WILL WE SELF-DESTRUCT?
Douglas Hale

It appears that what we call “the church of Christ” is bent on destroying itself. Everywhere one looks congregations are in trouble —members are leaving, preachers are being fired, elders face tremendous stress, young people are discouraged, contributions are down. If a congregation is not facing these difficulties at the present time, it will almost certainly have to deal with them soon.

Is there something built into our system that causes such turmoil? Are we doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over? I believe the answer to both questions is yes. Unless we change some of our attitudes and beliefs, the church of Christ will one day be just a memory, only a footnote in church history. What is it that we must change?

First, our preoccupation with doctrine and issues. Our history is clouded with divisions over issues such as Bible classes, Communion, congregational cooperation, instrumental music, missionary societies, premillenialism. Even now we are facing the threat of further division over the role of women, divorce and remarriage, the meaning of baptism, spiritual gifts, and fellowship. There is no end to such controversies. We will never come to complete agreement on these matters.

So how can unity and harmony be realized? By focusing on one thing, the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. On this we can agree and it is the only thing that really matters!

Second, we must change our emphasis on personalities. Our history is marked by division over strong personalities such as preachers, elders, editors, college presidents. Certainly we have had many great leaders among us, but to follow any man is destructive. To allow any human being to determine where and when we will attend church, or what we will believe, or what causes we will support, is a grave mistake.

Men are just that - men - with sins, weaknesses, blind spots, errors, and all the other blemishes that go with being human. While we should love people and develop loyalties to each other, our trust and obedience must be to one Person, Jesus Christ.

Third, we need to change our attitudes toward material things. Too often our attention is centered on buildings, budgets and attendance. These things are not bad in themselves, but Christianity is not really about such things. People can be Christians without a building at all, or when they have one located in a poor part of town. They can serve God whether they have a budget or not. They can be faithful to Him by themselves as well as in a congregation of a thousand.

It may sound like a worn out cliche, but we must focus our attention and energy on Jesus Christ and we must guide others to honor him as the sovereign Lord. Theology, personalities and material things must all be brought into subjection to Him. Then the church of Christ will experience unity, continuity and growth.

“Christ is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything” (Col. 1:18). —2816 54th St.. Lubbock, Tx. 79413