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Essay 5 (10-24-03)

RESTORATION FORUM 21 AND UNITY OF THE SPIRIT

Ouida and I returned this week from a trip to Tennessee and Alabama where I addressed two Churches of Christ – one in each of those states – and we attended the 21^st edition of the Restoration Forum in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Forum this time was sponsored jointly by Emmanuel School of Religion and Milligan College, which are across the highway from each other. The sessions were conducted on both campuses.

  While both experiences were expressive of the dramatic changes taking place within the Stone-Campbell tradition, it was our visit with the churches that I found most encouraging in this regard. The Forest Mill Church of Christ in Manchester, Tennessee asked that I lead a special Saturday evening study on the ministry of women. Inasmuch as I had said in one of my newsletters on what Churches of Christ must do to be saved that "We must cease being a male-dominated church," they wanted me to explain myself and submit to questions.

  I was impressed that they were willing for all aspects of women’s ministry in the church to be discussed with no holds barred. They showed a resolve to be honest about what is mandated by Scripture and what is dictated by our tradition. I began by noting that we must draw two important distinctions, one being between what Scripture meant in the first century, and what it means two thousand years later. While we accept this distinction in a "selective" way – such as recognizing that foot-washing, the kiss of love, the agape feast, women wearing pearls and braiding their hair might mean something different today – we are fearful of applying it to what Paul said about women being silent in church. We noted in passing that we are all woefully inconsistent on that injunction anyway, for there is hardly a church anywhere in the world where the women are silent – though they were in the ancient Jewish synagogue, which may have influenced Paul’s thinking.

  The other distinction that should be drawn is between things circumstantial and subject to change and things permanent and changeless. That Paul would say quite unequivocally "It is shameful for a woman to speak in an assembly" (1 Corinthians 14:35) back in the first century doesn’t mean that he would say that in the 21^st century.

  I was so bold as to suggest that in some cases it might be OK to disagree with Paul. He gives us permission to do so in that he allows that we are to follow him only as he follows Christ. Too, on the question of women teaching he gives us an example in that he disagrees with himself! Traditionally in Churches of Christ we have used what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 to trump what he says in l Corinthians 11.

  The Forest Mill brethren were willing to consider that the roof might not cave in if a dear sister read a portion of Scripture to the congregation, or if she passed the Communion trays. Up and down the aisles that is. She already passes them within the aisles! The women might even form a choir "down front" and sing to their brothers. They already do so in their seats on certain stanzas! In our churches the sisters can do most anything – sing, read, teach, make announcements, make a confession – so long as they are seated and face "the spotlight area" which is tagged Men (and boys) only.

  The visit to the Twickenham Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama was different for me in that it is so huge – much larger than I’m used to. To see my name in bold letters on the signboard out front as the speaker and my picture in the bulletin, and to be introduced by an elder as something of a hero – as one who had helped him out of legalism and sectarianism – was a joyous testimonial to how things have changed for one who was once personna non grata with such churches. And they responded with intellectual grace to my plea that we get back on track and be the unity-minded people we are called to be, both by Scripture and by our heritage in Stone-Campbell.

  We have many friends in Johnson City who teach or once taught at either Milligan or Emmanuel – most of whom are members of the Christian Church. The Restoration Forum gave us a chance to see some of them once more. The night following the Forum about thirty of us got together for an agape feast. We made it a story-telling affair. A joyous fellowship. Some thought our Lord’s day assemblies should have something of that spirit.

  The Forum itself was another testimonial to the exciting changes that are taking place. Leaders from Disciples of Christ, Christian Churches, and Churches of Christ were involved in meaningful, brotherly dialogue. When we first started such efforts almost a half-century ago it was difficult to get anyone to attend, but now we have hundreds. Then it was hardly politically correct; now it is abundantly acceptable, sponsored by colleges and churches alike. Back then the walls that divided us seemed impregnable; today they are being ignored. Women – from all three churches – were on the program.

  We are learning that the unity of the Spirit does not necessarily call for "church union." Congregations of our common heritage may all be in proximity to each other – separated by preference and circumstance – and still be one in Christ. Unity is accepting each other as Christ has accepted us, with loving forbearance in spite of differences. It is doing things together, as we have begun to do.

  An example of this is The Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia to be published next year. The three editors, one from each of the three churches, gave a progress report at the Forum. Some 200 scholars from all three churches have contributed to the 900-page production – covering virtually every subject possible – that is destined to be the most significant publication in our history. Team work, to be sure, but it is more than that. It is the unity of the Spirit. If we can write an encyclopedia together -- issued by an international publishing house -- we can do anything together!

  The Forum invited those present to enter into "A Covenant of Prayer" based upon Ephesians 4:3: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

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