READERS' EXCHANGE

 

The attitude of some of our elders, that they are answerable to no one, hardly comports with my studies in recent years of the meaning of ekklesia (church). It does not refer to the “called out” as much as to their coming together or “assembly.” Church is an incorrect translation. The Greek ekklesia assembled as a democratic body to appoint their functionaries, who in turn were responsible to the assembly. A different view from the hierarchy of today. —Waymon D. Miller, Tulsa, OK

(Waymon has published a very informative study on the role of elders, which is the title, The Role of Elders in the New Testament Church. We will send you a copy for 3.95 postpaid. —Ed.)

I am appalled that educational institutions among Churches of Christ can hold annual conventions (lectureships), displaying every denomination attribute one could name, and then their speakers get up and say “We are not a denomination.” I think they may be as disillusioned as Mary Baker Eddy’s followers who in the midst of poverty, disease, and sickness say that these things do not exist. —Talmadge McNabb, Brown Mills, NJ

That the Churches of Christ are riding headlong into institutionalism to the extent that the terms “church” and “eldership” are held to be synonymous is strikingly revealed In current suits in the courts of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. —Norman Parks, Murfreesboro, TN

I am a veteran in attending the World Convention of Churches of Christ, my first being in Melbourne (Australia) back in the days when they were “preachathons,” going day and night. I was at Edinburgh, Scotland in 1960 and shared the program with Perry Gresham who spoke on Alexander Campbell, and who better to tell of the Sage of Bethany. Then I was in Adelaide (South Australia), Honolulu, and Jamaica. —Gordon Stirling, Victoria, Australia

(Mr. Stirling is referring to the only convention that makes a serious effort to be an umbrella for all heirs of the Stone-Campbell heritage. For this next convention, to be held in New Zealand in 1988, I serve with him on the executive committee. We will be saying more about this important event, but we would encourage you to consider attending this convention and thus make the trip of a lifetime. This convention is called only every five years. —Ed.)