An Open Letter To The Stewart Avenue Church Of Christ
Your letter headed - "Missouri For Christ... Through The State Fair 1966" was received by a congregation in this area. Since this church does not endorse nor participate in un-scriptural arrangements in order to underwrite the costs of such projects, your letter was loaned to me, in order that I might give it further study.
From its contents, I conclude that your goal is to move the WORLD'S FAIR EXHIBIT OF THE CHURCH to Missouri. This, I gather, includes an electronic Bible answering device, a special motion picture in color... and also that you plan to build a small theater in which to show this film.
You further state that eight Missouri preachers will be specially dressed in black trousers and gold jackets; and, twelve young ladies will serve as hostesses, in blue satin-like smocks. All of the personnel will possess a knowledge of the Bible, etc., and have the ability to "meet-and-teach".
You then beg for "ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS NOW?" You describe it as "The greatest campaign in the history of the Lord's church in Missouri!" Signed by Ray Mooney, whoever he may be.
Remarks Concerning The Above!!
Several questions are in order: (1) Where is your Bible authority for ONE congregation deliberately undertaking a project which is totally beyond that church's financial ability? Give me ONE passage of scripture, wherein a New Testament congregation created an artificial emergency wherein it was then faced with begging from numerous other churches for monetary help?
(2) Where is your Scriptural authorization for specifying that the preachers are to wear BLACK TROUSERS and GOLD JACKETS? Why not specify backward collars? And, by the way, how do you oppose Catholicism with its special costumes for priests and nuns?
(3) Do your young lady hostesses in blue smocks (satin-like), teach only younger women and children, or will they be engaged in teaching men also? If so, do you consider this public spectacle "private teaching" or "public teaching"? Where is your BIBLE, book chapter and verse, for the church to employ "hostesses"?
(4) To the elders of which congregation are these preachers and hostesses answerable? Or do you look upon this extravaganza as having activated the "church provincial" or "church universal"?
(5) You assert that 4,000 will hear John Allen Chalk on August 26th, and that this will "be the largest number to hear a gospel preacher in one service in the history of Missouri." So, what does that prophecy prove, even if it comes to pass? This reminds me of... "Many there be which go in there at." (Matt.7: 13-14)
May I humbly suggest that you brethren give all from whom you are begging funds, BOOK, CHAPTER and VERSE, which authorizes your project, practice and procedure? Further, will you be willing to supply a debater, and underwrite one-half of the costs, of a two-night or four-night debate in Sedalia, Jefferson City, or elsewhere in Missouri, to meet a preacher of the gospel, in honorable public discussion of propositions involving your project and similar matters? I await your reply.
A servant of Christ, Luther W. Martin 707 Salem Avenue
Rolla, Missouri 65401