READERS' EXCHANGE

 

Operation Toledo

Floyd Rose, who ministers to the Ridgewood Church of Christ in Toledo, Ohio (1818 Ridgewood Ave.), was part of the Fourth Annual Unity Forum held last summer in West Islip, N.Y. Concerning the forum he wrote: “For the first time in my life I thoroughly felt that I was among Christians who truly believe that in Christ there is no racial, cultural, social or class distinctions.” In the same letter he tells of plans of establishing an integrated congregation in Toledo that will have as its mission the slum areas of the city. “Operation Understanding” will be similar to the inner-city work done by West Islip and will use some of the same people.

Floyd Rose is a black man and Ridgewood is a black congregation. Their plans are an exciting departure from the usual real estate ventures. They are concerned with priceless souls and broken hearts rather than million dollar structures and pretentious budgets. But they do need financial help. I commend these people to you, those of you looking for an opportunity to give money to something truly Christian. Why not write Floyd and let him tell you about it?

Pat Boone Speaks His Mind!

For years some of the brethren have been riding Pat Boone, now for kissing the girls on camera and now for playing the role of a drunk. But the latest is his appearances on the TV—programs of Oral Roberts and Rex Hubbard, and for this Foy L. Smith in First Century Christian takes him to task, accusing him of alliance with false teachers. I usually pass over the strikes at Pat with hardly a glance, but there was something different about this one, for Fay, who is a longtime friend of Pat, includes a letter from the star himself. It makes interesting reading, and it is one more illustration that our people are beginning to talk back to those who assume clerical prerogatives. Here is Pat Boone’s letter to Foy Smith:

I appreciated the concern that prompted your letter and article. I received a lot of reaction, pro and con, since the television appearances. My aim, of course, was to make my own Christian statement and affirm my faith in Jesus before some estimated five million people. I felt that this opportunity was too momentous to pass up because of some doctrinal difference I might have with Oral. In addition to this, my father-in-law, the late Red Foley had been a longtime personal friend of Oral’s and Oral had asked me to come on to tell my feelings about Red and discuss our warm relationship that began with my courtship of his daughter.

I say again, I understand your concern and I share some of it with you, but personally I’ve quit assuming that I know God’s mind so intimately that I can say with assurance what He is or is not pleased with. If you remember, Jesus refused his disciples’ request to forbid others who were preaching in His name because the disciples said “they are not of us.” I certainly would differ with Oral on some points, but I cannot tell you that God is displeased with him for his beliefs, or with me for being on Oral’s show, for the simple reason I am not God.

It was with the prayerful consent of my Elders that I made this appearance and we have all earnestly prayed that God would use this appearance for good.

This did not satisfy Foy Smith. He suggests that this “new thinking” on the part of Pat and Shirley Boone may be related to the death of Red Foley, Shirley’s father. Anyway they are now “witnessing” for Jesus and Shirley has been radiating her love for the “real” Jesus. As for Pat’s not knowing the mind of God and therefore unwilling to judge Oral Roberts, brother Smith has the pat answer, even if it isn’t Pat’s. The Bible reveals the mind of God, we take the Bible for what it says, and so we know the mind of God. “If Pat doesn’t know what God is pleased with or not pleased with, then he needs to study the New Testament,” says Foy with apparent seriousness. It is just that simple!

Well, I will only say that the Foy Smiths had better hurry, for the day for this kind of obscurantism in Churches of Christ is about over.

The New Upsurge

It seems there is a new upsurge of Christians who are disgusted and disappointed and shaking off the sectarianism of Church of Christism; I hear of this from every angle. It is wonderful to be free from the shackles of sectarianism, even in the Church of Christ, and know you can think for yourself, without worrying about the payroll.—Germany

I agree with you: a sense of humor is virtually non-existent with our brethren. You did give me inspiration for an article which is still in the formative stages now, but I’ll let you see it when it’s done.

Incidentally, for my trouble, you needn’t proffer a hot dog, a coke, or a bag of popcorn. I’d rather a donation be made to the Reuel Lemmons and B. C. Goodpasture retirement funds.—Texas

Some of your work I agree with and some I disagree. I read after I get in bed and I find places I would like to ask questions about if I was with you. But being an elderly woman I forget my questions.—California (82 years old and still growing!)

I appreciate your interest in healing our shattered Brotherhood. I hope and pray it will come about. I hope I can help it to come about.—California

Always remember that there are a great many who are praying for you.—New Mexico

There are certain “gospel” papers I like to take because they are a perfect fit for my bird cage, but your paper does not fit this category. I not only read yours but I keep them as well.—Texas

I see many encouraging signs across the horizon.—California (a traveling evangelist, non-mainline variety)

I have just discovered Restoration Review in our school library, and I have begun reading as many of the back issues as we have available. A group of concerned students here at ........... have begun an “underground” effort on our campus, and I was pleased to find many of our views expressed in your publication. I realize the dangers inherent in dealing with God’s dynamite and in bucking the establishment, but I pray that only God’s purposes might be furthered and only good comes from our efforts.—somewhere in Midwest

Front Page in Nashville

Nashville may be our only city that covers its entire county, and that county (city) has more Churches of Christ in it than any other in the world. So we might be expected to make the front page of the Nashville Tennessean occasionally. It happened when John McRay, teacher at Lipscomb College, resigned his position as minister of the Otter Creek congregation because of a “Tongues” dispute. Several in the congregation were speaking in tongues in private meetings in homes. The minister preached against tongue speaking and otherwise used his influence to stop it, all to no avail. He found the elders not only unwilling to invade the private experiences of those involved, but even sympathetic with the claims of spiritual renewal. So the preacher called it quits. They tell it around Nashville that John McRay was under pressure from the college officials to straighten out that tongues thing or get out. It all sounds like a case of a congregation winning its freedom from both clericalism and institutionalism. It is happening these days, you know.

Back Issues

I can hardly wait to read the back issues of Restoration Review.—Oklahoma

You may also have the privilege of reading back issues of this journal, for we have them on hand dating back to 1959. Two of our prize numbers, for instance, are those with Carl Ketcherside’s essays on The Ground of Christian Fellowship (Third Quarter, 1963) and Agape Foundation of Christian Fellowship (Second Quarter, 1963) . There are many other exciting subjects along through the years. The quarterly issues (prior to 1964) are 35 cents, of which we have but 9; while the monthly issues (since 1964) are 20 cents each, and we have all the 57 that have been issued thus far. Since 1966 we have them in bound volumes at 3.00 each.

Go to Australia!

The World Convention of Churches of Christ, which meets only every five years, is to assemble in Adelaide, South Australia in October of 1970. This convention is within the framework of the Disciples of Christ, but effort is being made to make it a gathering of all facets of the Restoration Movement. That the next assembly is to be in Australia is especially significant to the Churches of Christ in this country, for our people will find much in common with our brethren in the country down-under. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to make a great trip, with chances for side trips on the way down and back. Moreover it would provide a unique opportunity to meet a part of our great brotherhood that we have neglected.

Tours are being arranged that fit the pocketbook even of one with a modest income. Write us if you think you might go and we’ll share more of the details with you. One important detail is that the disciples in Australia are hopeful of opening their homes to us from the States. What an experience that would be, sharing in the common life with native Australians!