Mission of the GSMCOC

Considering the “mission” of Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ, the Catholic Church has a prayer :

“Look not on my (or our) sins, but on the faith of the church.”

I don’t believe bible support for such a concept can be found.

On the day of Pentecost did the 3,000 who were immersed and … the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved, assume a responsibility as that group (the called out)? As individuals?

The “Great Commission” was given to individuals and not to a group. Associating with other Christians does not relieve us individually of our personal responsibilities.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, "… Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

While as a group “the called out” can take on a mission, no mission is automatically assigned to the group. No matter what the group collectively does, individually we will answer for ourselves.

Does the Bible support the concept we often hear that, an individual who cuts the grass or cleans the building (as a volunteer) or prints bulletins or takes out the trash and on and on, fulfills their individual Great Commission responsibilities? How much does our personal salvation depend upon what the group does?

Whatever we determine the mission of Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ to be, individually we are not relieved of any responsibilities.

What “mission, do we as a group want to take on that will help us fulfill our individual responsibilities?

When Songs Disappear

When Songs Disappear

 

One music historian estimated that 500,000 Christian songs have been written over the centuries of time.  Most singers today have a repertory of Christian songs that are far less than 1,000 songs.  This means that most songs that have been written are unknown in our age.

 

Most songwriters begin their creative career with a favorite style of song that they want to emulate as they compose their new songs.  If they are able to create quality songs, then those songs will be popular as long as the chosen style of those songs is popular.  If people lose interest in a specific style of singing, then most of the songs composed in that style will fade away.

 

There was a time in the past when people sang songs in the minor mode.  That style of music has vanished in the Western church, so the artists who wrote in that mode are forgotten.

 

For more than 200 years the gospel song was a popular song style.  Most of songwriters among churches of Christ in the 20th century wrote gospel songs.  I can remember attending song-writing classes where the universal assumption was that the gospel song was the normative model for any new song.  Today most people have little interest in learning new gospel songs, so many of those song writers are fading into the background.

 

Austin Taylor was a songwriter in the first half of the 20th century.  He wrote songs for evangelistic meetings and for congregational singing schools.  He was successful in promoting his songs, so several of them became popular for a time.  In recent years his fame has faded because his songs are no longer popular.

 

In the last 35 years the most popular song style has come to be known as the "praise song".  People who are successful in composing songs in that style are today's popular composers.  People who are still writing songs in the gospel song style are finding themselves ignored as people rush by in their quest for the newest praise song.

 

Some day history will repeat itself.  A new style of singing will become popular.  People will lose interest in singing praise songs.  Praise song composers will fade into the background as singers search out the newest songs in the newest style.

 

There are always exceptions to the historical model we have described to you.  Every style of Christian song that has been popular has had a few composers who have composed some fantastic masterpieces.  Those rare gems are still sung in most modern churches.  When you survey a major hymnal you will generally find a few songs in every style that survive on the pages of hymnals.  Most hymnals will present a balance of diverse styles.  But the more ancient the style the greater the demand for high quality.

 

Public Worship or ?

Society is too busy to reflect and think. Benjamin Franklin often spoke of discussion groups he participated in on various topics of the time. You might be surprised how many of the authors I have read write about regularly scheduled discussion groups they participate in to discuss subjects of interest both professional and personal. Such groups expose one to new ideas and possibly cause the participants to consider other ideas than only those they come up with.

On the subject of elders, preachers, and worship what we practice cannot be found in the Bible and when challenged, we claim expediency or tradition without really exploring the subject. Examples are: the church is experiencing a dearth of preachers but suggesting men may want assistance to go and preach to the lost instead of being a hired hand to preach to the already comfortably saved and to run the local congregation, by proxy if elders are involved, is not tolerated. There is a similar lacking of men seeking to be elders, but suggesting that men do not find it appealing to be saddled with total responsibility of running a local congregation and all of the accompanying stresses is possibly even less tolerated. People do not want to consider anything other than what they already "know" to be "the truth."

"Public Worship" (on Sunday) is not a Biblical theme. John 4:23-24

" … But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

does not command us to worship God. That text assumes that people will choose to worship God. The commandments in that text deal with how to worship God (in Spirit and truth). The woman at the well is obsessed with an ancient issue about where to worship --- at the ruins of a temple on Mount Gerizim or at the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus said the time is coming when the issue of where to worship will be irrelevant. Where will not be an issue, rather how to worship.

Most of our people have never explored worshiping God in spirit and truth. The phrase "in spirit" in John's gospel means the emotional dimension of worship:

John 11:33

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.

John 13:21

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

while the phrase "in truth" means the rational / intellectual / factual dimension of worship (John 14:6)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Most members of the church of Christ are opposed to emotionality in worship (no clapping, no lifting of 'holy hands', no "Amens", etc.). We favor a rational-only approach to worship. So, we need to explore John 4 in greater detail and let Jesus guide us into a balanced approach to worship.

Nowhere does the Bible say "Go to church to worship God." But 1 Corinthians 14:26

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

(in its context of verses 23-25)

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

we are told that everything that happens in the assembly must contribute to the goal of building up the local congregation. Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

tells us the assembly serves the purpose of mutual encouragement and motivating one another toward love and good deeds.

Community worship is one of the ways we encourage one another. But in an assembly context we do have five acts of worship. Preaching is not worship. 50% of most assembly time is preaching. Singing is not always worship (examine songs like Soldiers of Christ, Arise / Send the Light / Angry Words, etc.) Most prayers are not worship (70% of most public prayers is seeking God's help for sick people).

Too Many Church Words

When we use common English in place of church words some concepts are easier to comprehend.

 

Saved by Grace turns out to be saved by the kindness of God.

 

Saved by Faith is saved by the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

 

Preach the Gospel is preach the Good News. 

 

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is immersed by or in the Holy Spirit.

 

Confessing Jesus before man is acknowledging Jesus before man.

 

Maybe we do not understand the Bible because we prefer to speak a different language than that of the Bible.

 

Many of the terms we use are church words that we have via the King James Version, have no meaning to us other than being special church words. They go along with the idea that religion is the heart; life is of the brain and the two don't mix. Like Latin in the Catholic services for all those years. The ludicrousness of it all. People liked the Latin because although they did not understand what was being said it made them feel like they were in the presence of a special person, the local priest.

 

The gospel is good news for those who believe God exists that he loves us and we have access to him through Jesus. Jesus is not the goal, as many think; Jesus is The Way to the Father. The cache22 is no one can come to Jesus except the Father calls them. Try to explain that one sometime.

 

Holy is the translation of a word that means separateness and withdrawal. It, as applied to God, is associated with His pure loving nature and with people who have a personal relationship with Him.

 

Hope is a translation of words that mean confidence, trust, safety etc. The dictionary definition --- a feeling that what is wanted is likely to happen; desire accompanies by expectation.

 

Confess is to acknowledge.

 

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  We talk about increasing our faith and losing our faith. Nothing magical we increase or decrease our assurance of things hoped for our conviction of things not seen. Most people explain faith as belief which is the mental acceptance that something is true, even though absolute certainty may be absent. We are told that Satan believes. Satan has no faith in God, he knows and has seen God so faith is not necessary nor is it possible. Satan believes that what God has told him God will do but he, Satan, will not change. What an ego.

 

Baptism is immersion. Nothing magical just immersion. Peter wrote that immersion saves us, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we discuss the term do we require the people on Pentecost understand more than they did?  When they were convinced they had killed the Son of God they asked what should they do. A word  discussed last night is repent which means nothing to us today other than just another church word. We change our minds and change our direction all the time, we are repenting.

 

Grace, by analogy, signifies the kindness of God to man; again, nothing magical. When asked what the word means we usually hear unmerited favor. How about if it is just the kindness of God towards man? As with the word church, grace has, overtime, been changed to mean many things that it does not mean. We say grace before we eat?

 

Sanctify is to make holy, to set apart as holy; to consecrate (another word we do not understood used to define a term we do not understand); to make pure from sin; purify.

 

Elders: Lead and Respected

Quality of Leadership

One of the most important factors in the growth of any organization is the quality of its leadership. The same is true in the church. The elders of the church occupy a crucially important position. By their knowledge of God’s word, their vision, their zeal, and their consecration to the Lord, they will largely determine the future growth and development of the church. The work of being an elder is one of the most important and most difficult of all works known to man. The responsibilities and the obligations are heavy; the opportunities are great. To be qualified to be an elder and to be appointed to that work is the greatest honor within the church---and the greatest honor which Christians can receive.

Respect for Elders

Congregations also have responsibilities. They are to love and respect their elders. They are to follow the instructions and examples of their elders. Paul wrote to Timothy, “rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren”. Later in the same chapter Paul said: 1 Timothy 5:17-20 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

When Paul told Timothy that elders are worthy of double honor, he was indicating that in addition to honor and respect they also may be paid, as they have need for such pay. The context of the passage indicates that it is speaking of financial help.

Concerning the matter or respect for elders the apostle Peter wrote 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.“ This statement is found in the passage in which he mentions the qualifications and work of elders. In a passage previously mentioned, the writer of the Hebrew letter wrote of respect that Christians are to have for their elders: Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Batsell Barrett Baxter
Family of God
A Study of the New Testament Church

Minority Rule Will Seal Your Doom

I want to mention one evil and vice in church work that can cause so much heartache and sorrow. I believe the policy is so inherently evil and wrong that it will guarantee the demise of any congregation and will make sure that growth is absolutely impossible. 

I am speaking of the Hitler and Stalin attitude of minority rule. Now, in the New Testament church every congregation had its own elders who had the oversight, and its own deacons who served under the elders, as did the evangelistic teachers. However, some congregations have adopted the policy that if one person objects to anything, any matter of expediency, the congregation will not do it. Can you imagine in your wildest dreams any successful American Corporation saying that anytime one stock holder disagreed on matters of judgment and expediency they would not go with the idea? This gives the brother who is born in the objective case and kickative mood a Stalin veto over every suggestion that is made.

I mention this point because I am convinced that such a policy error in the local congregation is so serious that it seals the doom of that church insofar as it ever being a growing and dynamic congregation.

Of course, if any elder or deacon or teacher or member wants to object, let them be heard. Let everybody have his say and nobody have his way all the time.  In other words, when the dust settles, in matters of expediency the minority must give in to the majority, or else we have minority rule, and the Biblical principle of "let every man esteem the other better than himself" is completely destroyed.

I love the story told by the late A. C. Dunkleberger, who was an elder here at the Madison church for years, and edited the daily afternoon paper. He said that many years ago a man on the square here in Davidson County in Nashville traded for a horse and buggy.

He was careful to ask if the horse was well broken, etc. He was assured that the horse was broken and that he was a fine buggy horse; just exactly what he needed.  After such assurance, he paid for the horse and buggy, sat in the buggy, and started home across the river to Madison. Just as soon as he was in the buggy, the horse started running away, and for many miles he ran as hard as he could before the new owner was finally able to stop him. The next day he took the horse back to the seller and explained what happened, and told him that he was given the assurance that the horse was broken. The seller just gave a brush of his hand and said, "Oh well, think nothing of it. Running away is just his natural gait."

Finding fault and criticizing, killing good ideas, and shooting down worthy programs is just a normal gait for some brethren. They are born in the objective case and kickative mood and are just naturally against everything.

Now, one of these good brethren can be tolerated without complete despair when you know that he is not likely to carry the day. After more level-headed and sensible brethren have spoken up, then everything may be all right. However, to place a Stalin veto in the hands of such a brother is absolutely unthinkable.

I would recommend to every young preacher in America to be sure and check this policy out before you accept work as a minister of the local church. If the brethren have the minority rule policy, you can know that the doom of that congregation is sealed and your work cannot be either pleasant, happy, or successful.

I have seen hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of decisions made here at the Madison church over the last 31 years. I have seen every person in leadership graciously give in when it was evident that he was standing practically alone. The Bible teaches us in honor to prefer one another. We must learn to have our say without becoming upset and mad and pouty because we are unable to rule with an iron hand. It is so beautiful to see men in leadership positions able to make hundreds of decisions and move a great work ahead. It is frustrating and intolerable to see a great work scuttled and killed because of an unconscionable policy of minority rule.

Ira North

Balance

Purpose of the Church

If you ask typical church members why their church exists, you'll get a wide variety of answers. Most churches do not have a clear consensus on this issue. Win Arn, a consultant to churches, once told me about a survey he took. He surveyed members of nearly a thousand churches asking the question "Why does the church exist?" the results? Of the church members surveyed, 89 percent said "The church's purpose is to take care of my family's and my needs." For many, the role of the (preacher) is simply to keep the sheep who are already in the "pen" happy and not lose too many of them. Only 11 percent said, "The purpose of the church is to win the world for Jesus Christ."

Then, the (preachers) of the same churches were asked why the church exists. Amazingly the results were exactly opposite. Of the (preachers) surveyed, 90 percent said the purpose of the church was to win the world and 10 percent said it was to care for the needs of the members. Is it any wonder why we have conflict, confusion, and stagnation in many churches today? If the (preacher) and congregation can't even agree on why the church exists, conflict and disagreement on everything else is inevitable.

Unless the driving force behind a church is biblical, the health and growth of the church will never be what God intended.

Rick Warren

The Purpose Driven Church

Elders as Shepherds

The church universal's approach to church organization is intriguing.  Lacking elders we believe it is permissible for a segment of the male contingent of the congregation to run things, while we find it unacceptable for that same contingent to select 2 or 3 or more men to run things. Either way we are organized in a non-biblical order. What is our reasoning? Could it be we each want to be in on the running of things? That being correct deferring to a body of elders will be difficult.

 

One of the issues muddying the waters as to how elders relate to a congregation is the non-biblical use of preachers. For a group big on commands, examples, and necessary inferences we somehow come up with a preacher for the saved with responsibilities including but not limited to: producing a weekly publication, visiting the sick and shut-ins, marrying and burying the members, teaching at least one class each week and entertaining the congregation twice on Sunday. He must be "sound", think like the congregation and be on-call with perfect hair 24x7.

 

Within the last year Max Lucado stepped "down" (his word) from the pulpit and became a member of the congregation. He likened it to a university president resigning and becoming a member of the faculty. If nothing else good old Max has an ego. It is safe to say the elders at that congregation are a board of directors deferring to the president.

 

I am fascinated with the shepherd analogy. Shepherds do not "reason" with the sheep. If one goes off on a tangent the "rod and staff" come into play. That hook is not just for looks. Do you suppose the belligerent and obstinate become shepherd stew? Shepherds have been known to put a bell on their favorite or the smartest sheep and let the group follow the bell. All the shepherd has to do is make sure the bell sheep is going where the he likes. Dealing with one sheep is much easier than dealing with a whole flock. And then there is the sheepdog that nips and barks to get the flock to go where the shepherd wants.

 

On the other side, sheep are stupid and cowardly. Instead of fighting or running they will on occasion just lie down and await their fate. Some faint when challenged. They stink and some pee in their beard and if you turn your back on some they will butt you on the butt. 

 

I have long suggested the following:

 

• Preachers will stop running the local congregation and being the main source for congregational news and go off and preach the Gospel to those who are without hope and maybe take some of the congregation with them to learn how;
• Elders will pastor the individuals and do what they must be apt to do and that is to teach and guard;
• Deacons, since they have similar qualifications as the Elders, will assist the Elders in all of their responsibilities under the direct guidance of said Elders;
• The congregants (everyone, elder, deacon, preacher, evangelist, maintenance workers) will take care of the physical property, budget, study, attend, follow the leadership and encourage each other to love and good works and do the work they have been encouraged to perform.

Regards,
John Jenkins

865-803-8179 cell

Gatlinburg, TN
Email: jrjenki@yahoo.com 

Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hyperbole is the Best Thing Ever.