"Operation 68"
"God has provided for the organization of local congregations of Christians. This is the only unit of organization authorized in the scriptures. God is silent regarding the organization of any unit within the congregation and smaller than the congregation. He is likewise silent regarding the organization of any unit larger than the local congregation, and through which whole congregations may work to carry out the mission of the church." (Reuel Lemmons, Firm Foundation, April 3, 1956, p. 210). "Any effort to take away from the church the work God gave it to do, and to substitute for the church human societies to do the work of the church, is a reflection upon the wisdom of God and upon the redemptive power of the blood of Christ. If human agencies can do either the works of evangelism or benevolence, just as well as to say nothing of better than the church then, Jesus shed his blood for a paltry thing indeed." (Reuel Lemmons, Firm Foundation, September 4, 1960). I believe that the above statements are true because they are in harmony with the teaching of the New Testament. Since they are true, how can such organizations as "Operation 68" be scriptural?
But, you ask, what is "Operation 68"? "Operation 68 grew out of the wilderness in the area of the Yamhill River which is the site of Camp Yamhill, a Christian Camp for young people, about fifty miles west of Portland, (Oregon). So Wrote Jim Borden in "Operation 68 News Letter" a few weeks past. During the summer of 1962 while attending the "Christian Camp" a number of young people, "most of the group were still in high school," decided to "dedicate themselves to God as missionaries in a foreign land." These facts and quotes are taken from the same article. You can see from this that the organization "Operation 68" grew out of the "Wilderness" of the undeveloped minds of some young people and was taken up by some older ones. "These young people decided to go together as a group and began making plans immediately. Most of the group were still in high school so the date, 1968 was set, allowing them time to complete their college training. 'At least 68 missionaries in a foreign land by 1968' was their theme, and thus 'Operation 68' was born."
This "group," as they called themselves in the Newsletters they began to send out, formed an organization with at least a treasurer, and one committee was appointed. They began to conduct meetings to formulate plan and to promote the organization. In NEWSLETTER Number III, January 16, 1963, under the heading "OPERATION '68ers BEGIN TO DRAFT PLANS" we copy the following: "Good food, a wonderful speaker, and the sharing of Christian dreams and friendships — what a perfect way for members of Operation 68 members and interested friends — at Obie's Restaurant on December 31, 1962.
"After dinner, Cal Hall introduced Danny Draudrick, who welcomed everyone and turned the meeting back over to brother Hall. Brother O. J. Russell, minister of the Central Church of Christ in Portland and chairman of the committee advising us as to a good location, then asked for nominations from the floor for countries to be our goal." Cal Hall is the preacher that got the job as preacher with the Keizer church of Christ, Salem; Oregon, after an ad appeared in the Christian Chronicle September 2, 1960, by the elders of that church. The ad stated in part, "Need full time man with ability to do personal work as well as pulpit work. Age; 40-50. Prefer a man from the Southwest who is thoroughly experienced with ''Anties' and their tactics as they are now at work in this, their last area of hope. With a total church membership of less than1/4 of 1% of the county population plus the 'anti problem, this is the place for a sound preacher who is looking for a Challenge. It would seem that with as few members of the church as in this "area" that this would be a "good place" for a "group" of "missionaries" to locate for work. But, lo, they turn to Brazil!
It seems that the organization, Operation 68, is made up of "Travelers" and "Boosters." The former are these who plan to travel to a foreign land in 1968 and the latter are those who are to be "boosters" for the "travelers." Dues were to be paid into the organization by members of the group. On page 3 of the January 16, 1963 NEWS-LETTER, there is a statement with regard to the dues as follows, "REMITTANCE ENVELOPES." "We realize remembering to send in monthly dollars can be awfully hard to do. To help you to remember your pledge and to offer you a convenient way to remit, we are planning to enclose a remittance envelope with each Newsletter. Flying a hundred people to a foreign land, buying land and constructing buildings is going to require a tremendous amount of money. Please don't neglect this vital part of our project." On this same page is an announcement of the "second site location meeting" in which "Brother O. J. Russell will again be the coordinator for the discussion." Also, there is a report from the treasurer as follows:
Chart Goes Here
In the Newsletter of February 14, 1963, the report is made on the January 26 "site location meeting." "Thirty-two members of Operation 68 members were able to attend." Another meeting was decided on to be held February 23, 1963, at the Central Church building in Portland. A second "LOCATION QUESTIONAIRE" was to be sent out to each member and April 1st was set or "had been our tentative deadline for aiming at a decision." "Each member will be asked to consider the information prayerfully and select his choice of the three" countries selected by the group present. Then, this statement is made in the report, "(4) This tabulation will then be studied by the elders of Central Congregation and if by their wisdom and help from God, they feel, we made a wise choice, the announcement will be---made at least by April and possibly in the March Newsletter." A "TREASURER'S REPORT: OPERATING FUND" and a "Savings Fund" balance are on page 3.
In the "OPERATION '68 NEWSLETTER, April 2, 1963" the announcement of the country selected by the "travelers" is given.
"BRAZIL — SELECTED AS MISSION SITE." "Operation '68 is just barely getting old enough that we can look back at "our earlier days' and reflect on what we've done thus far. Last fall we set for ourselves a deadline of April 1st by which time to have a country selected for the location of our missionary work. We've gone through the stage of detailed research, questionnaires, and monthly meetings of presentations and discussions. In our last meeting, we came up with three countries, the ones we felt would be the best possible sites for a work such as ours.
"At the March meeting, after very good reports were given on a dozen different countries and after a prayer which we felt to be very appropriate, we voted. Ten countries were include in the list we voted on though numerous other countries had been considered. The results given in voting points were as follows:
Chart Goes Here
A runoff between the Philippines, Venezuela and Central America resulted in the Philippines as number three.
"Ballots and the gathered information on the three countries were then sent to all '68 travelers and of the ones that were returned, Brazil was the unanimous choice. The Elders of Central congregation felt that the choice was a wise one and the first big step was accomplished. Australia and the Philippines remain as alternatives in the case that some unforeseen obstacles arise regarding Brazil before 1968."
"It is a great relief to know as well as possible where we are heading..."
In the Christian Chronicle, Abilene, Texas, January 18, 1963, page I, there is an article "By O. J. Russell, Special to the Chronicle," under the headline, "NORTHWEST CHURCHES BACK 'OPERATION '68 GROUP," The paragraph" states PORTLAND, ORE. — The Central Church in Portland has announced that it will accept the challenge of overseeing and guiding the visionary
Movement and rapidly growing missionary endeavor, Operation '68. I think brother Russell chose the right word to describe this "missionary endeavor when he said it was a "visionary" movement. In Webster's Collegiate Dictionary this word is defined thus, "1. Seeing, or disposed to see, visions; given to dreaming or imagining. 2. Of the nature of a vision; existing in the imagination only hence, impracticable; chimerical. 3. of, pert, to, or favorable for, visions." Two synonyms are given of the word, "Fantastic, delusive," by the same authority. This word certainly aptly describes this movement conceived in the minds of these high school young people while attending a "Christian, camp." But there is more.
In the "OPERATION 68 NEWSLETTER" not dated but apparently sent out in May, 1963, it is stated in the article, "A MESSAGE FROM THE CENTRAL ELDERS," that "When the eldership of the Central Church in Portland was first approached by a group of dedicated representatives from 'Operation 68' respecting our oversight of the operational procedures of a great missionary program, we were a little apprehensive and even some what fearful that the task might be too great for us. However, after observing the dedication, the faith, and vision of the young people involved and after prayerful consideration, we consented to oversee the organizational and operational procedures of this Visionary endeavor. As originally requested, the Central elders will make final decisions in matters of coordinating working forces, expenditures of funds, site selections, etc.
"We have appointed Calvin Hall to work as coordinator between members of the group and the eldership at Central. Working with him are Dr. Jim Borden of Central congregation and Frank Roberts, minister from Hood River, Oregon. Roy Holland, who recently moved to Colorado City, Texas, is working closely with this group."
Now, what do you think of this affair? Here is a "missionary society" without the delegate feature from churches, but an organization for doing "missionary" work, with their own organization with their voting, dues paying, etc., and the elders of a church of the Lord taking the oversight of this organization! Brother Lemmons and others have pointed out time after time that the elders of the church are over nothing but the church, but here we have the elders of a church overseeing a "missionary organization. But they are not to oversee the teaching done by the "missionary group, by the organization "Operation 6'68 they are just to oversee the "organizational and operational procedures of this visionary (there is that word again, LGR) endeavor." Can you believe it? I think, but I can be wrong, that vrother O.J. Russell knows better than that. I am sure that he did know better before he left the "antis and went to the "liberals. If the elders of Central in Portland did not know any better, it, does seem that some of the preachers connected with this "Operation. 68" would know better. Yet, the elders appointed Calvin Hall, a member of and a preacher for the Keizer Church of Christ, Salem, Oregon, to work as coordinator between members of the group and the eldership at Central. Why did not "Operation 68" appoint their own coordinator? Hall is a "traveler" in the organization, not a member of Central in Portland, yet the elders appointed him as coordinator! As brethren F. B. Srygley and C. R. Nichol will want to say, "Pshaw!"
This "Operation 68" is not the church; it sent "a group of dedicated representatives" to the elders at Central in Portland to request them to take the oversight of the organizational and operational procedures of this visionary endeavor, and to make final decision "in matters of coordinating working forces, expenditure of funds, site selections, etc." Does the "etc" include the oversight of the teaching to be done by the "visionary missionaries" in Brazil? Are the elders to have the oversight of the dues paid, by the members of the organization "Operation 68", paid to the treasurer of the organization? How can they scripturally? Or are they concerned about the scripturalness of the project which they rightly call "visionary"?
But this is not all. What is the purpose of "Operation 68"? "The Master Plan was to go as a group to the country that would be decided on and establish an orphan's home, school, hospital, and church in one of the-larger cities." ("Operation 68" News Letter put out in May or June, 1963, last page). I just wonder if the institutions to be established are listed in importance of the institution or not. Where is there New Testament authority for an organization, other tthan the church to establish a church? I could not help but think of the apostle Paul and Barnabas being sent out under the direction of the Holy Spirit and their purpose to "establish an orphan's home, school, hospital, and Church in one of the larger cities!' (Acts 13:1-4). Verse 5 of Acts 13 says, "And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews..." They established churches (Acts 14:23).
Men from Operation 68 are going among the struggling churches of the Northwest, which as the word is commonly used is itself a "mission" field, presenting and introducing 0 '68 to them. They are signing up travelers and boosters. I just wonder if they are urging the churches to support "Operation 68" with contributions from the treasuries of the churches. The article in the Chronicle by brother Russell says that "Northwest Churches Back 'Operation 68' Group," but I realize that this may be the work of the editor." But, yes, the Chuches, at least, one church is going to support this Missionary Society. In the message from the elders of Central Church in Portland, in the latest "News Letter the statement is made, "The Central Church has put Operation 68' in its budget and plans to contribute substantially to this work." They state further, " — nor is it within our power to secure financial support for individuals within this fine group.' But, in the next paragraph they say, "We are urging that churches and individuals everywhere begin now to help these young people by having fellowship in this great work." By "fellowship" here they do not mean pie and coffee, but money. They continue, "regular monthly contributions are presently needed to build the operational fund so vitally necessary in financing this great work." After stating that communications and contributions to "Operation 68" may be sent to "c/o Central Church of Christ," Portland, they solicit the prayers of brethren in this matter. I pray for the elders of that church that they may study the word of God and ask Him for the wisdom and the courage to be guided by that word and to teach, as brother Lemmons states in the quotation at the beginning of this article, "God is silent regarding the organization of any unit within a congregation;" and "He is likewise silent regarding the organization of any unit larger than the local congregation, and through which whole congregations may work to carry out the mission of the church."
"Operation 68" is certainly not the congregation. So, it is either a "unit" smaller than or larger than the congregation, one or the other. Brother Lemmons says in harmony with the word of God "that this ('local congregations') is the only unit of organization authorized in the scriptures." But these young people with the help of some preachers have organized an organization smaller than, or larger than, and other than, the local congregation, and therefore stand condemned by the teaching of God's word as set forth by brother Lemmons. Brother Lemmons says also, "Because God is absolutely silent on this question" (of forming any organization other than the local congregation, LGR) "we hold it to be the sin of presumption to believe that any such organization pleases God."
This group, "Operation 68" will not only "establish an orphan's home, school, hospital, and church in one of the larger cities," (incidentally, since the money contributed to "Operation 68" will go for an "orphan's home, school, hospital, and church," would not this be the church, that puts this organization in its budget, supporting the human organization, such as schools and hospitals? Are brethren in the Northwest ready for this? LGR), but "After becoming established in a given location, satellite groups would be sent out to surrounding areas. The home base will then become the jumping off place for others coming to this country as missionaries." So, this "Operation 68" would have all "missionaries" under their control who go to Brazil. I wonder about the brethren that are already preaching the gospel in Brazil? Will they bow down to "Operation 68" when it gets there or be put out of business? The word "satellite" as used in the above quotation means "something attendant, accompanying, or related, but subordinate or secondary." (Webster's Intercollegiate Dictionary.) So, the mother group, Operation 68, that will establish the "orphan's home, school, hospital and church" will send out subordinate groups to be "missionaries..." That suits the first definition that Webster gives of the word "Mission," namely, "1. A sending forth; now, Eccl., a sending forth with authority to preach, and administer the sacraments."
Of course, I am sure that it will be charged that the writer of this article is against preaching the gospel. Such charges are to be expected from those who are set on a course and intend to follow it regardless of whether it is scriptural or not. But it does seem that brethren, if they cannot learn from New Testament, could learn from the history of restoring of the church in the United States and what took place as a result of the organization of the American Christian Missionary Society by a number of brethren in 1849. The church was divided, the apostolic pattern of the church was marred, and now the Christian Church stands as a self-acknowledged denomination and as a monument to the result of forming an organization other than the local congregation to do the work of the church assigned by the head of the church, Jesus Christ. And yet, mature brethren will permit inexperienced young people, sincere, but untaught, to lead the church into the support of another organization to "establish an orphan's home, school, hospital and a church" to become a "jumping off place" for "satellite" groups to form other such "jumping off places." We pray that the members of this organization Operation 68 will disband this unscriptural society and that each member of it may submit himself to the Lord and to the elders of the church where he is a member according to the will of God and from henceforth be directed by a "Thus saith the Lord."
— 693 Chemeketa St., N. E., Salem, Oregon