Revival Invitation

Sentinel Echo Newspaper Article

Friday, October 15, 2010

“Would You Invite Me to Your Revival?”

A Word About Our Gospel Meeting

Part 1

Have you ever visited a church of Christ, or attended one of their gospel meetings? Perhaps you have been told “what we believe”. I don’t know whether the person who told you “what we believe” [and practice] actually had first-hand information as to what we here at the Mill St. church of Christ believe/teach, but I would like you to consider attending our upcoming gospel meeting.

Most all local churches here in Laurel County have, from time to time, ‘revivals’ and/or special services such as homecomings, singings, benefits, or plays, shows and fund-raisers. All types of these services can be seen on the very same page as this article in the church news section. Do you ever visit a revival at a church other than the one of which you claim membership? If not, why not?

From what I’ve seen and heard from talking with people, there is a lot of stereo-typing going on in churches. We tend to stereo-type in many areas of our lives, but really the problem I want to deal with is the prejudice that results from stereo-typing. This prejudice is the real seed that keeps producing and strengthening division among good-hearted religious people. Let me illustrate:

If I wanted to know what your church believed, the best way would be for me to visit and see firsthand, would it not? That way I could know of a certainty, what was believed, for I would see what you actually DO! Now I could also just visit your churches web page (if available), or watch your services on TV (again, if available), or listen to your preacher preach on the radio, but scanning your web page of “what we believe” does not really give me the real picture. I say this because, as we all know, “saying and doing” are not always consistent. But this way of finding out about your church is really nothing more than a curiosity search, would you not agree? This way I do not have to have any interaction with anyone and I can sort of be anonymous. But, I could also find out about your church in another way. I could ask someone if they knew anything about your church, which is often done, for I’ve been told that very thing. Do you know who is most often asked? It is the preacher of your church! For some reason, I guess it fall within the preachers “job resume” to know what every other denomination believes. On that note, let me ask you, does your preacher encourage you to go and find out for yourself, or does he discourage you from ever doing so by saying something like, “Oh you don’t want to go there, let me tell you what they think/believe…”

For those who have experienced such, let me ask: Has you preacher ever attended a gospel meeting of a church of Christ----personally? Or has he stereo-typed, based upon some anonymous approach as I described above?

Again, would you want me to do that of your revival invitation? Would you invite me to your revival personally, REALLY wanting me to attend, but not just ‘visit’ but would you actually want me to support your churches efforts to evangelize? You see what I’m saying? Even within our “church page” announcements, we are really being anonymous aren’t we? Why is that?

Would you want me to sort of make some facetious promise, by saying “I’ll try to make it; hope you have a good revival…” so that we both could sort of soothe our consciences in the matter (you invited, so you did a good work for the Lord, and I was encouraging rather than argumentative over our differences)?

Have you been turned off to the church of Christ by comments you’ve heard about us? Have you, in reality been prejudiced against us thru stereo-typing? Perhaps you’ve had a personal “bad experience” from talking w/someone who attends a congregation of the church of Christ other than Mill Street. Have you passed judgment on us on the basis of another congregation? Again, would you want any of our members at Mill Street to do that with your church? I sincerely hope and pray that you would agree with me that THAT behaviour is WRONG! Such should NEVER be done!

The LORD taught for all of us to “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) Simply put, get all the facts before making your conclusion.

I say all this to make this point about the Mill Street congregation: Do we believe we are following the Bible (teaching the truth) to the best of our ability here at Mill Street? Yes indeed, but do you not make the same claim in your church? Do we believe we are right? Yes indeed, for would be not be fools to continue as we do in our teaching, while believing that we were wrong? But are we any different from your church in that respect? Do you believe your church is wrong, or do you not believe your church is right? Are we not alike in that sense?

So again, why haven’t you ever visited or accepted an invitation to a gospel meeting of a church of Christ? Do you believe we’re wrong? If so, then you have just admitted that you DON’T believe that “one church is as good as another”. But consider, do you or have you ever supported the revival meetings of another church of the same denomination as yours? If not, why not? Certainly it is not because of a conflict of regular service times, (unless your church has a revival at the same time). If I may, let me give you a scenario to make the point even clearer:

If you are a Catholic, do you believe that the Baptist denomination is right? If so, do you ever support their revivals? Or, visa versa? Do you believe that one church is as good as another? If so, then you admit that the church of Christ is as good as yours, so why not attend our gospel meeting next week? I fear that many, in reality are guilty of the very thing that the “church of Christ” is accused of…namely that “you think that you all are the ONLY ones who are right and are going to heaven”. If you don’t believe that about yourself, or about your church, then why not come see for yourself what we believe, but more importantly, what we teach and practice. We will join together in congregational singing; there will be prayers together, and a sermon on the subjects listed below. There will be no ‘love offerings’ taken up, but you may ask any questions about our beliefs (before, during, or after the service). I sincerely believe you will find us to be following the Bible in our teaching. Why not even see if your preacher would come with you? We only want people who as yet are lost in sin to be born again (John 3:3-5) and to grow to spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Will you extend the same invitation to us in regard to your revivals?

Roger Bruner

Sentinel Echo Newspaper Article

Friday, October 22, 2010

“Would You Invite Me to Your Revival?”

A Word About Our Gospel Meeting

Part 2

Last week I wrote: “Most all local churches here in Laurel County have, from time to time, ‘revivals’ and/or special services such as homecomings, singings, benefits, or plays, shows and fund-raisers. All types of these services can be seen on the very same page as this article in the church news section. Do you ever visit a revival at a church other than the one of which you claim membership? If not, why not?”

I want to address this subject as it evidences a “phobia” among ‘church-goers’ (as commonly used). Let me begin by asking several questions. Are you somewhat uncomfortable in going to revivals or visiting a church different than your ‘home’ church? If not, then consider your reasons why, but more importantly, consider whether they are based upon biblical principles.

Is it because of a disagreement as to what is taught? As I pointed out from last week’s article, have you ‘heard’ something about a particular church’s beliefs that has sent up some sort of ‘red flag’? As I pointed out in last week’s article, there is a lot of stereo-typing among church members and this gives birth to prejudice, and prejudice is condemned in the Bible! Here are just a few passages that clearly show this:

Job 13:10 – “He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.”

Prov. 24:23; 28:21 – “It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.”

Acts 10:34 – “God is no respecter of persons.”

1 Tim. 5:21 – “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”

See also: Acts 15:9; Rom. 2:11-12; 10:12; Ephesians 6:8; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17

James 2:1-9 – “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”

Last week I asked for you to consider the church of Christ. There have been many statements, [allegations really] made about the church of Christ in terms of ‘what we believe’. Examples of such remarks include but are not limited to:

“You all think you are the only ones going to heaven”

“You believe everybody but you are wrong”

“You think your little group is the only saved people on earth”

I could go on, but these are among the statements that I have personally heard, and want to address. First of all, I want to state this about the congregation at Mill Street. Do we believe we are following the Bible (teaching the truth) to the best of our ability here at Mill Street? Yes indeed, but do you not make the same claim in your church? Do we believe we are right? Yes indeed, for would be not be fools to continue as we do in our teaching, while believing that we were wrong? But are we any different from your church in that respect? Do you believe your church is wrong, or do you not believe your church is right? Are we not alike in that sense?

If you are a Catholic, do you believe that the Baptist denomination is right? If so, do you ever support their revivals? Or, visa versa? Do you believe that one church is as good as another? If so, then you admit that the church of Christ is as good as yours. I fear that many, in reality are guilty of the very thing that the “church of Christ” is accused of…namely that “you think that you all are the ONLY ones who are right and are going to heaven”. If you don’t believe that about yourself, or about your church, then why not come see for yourself what we believe, but more importantly, what we teach and practice.

Roger Bruner

“Would You Invite Me to Your Revival?”

A Word About Our Gospel Meeting

Part 3

A popular statement often made in religious circles is “One church is as good as another”. I have heard this, and related statements, which suggest that it doesn’t matter which church one attends or becomes associated with. I have asked in the two previous articles, “Do you ever attend a revival at a church other than the one of which you claim membership? If not, why not?”

As I observe ‘attendance behaviors’ I find that very few people attend at other church functions, unless it is just a performance that is open to the public in general. By this I mean, a play, a performance, or concert. But when preaching only is going to be the reason, do you support that effort, by attending?

I want to address this “phobia” among ‘church-goers’ (as commonly used). I asked in the earlier articles, “Are you somewhat uncomfortable in visiting a church/denomination different than your ‘home’ church/denomination? If so, then consider your reasons why, but more importantly, consider whether they are based upon biblical principles.” Is it because of a disagreement as to what is taught? Even within local churches of the same denomination, I rarely find that members from one denomination, such as a local Baptist church will attend a revival at a nearby local Baptist church. One would not think that ‘doctrinal issues’ are the issue in that situation!

As I pointed out from the first article, people are prejudiced against other ‘faiths’ because of statements made about their beliefs. As I pointed out in last week’s article, there is a lot of stereo-typing among church members and this gives birth to prejudice, and prejudice is condemned in the Bible! Prejudice keeps producing and strengthening division among good-hearted religious people.

Division is equally condemned among Christians and in churches. The Lord taught: "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” - Matt. 12:25. The apostle Paul condemned the division in the church of Christ at Corinth as follows: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1:10; again in chapter 11:18, he would say, “…when you come together as a church,I hear that there are divisions among you.”

To the contrary, Paul would clarify the ONLY type of ‘striving’ that is approved of God to the church of Christ at Philippi, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…” - Phil. 1:27.

If all denominations were doing as Paul wrote here in the Philippian epistle, then they would be named alike, they would worship alike, and their organization would be alike. They would teach the same on the Bible on all subjects. The reality and fact is, this is NOT the situation. The SOLE reason for this sad situation is attributed to what is preached! I stated earlier that from my personal experiences I have found that the source of religious prejudice and stereo-typing is preacher comments about what is believed and practiced elsewhere. For example a repeated comment I hear while discussing the Bible with people, is that they “heard” that we (in the church of Christ) think/believe that we are, and I quote, “THE ONLY LITTLE GROUP WHO THINKS THEY ARE RIGHT AND GOING TO BE IN HEAVEN”. I briefly touched on this in last week’s article. Let me address this even further. Do we believe that we are right and going to heaven? Yes, but do we believe we are the ONLY ones going to heaven? NO! As I stated in last week’s article, about the congregation at Mill Street. “Do we believe we are following the Bible (teaching the truth) here? Yes indeed, but do you not make the same claim about your church? Do we believe we are right? Yes indeed, for would we not be fools to continue as we do in our teaching, while believing that we were wrong? But are we any different from your church in that respect? Do you not believe your church is right? Are we not alike in that sense?

The statement about churches of Christ believing that they are the true church of which Jesus spoke of in Matt 16:18 ought to be the aim of ANY church. However, I submit that this same mindset is held by all who hold membership in a local church. The fact that you chose or claimed membership in a particular denominational church evidences that you think it is religiously correct, and accurately teaching/following the Bible.

But the real issue surrounding this prejudice is seen in what you believe about any church OTHER than the church of which you are a member. Do you believe that ALL churches are OK? Do you believe that ANY church other than the one to which you claim membership is OK? I submit that no one does! If you did, would you not attend their revivals? Does your church even announce other revivals? Consider also, during the winter time, when your church’s services are cancelled, do you ever go to any church’s services that are not cancelled? Have you ever done so?

To any who profess to accept the concept that “one church is as good as another”, let me ask you to consider: does that include the church of Christ? Do you believe that the church of Christ is “as good as” your church? If not, then why not? Is it because of our teaching? Do we fail to teach the Bible correctly or is it because we simply teach differently from you? We willingly will discuss our convictions with you, your preacher, or anyone who differs with us. We ask nothing of anyone that we would not be willing to do, if asked.

Do we believe that false doctrines have been (and still are), being taught? Yes! Are these false doctrines the reason that denominational churches exist? YES! Must there be discussions on these differences? Definitely! These differences are hindering those still lost in sin from being converted! That is the point of the Lord’s words in His prayer of John 17. In verses 20-21 Jesus prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

How do you understand this unity that Jesus said He and His Father had…that they “agreed to disagree?” No one with an honest heart would say so. The unity that we are to have as believers is JUST LIKE THE UNITY THAT JESUS AND HIS FATHER HAD! ALL believers are to be ONE in this way and this way ONLY. Do we here at this church of Christ desire that we work together like the apostle Paul described in Philippians 1:27? Certainly! The question is, DO YOU?

Roger Bruner