READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I passed copies of Body Ministry: Then and Now to all of the board members and there is unanimous consensus that this is where we want to go. We are assessing where we are now and what preparation or steps we need to implement. Plans now are to start an intensive Bible-study, prayer-time, and memory-work group with willing leaders who are FAT (faithful, available, and teachable) with Body ministry the goal.—Rob Blakely, Broadway Christian Church, Bellingham, WA

(We will send you 12 copies of this handout for 1.00. We believe it will give your people a new vision of what is possible, whether the ideas are implemented or not.—Ed.)

I have been following with interest brother Ketcherside’s Pilgrimage of Joy, especially his visits to England. Many of the people he mentions are long gone to their reward, but there are others who are still actively involved with the Lord’s people in this land. I am working with a fine congregation of God’s people here in England, and I just keep preaching the word and watching us all grow. Even though I don’t agree with all that you write, I have yet to meet someone that agrees with all that I say, so I guess we will just have to love and grow up into Him who is the head.—Michael Gaunt, Corby, England

I believe our Lord is working to bring together all those who have committed themselves to Him and at the same time He is refining and purifying our beliefs and our fellowship—Joe and Sue Schaelling, Wichita Falls, TX.

The Presbyterians gave the movement two of its finest sons, Thomas and Alexander Campbell. So, it might be a beautiful Christian spirit that the Churches of Christ, after all these years, “gave” one of her fine, intelligent sons to the Presbyterians! Who could find fault with that sort of repayment for all the Presbyterians have given the Restoration Movement!—Talmadge McNabb, Pemberton, NJ

Man was created in the image of God and as a caretaker of the world and a companion of God. He was not created to be a husband or a father. But here was God’s first disappointment in creation: it was not good that man be alone. So God formed woman, taking from the creation, man and the world to make her. Then God looked upon his creation in general and said it was excellent. The point is that God corrected his “single” creation into a dual, and then it was excellent.—Mary Ann

(If the sister who wrote this will communicate to me her name and address, I can respond. The article and letter she sent had only her first name and no address. - Ed.)

It has taken some of us longer than others to learn that you don’t have to dislove if you disagree. It is a lot more fun this way. - Jerry Ward, Castle Rock, Co

It has been a blessing to live with two bears for awhile. How blest we would be if we would all live with these two instead of being as cross as a bear with each other (Eph. 4:31).—Franklin Bixler, Long Beach, CA

You may not have seen this (enclosed). I read it with mixed emotions, and my thought was: how many “denominationalists” will be converted by this tirade? Can’t we approach them in love and concern rather than with condemnation and bitterness.—Clark Sloneker, Arlington, SD

Having worshipped with the non-instrument group for 30 years and with the instrumental group about as long, the instrument has no bearing whatever in my service to God. I liked the article you wrote in which you said the human voice is a beautiful instrument that the organ often drowns out. I also enjoyed reading about your Upper Room church in Denton. I visited a Church of Christ in Ontario, Oregon that is much the same. They hired a coordinator rather than a minister. They have so much talent that they take turns preaching, with the full-time minister taking his turn, who also serves as president of the ministerial association. The song leader has a master’s in music and teaches at local college. Their singing is out of this world, a real argument against the instrument. But I know some churches who, if they have any singing, had better have a piano, or a good musician!—Rose Temple, Wallowa, OR

There is an Assembly of God minister here who has been “recycling” a lot of discouraged Church of Christ people, one of whom is a graduate of one of the schools of preaching, who was really down. The preacher said your article on Holy Spirit baptism confirmed the conclusion that he had reached on his own, causing him to decide not to renew his Assembly’s license.—Ivan Jameson, Austin, TX