OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

      In August Ouida and I had a bang up good time at the World Convention of Churches of Christ in Long Beach, along with upwards of 2,000 others from many countries. Arriving a day early we were able to case the joint, walk along the beach, and dine at a quaint place in Shoreline Village. It was the first time in ten years that we were able to get away together like that. The convention was super. Fred Craddock, the main speaker, was inspiring. We heard Disciples and Independent Christian people who regularly attend their own conventions say the WCCC has a quality not found in the others, the international flavor being one. There were over 300 from Australia and New Zealand, and delightful sisters and brothers they are. There were only a few Church of Christ folk present beside ourselves, but those that were there insisted that it is too great an experience not to be shared by more. So, for the next WCCC in Calgary in 1996 we are planning to get the word out better than we did this time. Since I did the Bible study guide for the convention and addressed the layman's breakfast, we had some very special experiences. Ouida felt like a celebrity since she met so many people who had read about her but had not met her. They wanted to know how she pronounced her name!

      Just before we left for Long Beach we suffered the loss of my dear sister, Joann Jones, who died in Dallas at age 79 on July 30 of cancer. She and I were very close and had gone through a lot together. A widow, she bravely bore much tragedy in her life. She always said she wanted to go first, for she wouldn't be able to bear my leaving her. It was very sad. There were seven of us boys and she was our only sister. Only three of us remain. The grim reaper takes no furloughs. One day 18 of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren crowded into her hospital room to say goodbye. She donated her body to science. A memorial service was held for her at Stevens Park Christian Church near her home. She was an avid reader of this paper, and she would probably joke with me that she would never want to be found dead in this column. She almost made it! Ouida and I are not all that good at singing, but along with praying with my sister in her last hours, we sang to her and we believe she recognized the hymn that reflects her faith: 

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead

me on, help me stand

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Thro' the storm, thro' the night, Lead me on to the light

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

      Things have so changed in Eastern Europe that Billy Graham can now hold a first ever stadium crusade in Moscow, which he does this month. It has not been all that long since Bibles had to be slipped in and church life was severely restricted. And now the gospel can be freely proclaimed in a great stadium. Wow!

      Two of our preachers in the Church of Christ are going to have a debate in Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 30-Dec. 4, at the West End Church of Christ. The proposition is interesting: "The Scriptures teach that all divorced people, including those whose former mates are still living, may, with God's approval, enter and maintain a marriage with another person." Olan Hicks, Searcy, Ark., will affirm, J. T. Smith, editor of Gospel Truths, Tulsa, will deny. While it has not always been the case, the majority of those in Churches of Christ, including the preachers, would now come nearer agreeing with brother Hicks, and he is one reason why that is the case. The issue, which has caused lots of grief among us, has been an extended crusade for him. Both are good, sincere men. It should be conducted in a fine spirit.

      The Catholic Views Broadcast, Inc. has issued a mailout in defense of Dan Quayle's controversy with Murphy Brown. Their lead question: "Should single mothers be glorified on television?" It charges that the sexual revolution causes family breakdown, crime, violence, and leads to babies whose parents aren't married. It calls for grassroots support for the embattled vice-president.

      I am impressed with a new Methodist preacher in our town. He hit the ground running, telling people that he is a Christian, first and last, who happens to be preaching for the Methodist church. I would also be impressed if our preachers had that spirit, "I am a Christian who happens to be preaching at a Church of Christ." Once we transcend our sectarian thinking like that, unity among all Christians will be on the horizon.

      Ouida and I listened with interest and some concern to both political conventions, especially the acceptance speeches of Bill Clinton and George Bush. We also watched in disbelief as Ross Perot withdrew from the race. He would have made it more interesting and would have helped sharpen the issues. As the election nears we recommend the Quincentennial Election Prayer issued by Eternal Life, an organization of Roman Catholic laity, which reads in part: "Enlighten the minds of our people during this quincentennial year of the discovery of America. May we choose a President of the U.S., and other government officials, according to Your Divine Will."