Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Church of Christ in the news...
The Church of Christ has been in the news quite a bit lately due to the murder of a preacher in Tennessee. It has been interesting to hear various news organizations attempt to discribe us. Some have been fair and mostly accurate, while some have been horrible. But it has sparked discussion among many of us as to how we wish we were known. My son got an online discussion going with many of his friends (all very faith driven and very perceptive) about what we ought to be known for, and how we accomplish that. So it got me to thinking, and here is what I wish we were known for:
1. People of the book
2. Baptism (as a call to respond to God's grace)
3. People who live forgiven
4. Lord's Supper (our corporate witness)
5. Love each other
6. Evangelism (and not just by the professionals)
All of these are tied directly to the gospel: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
So what do you wish we were known for?
1. People of the book
2. Baptism (as a call to respond to God's grace)
3. People who live forgiven
4. Lord's Supper (our corporate witness)
5. Love each other
6. Evangelism (and not just by the professionals)
All of these are tied directly to the gospel: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
So what do you wish we were known for?
Comments:
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I was at chemo the other day with Jack. One of the mom's whose daughter is also in chemo and I were talking. She and her husband are 2 different denominations. She said that her denomination was generally hypocritical and gossipy, that is how she thought of it. Then the subject came up that I was Church of Christ and she said, that our denomination was known for helping people in need. By fixing meals for people who are sick or need some help, giving people money, and being real and genuine, and not judgemental like her denomination. That made me so happy to hear someone outside our denomination share such nice thoughts. Now why didn't that lady on CNN call her and ask about the c of c!
I want us to be known for love, love, love -- love of the sinners and the saints, the wounded and the well, the happy and the hopeless. And first and foremost, love of our Father. I think that's the way Jesus prioritized it, right?
I definitely second Sarah's vote for love, but I would also want to add...faithfulness through trials. That even though our lives are not perfect or easy, we remain faithful to God, and cling to Him for our comfort. Not that we are all perfect in this, but that we strive to achieve this.
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