I like Churches of Christ.
There...I said it.
There are some who would likely argue I'm an enemy of our movement. But I really like our movement. I've never called another church home.
In fact, I'm about as Church of Christ as one comes. I've got the pedigree. I'd put Paul to shame. By my count, I'm a 9th generation member of the Restoration Movement (a movement that birthed Churches of Christ, Independent Christian Churches, and Disciples of Christ). I was named after Collin McKinney, an ancestor of mine who was baptized by Barton Stone and who planted churches in north Texas. McKinney, Texas and Collin County are named after my namesake.
I'm the preacher at a Church of Christ. I've been raised in a Church of Christ. I've been taught by Church of Christ professors. It's all I've known. And I'm grateful for it (most of the time)!
But I'm also critical of Churches of Christ. I've got enough skin in the game to critique us. I think I'm experiencing what Leroy Garrett described as "A Lover's Quarrel."
So, in an effort to work through my "daddy" issues (What do you call issues with a whole movement?), I've decided to begin a series to remind myself and others of the "things I like about Churches of Christ." Because while I'm a bit embarrassed about our quirky uncles and strange cousins, it's my tribe and I've got a lot to be grateful for.
Over the next few weeks, join me in a conversation about Churches of Christ. Whether you're an ex-member, enthusiast, or member of another faith tribe, please join me in a discussion about our history, present, and the hope we have for the future.
We're not the whole kingdom, but my prayer is that Churches of Christ have pointed people to the kingdom in the past and will learn to be more faithful in the future.
What are some things you value most about Churches of Christ?
6 comments:
Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
One thing that had us come back to a Church of Christ (even after a rough experience working for one) was the focus on the Bible. So many other churches we walked into had amazing music and programs and tons of people our age... but little to no scripture in the teaching. It was bizarre. We finally went back to a Church of Christ because despite all the things that make be a bit crazy about it, I knew there would be solid Biblical teaching. That is a dealbreaker for me with church.
One of the things I honor about our tribe is the focus on care for children. It is a fact that many men and women have worked to put together children's homes and orphanages many years ago. In the imperfection of humanity, the heart was true and many, many children have seen Christ.
I like that I can go anywhere in the world and worship with a different group of this movement and still feel at home.
One of the things I love about the Churches of Christ is the way God has and continues to be at work among us. We're not perfect people but through God working in the Churches of Christ, I am a Christian and so are many others. Through God working in the Churches of Christ, many people have been blessed by God's steadfast-love, his mercy and justice...be it an orphaned child as Shiann points out; those who have been through very difficult points in their marriage; those who have lost their homes and belongings in a tornado or hurricane; and so on. Though we have problems, as all church tribes do, God has and still is powerfully at work in us and among us for his mission and his glory.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
The thing I love about the church of Christ is you are able to attend service in the evening if you work Sunday mornings. And you all sing together with no Instruments.
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