OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

Gospel Tidings, presently edited by Jim Bullock, is to be edited by Travis Allen starting with the April 1987 issue and will emanate from Denver. This paper serves Churches of Christ of the non-Sunday School persuasion and has news items about these churches as well as many thoughtful articles by responsible writers. Its lead article in the March issue was on "The Church of Tomorrow: What Can We Do Today?" The sub rate is $6.00 per annum and the address is 301 Ramble Lane, Austin, TX 78745.

I attended the conference for more open Churches of Christ at the Bering Dr. church in Houston. This was the third of a continuing series, the first two being held by the Central Church of Christ in Irving, Texas. It was well attended and superbly conducted, providing an interesting and informative program on fellowship through service, including hospital and prison ministries, hospitality apartments, family counseling, worship renewal, and how to overcome the sectarian spirit. Lynn Mitchell, an elder in the Bering Dr. church and co-planner of the event, stated the spirit behind the conference:  "Pride and exclusivism breed separation and division. Servanthood and childlike obedience bring people together."

I also attended the "Christians Only" conference for Disciples of Christ at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. They expected about 150 to attend but got 550, which within itself indicates that the Disciples have a vigorous interest in the meaning of their heritage as well as the direction for their future, which was the nature of the conference. They explored in both plenary sessions and discussion groups such issues as worship, ministry, congregational life and discipline, global mission, evangelism, church and social transformation, and authority. There were two of us there from Churches of Christ and a number from Christian Churches. I was impressed with the vigor and openness with which the questions were discussed. Blacks and women, including black women, were well represented on the program. Position papers of substance were issued by the study groups, concerning which we may have more to say.