Gospel Advocate November 2008 Editorial, Trojan Horses:

 

 

I agree with your concern that modern-day Trojan horses are appearing within the church of Christ. You mention certain brethren have carefully worked from within for more than 50 years, gathering followers etc. That coincides with the 50 years of uninvolved parents, unsupervised Youth Ministers, Youth Rallies with mixed messages, preachers riding roughshod over local leadership and unqualified and Bible-illiterate Elders. Congregations setting up rules such as no smoking, no long hair, no earrings, and no casual dress any of which disqualifies one from serving Communion or leading prayers. Being confident we have the Sunday "worship" correct what the Bible says about loving, serving, evangelizing does not mean us. Congregations relying more on the "Restoration Fathers" than the Bible. Trying and failing to explain how "women being silent in the church" does not include singing and commenting in classes. Trying and failing to explain how women serving communion is usurping leadership roles designed for men. Claiming we are commanded to worship although we cannot find support for that assertion in the New Testament. Trying and failing to explain how listening to announcements is worship; singing to each other is worship; praying for ourselves is worship; contributing primarily to our own comfort is worship; listening to a preacher is worship. The writer of Hebrews said we meet to encourage each other to love and good works. Paul said everything should be done for the building up of the congregation. Tradition says "No! We meet to worship!"

 

Considering we say we rely on commands, examples, and "necessary inferences" it is fascinating how much we do is without any of those.

 

The problem yet addressed is the "Traditional" is not working. Churches are fading away. We read comments about the lack of young men wanting to "fill the pulpit."  Can we find the concept, in the Bible, of contracting with a man to preach to the congregation twice on Sunday, to teach one or two classes each week, publish a bulletin, visit the sick, preach funerals, marry our members, all while being on call 24x7? Has anyone considered these young men do not want to run a local congregation? Maybe they want to preach the Gospel to the unsaved. Why would anyone want to preach to a congregation week after week year after year when research shows that within 2 hours no one remembers what the sermon was about? These are the same people who want to fire the preacher if he is not entertaining or preaches too long.

 

I agree with your concern about the Trojan horses but I am willing to admit the church must try something different than what has failed the past 50 years. Sesame Street changed the way schools teach. Still teaching the same reading, writing, and arithmetic but in a different way. The Gospel is the same we must take it to people in ways different than they did it during the Restoration Movement or even in New Testament times.  Of course "traditional" congregations will not like it; generally they do not evangelize now.