READERS' EXCHANGE

 

The longer we live and the older we become the more “liberal” we are because the trivia is pushed aside for the urgent. We also experience grace as we need it. Only those who experience grace can share it. Believe it or not, this church and the school here are the most open I have ever been around in my life. --Calvin Warpula, West Monroe, La.

I appreciate the challenge that the mind matters. So many are unaware of the need to apply the mind to life’s situations. How else can we honor the Creator who gave us that great gift, a computer mind to store up knowledge and retain it. I thrill over the precious memories of 50, even 60 years ago. Praise the Lord! His blessings are beyond my comprehension! Keep stretching our minds. --Rachel Howard, Anderson, In.

My dad had a heart attack and died instantly. He loved and appreciated you so very much. I wanted you to know of his death. You taught him so very much about loving others and expressing that love. I saw dad’s attitude change as a result of knowing and hearing you. For that I want to say thank you. -- Denise (Gamauf) Wiseman, Alton, Il. (formerly Lowell, In.)

When we maintain even one standard for membership that doesn’t come from God, we become a sect of the church. If any Christian is unwelcome in our fellowship by design, systematically, then we have become a sect. -- Steve Goodman, Salem, Or.

Nell is slowly but surely pulling back from the brink. Her unquenchable faith and her indomitable spirit are all factors in her recovery. -- Carl Ketcherside, St. Louis, Mo.

I! is so refreshing to read material like yours. It makes me realize that I am not totally “crazy” in many of my own personal deductions, especially regarding the extreme legalism and the exclusive posture assumed by so many brethren. Within the Black church (there is a Black Church of Christ) there is much more freedom and seemingly an increasing awareness among the younger ministers of a continuing effort to restore the spirit and power of the primitive community of saints. Yes, many Blacks have taken positions postulated by white brethren, but I sense a deeper commitment to the Christ of scripture rather than to the sermons and editorials of our papers. -- a black minister, name withheld

I enjoyed your recent article on youth “ministers.” I become more and more convinced that we should not encourage young men to begin to “preach” until they are about 25 years old. Until then they should engage in study and perhaps short sharing talks in their congregations. We feed the young and impressionable ego and then wonder why we have so much trouble later on. I speak from experience, and wish my own start had been different. -- Thomas Langford, 3703 48th, Lubbock 79413

If it were not for Richland Hills (Ft. Worth) I’m sure we would have left the “Church of Christ” long ago, looking for some place to accept us. For years we struggled with church because we did not want to be sectarians. We discussed how heaven would be if it were made up of people who presumed to be the only Christians, that it would not be such a nice place after all. I could never really believe that all other believers besides us were on the way to hell. Keep up the good work. Don’t let anyone stop you! -- Elaine Morrison, 6217 Cahoba Dr., Ft. Worth, TX. 76135

We appreciate you so much for urging the likes of us to stay put and try to live for Jesus even tho’ the teaching is so far from His truth. We surely know how the brother feels who wrote you about his desire to leave and go somewhere else to worship. You might suggest a tape ministry for him. That’s how we study and gain strength from those who delve deeper into scripture. --Marguerite McSpadden, Dumas, Texas

Your answer to Fern West was read with interest. I too have thought of going somewhere else but it would involve heartache and sorrow. My church was organized in 1900 and my grandfather was one of the first elders. Later my father was an elder. Back in those days we were called Campbellites. I was raised in the narrow traditions I now deplore, but thanks to you and Carl Ketcherside I now view some of my earlier life in the church with dismay. Recently a sister stated in class that no one but members of the Church of Christ would go to heaven, that all others would be lost. Sitting beside her was her second husband, whose first wife was a good woman but a Baptist. A couple sitting in the class has one set of parents that are Church of Christ, the other set Baptists. They had once more come back to church after being driven away by that kind of attitude. I don’t know what it did to them this time. Thanks for listening. -- Gladys Crumpacker, Pollock, Mo. 63560

By the time you receive this issue our bound volume for 1979-80 will be ready. Yours will be mailed to you with invoice enclosed, if you ordered one. Send us your order at once if you want a copy and have not ordered, but send no money. We will bill you. We do not yet have the exact price, but it will be less than our sub rate, which makes the binding free. Besides the double volume we have only two other volumes still available, those for 1977 and 1978, which are 5.50 each plus postage.