OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

George Vins, the Russian Baptist minister exiled to this country, is telling audiences that the church in the Soviet Union is alive and well, that it is vigorous amidst persecution. He rejoices that East and West meet in Christ. Imprisoned time and again for preaching Christ, he was last year deprived of his Russian citizenship and exiled to the United States. He presently heads an organization that reminds the world-wide church of the persecuted believers in Russia.

A group of concerned Presbyterians known as Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns states that its church should go on record as affirming the value and dignity of every human life, including the unborn child. It rejects the blanket endorsement of abortion for convenience or as a means of birth control.

David Pieratt, a Church of Christ minister, visited the Scrabble Creek Church of all Nations near Smithers, West Virginia, a church that drinks poison and handles snakes as part of its public worship, there being no law against such in that state. When the floor was opened to anyone who wanted to give a testimony, David spoke at length from his New Testament, challenging the peculiar practices of the church. While he says some gnashed at him even while he spoke, there were some that seemed to be impressed. Those who gnashed at him were people, we are to understand, not snakes. Snakes are known generally to behave rather nobly except when molested by a predatory, such as man.

There is a new “walk-out” congregation in San Francisco with the name of San Francisco Church of Christ. They were a part of the Lake Merced Church of Christ. Their mail out says they will “continue in the rich and glorious heritage and traditions of the Church of Christ and its dedication to the principles of the restoration and reformation of New Testament Christianity.” Those who left say it was because of an impending inquisition of some who choose to be free in Christ. If you desire to contact the group, write Charles E. Gillen, 428 13th St., Oakland, CA 94612.

Dan McCaghren, pulpit minister for Southern Hills Church of Christ in Tulsa, tells in that church’s weekly publication of praying for a radio preacher that he would usually consider “the enemy.” The prayer was: “Father, bless this man as he proclaims truth and forgive him when his message goes awry,” which is the same prayer he prays for himself. He then says: “Confession time! Intellectually I know God is not limited to my own theological ballpark. Yet emotionally, I still struggled with anyone or anything not labeled ‘church of Christ.’ While ‘back to the Bible’ is my banner, I am trying to retire from the bench and turn in my gavel. It is no small matter for one proficient in handing down indictments to ‘pray for the enemy.’‘’ Our Tulsa brother is speaking for many of our people.

Intercessors for America is an organization calling upon believers to pray for America. They have periodic days for prayer and fasting so as to combat the “flood-tide of evil that is touching the smallest to the largest nations.” Intercessors from 21 nations recently gathered in England to pray for the nations of the world. India’s 700 million has less than 3% Christians, but Christianity is the fastest growing religion. The government is leaning toward Russia and Communism. Intercessors are praying together for freedom of religion in India and unity among Christians. If you are interested, write for their newsletter: Box D, Elyria, Oh. 44036.

The editor of this journal will be in Seoul, Korea during Thanksgiving week conducting a retreat for a Church of Christ.