Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 9
July 11, 1957
NUMBER 10, PAGE 12-13b

Churches On The March

Charles A. Holt, Florence, Alabama

CHURCH IN BUSINESS. The Central church in Nashville, Tennessee has operated an apartment house for girls for years. Also, she apparently owns and operates a boys dormitory. In the Nashville papers, May 25, the Central church had an ad wanting "Boys and Young Men" who "plan to come to Nashville for school or work" to contact them about a "place to live where you could take a course in Bible, enjoy good association and be conveniently located." This church is in business! If a church may own and operate such a business as this, then why not own and operate any other kind of business? Why not put in a grocery store, operate a hotel or anything else? Truly we are on the way to digression. Let the Catholic church move over and give "us" room in the business field!

BIBLE CAMPS — YOUTH CAMPS. Bible and Youth camps are about to get in full swing now. These things have caught on like "wild fire." I am not opposed to a camp for either young or old under the proper circumstances. The thing I oppose is churches going into the camp business--owning and operating such. This is being done. Here are some ads appearing in church bulletins relative to "church-operated" camps. Read them.

"The church in Pontotoc, Miss. will conduct a camp for young people June 16-28th. 'Camp Hope, A Christian Camp For Young People.' "Gulfport Banner, Gulfport, Miss.

"The Churches of Christ of the Terre Haute (Indiana) area, are planning their first Youth Camp this summer, at Camp Kritenstein.... There will be boating, hiking, games, contests, crafts, singing, swimming and a Bible course. . . ."

Camp Quaker Haven "is designed for campers 9 years of age through 15 years. . . . Total cost for each person is $10.00. . . . Fill out registration blank provided below. Send this blank, along with $5.00 registration fee to Church of Christ. 1400 North Summit St., Arkansas City, Kansas."

The above are but sample of such. Does the church have the scriptural right to operate a camp, where the church directs and controls such activities as softball, talent show, hiking, games, riding, boating, swimming and other things of like nature in the realm of fun and frolic?

Surely no one who knows and cares what the NT teaches thinks that such is any part of the mission or work of the Lord's church. In this respect, also, we are following the path of the sects and yet some brethren still maintain that there is no danger of a "falling away from the faith" today!

"FELLOWSHIP" AND "REFRESHMENTS." In a bulletin published by a church of Christ, at least so they say, we notice where the congregation had appointed various committees so the church could properly function and its work be caned on. Six committees were appointed, each with a chairman, who was to act as a "special minister" to the congregation. One man was selected as chairman of the "CONGREGATIONAL WELFARE COMMITTEE," which has TEN function with various men and women in charge of each. Here are three of those "sub-committees" and the area in which they are to function in order to carry on the work of the Lord and His church: (1) "FELLOWSHIP," (2) "BASEMENT FELLOWSHIP," and (3) "SUNDAY EVENING REFRESHMENTS." No, this is not taken from a bulletin of one of the Methodist, Presbyterian or Christian churches, but from a church of Christ — a congregation claiming identity with the NT church and the apostolic order of things.

CHORUS DIRECTOR. According to the financial statement of the Northside church in Fort Worth, they have a paid "Chorus Director " Do you suppose this is just another way of saying "Minister of Music," such as the sects have? Why not a "Choir Director?" Truly we are trying to be like the "nations" about us.

POPULAR CHRISTIANS? In a large ad in the Nashville, Tennessee papers, May 25, the Charlotte Avenue church had this: "CAN YOU BE POPULAR . . . AND A CHRISTIAN, TOO? 'Yes!' say three outstanding Christian ministers who will teach special classes Sunday at Charlotte Avenue church of Christ. If you would find out how, come and hear them: Mack Wayne Craig ... Jim Bill Mclnteer . . . Carroll Ellis . . ."

Well, now this is a "revelation!" These "outstanding Christian ministers" can tell how to have popularity with the world and be a Christian at the same time! They have learned something that the Apostle Paul did not know. He certainly did not seem to be very popular with the masses in his day. What about the early Christians who were burned at the stake, strangled, kept in prisons, and otherwise tortured? If only these "outstanding Christian ministers" had been there to tell them how to be "popular" and a Christian at the same time it would have saved them much needless suffering. This is the modern idea which many in the church have — popularity and Christianity together! This is the effect of modernism and downright unbelief of and adherence to the teaching of Christ. Imagine the followers of Christ enjoying popularity with the world when their Savior was so unpopular that He was crucified! 'When the church quits trying to be popular with (please the world) and begins to really preach and live the gospel as we should, then our lot in life will be but little different from that of those who have gone before in the service of the Lord. This whole idea is so wholly out of harmony with NT teaching that one can find a denial of it on almost every page. Yet this seems to be the spirit which has engulfed the churches in Nashville, and other places. There are no more debates in that city. The "fight" is gone from the church. Error goes unchallenged and God's truth goes untaught. The brethren are under the influence of those who have learned from sectarian sources and from the study of human philosophy that we can "preach the gospel and leave the other fellow alone." The theme now is popularity. This is preferred to pleasing God. Here is a good text that these "outstanding ministers" might use in teaching how to be popular and a Christian at the same time. "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life . . . persecutions, afflictions, which came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 2:10-12). Imagine this Apostle speaking on the theme of these three men! It seems that he suffered persecution almost everywhere he went. The difference between Paul and these men is easily seen. He preached the truth without fear or favor and stood in the way of all false doctrine and vain philosophy. May God help us to do His will at all cost.