of Christ in the United States by Mac Lynn; 2003 edition)\
Visitors
You are our honored guest and we welcome you back anytime you are in the area. Please fill out a visitor card located in the rack on the back of the pew.
Prayer List
Bill Mollett is recovering at home from his recent surgery.
Sandy Mills is still suffering from kidney stones.
Reminder
If you need a ride to church services please let Jerry know as soon as possible.
Statistics
November 17, 2007
Attendance 50
Contribution $408.00
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MEET WITH US
205 Hopperton Lane
Dry Ridge, KY 41035
(859) 824-6200
Sunday AM Worship……..... .9:30AM
Sunday Bible Study………...10:40AM
Sunday PM Service……….. .6:00 PM
Wednesday Bible Study…... 7:00 PM
Minister: Jerry Carmichael: jerrywc@juno.net
Website: www.grantcountycc.org