OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

Good news from Alexander Campbell’s hometown is that the Old Bethany Meeting House is being restored, with the outside work completed. Built in 1827, it was the continuation of the old Brush Run Church, the oldest Campbell church, organized in 1811. The building being renovated housed the Bethany church for almost a century before the present Bethany Memorial Christian Church was erected. The old church was where both of the Campbells preached and where their funerals were conducted. In 1966 we opened up the old church for a unity meeting, but ten years later at another such gathering it had been condemned and could not be used. Once completely renovated it can once again be used for special occasions, especially for events that celebrate Bethany’s honored past. When I visit the old church I can see Alexander Campbell serving Communion as he often did, telling the people, “One reason I want to go to heaven is that you will be there.”

New Church of Christ Paper

Of special interest to our readers is the announcement that a new bi-monthly journal, published by leaders in the Church of Christ, will be launched in June. Image will be edited by Reuel Lemmons, former editor of the Firm Foundation, with 24 staff writers from some 18 states, mostly ministers and college professors. The aim of the paper is “To contribute to the maturing of people into the image of the Son,” thus the name Image. Another goal is “To encourage the disciples of Jesus Christ to practice the unity for which Christ prayed.”

This concern for unity will be especially appealing to our readers, though they may wonder how serious this desire is when all 73 of the appointed writers are from “mainline” Churches of Christ, with no “conservatives” or “liberals” or “antis” or premills or non-class represented, and certainly none from Christian Churches, in spite of recent overtures with these brethren. By contrast, when those among Christian Churches recently started a “unity” paper called One Body they liberally made use of Church of Christ writers.

But still we welcome this new venture. While the brochure does not state the sub rate, you could probably receive a sample copy or sub information by writing to Image, 115 Warren Dr., Suite D, West Monroe, LA. 71291. Editor Lemmons can be excused for saying, in spite of obvious facts to the contrary, that the new journal will be “undenominational.” Like politicians who keep mouthing the same old bromides, our editors think they have to perpetuate the shallow myth that the Church of Christ is not a denomination. The Baptist Standard and the Presbyterian Life are “denominational” journals but not those published by Churches of Christ! While fewer and fewer really believe that anymore, our leaders keep saying it. —the Editor

The Arcadia Church of Christ in Arcadia, CA is making plans to cooperate with the Billy Graham Crusade in their area in July. The church has also shown the Tony Campolo film series on “I have decided to live like a believer.”

The volume number on recent issues has been wrong. This is Vol. 27, not Vol. 26. The dateline has been corrected. We also regret late mailings of late, which we hope soon to correct.