OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

Our church here in Denton is sponsoring a missionary effort in London called Disciples House (52 Courthope Rd., London NW3 2LD), led by Vic Hunter, former editor of Mission, and Phil Johnson, the purpose of which is to build a family of believers dedicated to the renewal of the church in the inner-city of one of the great cities of the world. This is planned as a long-term effort, and it needs some friends who will both support it and become a part of its mission, even if from afar, and even if the gifts are small. They need regular and sustained help, month after month, for years. Our church believes you will get good mileage for your benevolent dollar. A committee in our church, chaired by an airline pilot, carefully supervises the business and keeps all donors well informed on what is going on in London. If you are interested in helping us meet the high inflationary problems in London, you may write directly to Disciples House or to Dave Killen, 2908 Golden Circle, Denton, TX. 76201. Mailouts about the mission are available.

The Napa Valley Christian Church in Napa, Ca. is considering a name change, to Napa Valley Church, “a non-denominational Christian Church.” They may also do away with “Membership,” and thus become simply the Body of Christ for all who choose to be a part.

The Church of Christ in Stroud, Ok. is doing something really different. Rather than to put a picture of the church on the front page of their bulletin, as is common, they put pictures of the real church, people in their congregation in action.

The Brookvalley Church of Christ in Atlanta makes public its benevolent budget, which ran almost $19,000 in 1980. This went to the hungry, rent for the needy, clothes, medical care. And this is a special fund called “Good Samaritan Fund” and does not include money spent from regular church treasury.

A news letter from Wycliffe translators discusses their reaction to the martyrdom of Chester Bitterman, one of their translators in Columbia, South America, killed by guerrillas. They saw the murder as an attempt to drive the translators from Columbia, but Wycliffe people say they are there to stay and will even step up their operation. They predict that the murder of a believer will touch some Columbian hearts who will eventually have their own Damascus Road experience and join the cause.

Ervin Waters, onetime champion debater for non-class, one-cup Church of Christ, has for many years now given his life to preserving the unity of the Spirit. He gets lots of flak from his old friends, and it is a joy to see how he moves above sectarian loyalties in a sectarian world. He is now publishing a journal called Fellowship Forum, Box 3821, Temple, TX. 76501, which is free for the asking. If you read him, he will take you inside an arena that is probably much different from anything you’ve known before, and I do mean arena!