Is it only those of us in the Churches of Christ who write articles on “Why I Am a Member” of my denomination? It’s a common theme among us in the Churches, and that is likely not a good sign at all.
That said, here’s a really good one. I can’t tell for the life of me who wrote it, though.
(Why, oh why, do so many of our members put up blogs with no name or identifying information of any kind? Maybe the intent was to be anonymous. The author seems to be a very gifted writer. I’d like to give proper credit.)
Based on the comments it looks like a fella named Wayne Beason. Maybe?
Thanks for your kind words Jay! I wrote this, but never thought to sign it; until today, only my friends and family had ever read my blog.
And yes–there do seem to be a ton of CofC folks writing about “Why I’m a Member.” I have a hunch that this might the result of some sort of identity issue or familial shame. But I’m still new here, so I might be way off.
Do you have any guesses?
Author appears to be Wayne Beason (http://afriendlyemptiness.wordpress.com/author/waynebeason/)
Sorry. The other comments weren’t showing up on my page when I posted.
In my humble opinion, a lot of blogs aren’t signed because there is still a fear of speaking out. I have found that too often, ministers who write blogs really don’t want them publicized. Their followers know where to look, but the blog is almost a secret. I also think that the blogger minister is doing his best to keep everyone happy. His elders and his congregants get his old style sermon and his young followers get a blog posting. This is not the most ideal way to do intergenerational ministry, but seems to be the going method.
Now I said male ministers here, but that Is only because there are more of them. The growing group of female cofC ministers just say or write what needs to be said and figure they will be disregarded for their gender or respected for what they said or wrote, regardless of their gender.
The young would say that blog postings would make really good sermons and the old, entrenched congregants would likely be appalled at some of the topics being discussed. (P.S. Get out the Torah and start reading and you will find laws regarding incest and other topics that do not make for great dinner conversation.)
The more one reads the Text, the clearer it becomes, at least to me, that there is little significance to the group where with whom one worships, beyond the type of considerations that Wayne outlines.
Certainly, the label on the outside of the building comes as close to “meaningless” as is possible.
I was raised in the C of C, I enjoy a cappella singing … prefer it, but don’t mind, accompanied songs, either.
I wish more women were willing and allowed to participate in public worship assemblies.
And I will continue to advocate these points, as is appropriate, at the congregation where I worship.
But, as I have said to the elders at the congregation where I worship many times, my wife and I will continue to be a part of that congregation, so long as we have something to offer to the congregation, and are allowed by circumstances to serve in the ways we can.
When that is no longer possible, or needed, we will likely begin to worship somewhere else.
Too often, but certainly not always, people leave one congregation for another because of something they don’t like.
The way I read the Text, that reflects a self-centered perspective which conflicts with Jesus command to love one another as he loved us.
So, it’s not about me, it’s about everyone else.
P.S. I think this talk about being a “member of a local congregation” is unsupported by the NT Scriptures … but that’s a whole other topic!
David
Good point. There are many great churches that are not COC. Most do a good job at making people feel welcome and for the most part are Christ centered. Yet, like people they have glitches. Even Paul told the Phillipian church he had not gaind perfection but encouraged us to be mature.and seek the mind of Christ.
I pray that we all become more possessed with the mind of Christ and tell others about the joy we share over our salvation. I pray, that like Paul we can be slaves or happy servants to Christ. A bond servant works off a debt. We can never repay the gift he has given us.
Grace and peace to all who struggle with faith. A blessing to my brothers and sisters in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Wayne,
Fair enough to turn the question on me. The answer is, I think, pretty straightforward. Those of us who are restudying the religion of our youth have no choice but to ask the question. When I was a child (I’m 59 now), Church of Christ doctrine and practice was very uniform and, in retrospect, very legalistic. There were, of course, many good things, but the gospel was taught legalistically. A lot of people were miserable, knowing they could never meet the demands of the CoC “gospel.” Others became arrogant — as a defensive mechanism to justify feeling saved despite the impossible requirements of our legalism.
The majority of CoC members have now left or are in the process of leaving the old legalism behind and finding a new world of grace — and discovering many more brothers and sisters in Christ than the old legalism would admit.
Well, when you realize (a) that yours is not the only denomination saved and (b) other denominations found grace, the Spirit, and many other truths long before yours did, you have to ask why you should stay. If there are other choices, why make this one?
Studies show that many have chosen to leave — at both the individual and congregational level. Plenty of congregations have dropped the CoC name but remain connected with CoC institutions. Others have left entirely. Why stay?
Some stay because they really like what their particular congregation has become or is becoming. Some stay to be an influence for freedom and grace. Some stay because of family and friends. Some stay because they like the CoC distinctives — weekly communion, high view of water baptism, congregational autonomy. Some feel called by God to stay.
Some leave because there are no congregations nearby that teach the true gospel. Some leave for the sake of their children. Some leave to experience a different style of worship.
But because we are a denomination in transition — “liminal” is the word for us — the question of “What’s next?” has to come up — and will continue to come up.
I like the spirit of Wayne’s blog post, and I am refreshed by his experience. It even makes me wonder if there might someday be a real place in a CoC for charismatic believers with a vision for the church in the city and a soteriology of faith. Certainly there are CoC’s full of loving, welcoming folks who “live better than their doctrine”. Maybe someday…
I am not Church of Christ, but I did attend Jay’s church for 7 years and I know that if I were to go today I would still be very much welcome and that is what kept me there for so long.
David, I agree that “membership in a local congregation” as currently practiced is an entirely extrabiblical notion. And I have offended many by referring to local congregations –accurately, I believe– as “religion clubs”. But I think I have discovered that it is not club membership which is the trouble. It is exclusive membership which is the ungodly creature. I think there were people who were “members” of the household of Stephanas or Chloe or Narcissus, but did not think of themselves as such at the expense of being part of the church in the city of Corinth or Rome. It is autonomy which divides the church, not simple subsets. I don’t know if the clubs can be saved, or converted to being merely part of the church in their city. Perhaps the habit of autocracy is too addictive. But even where I don’t have actual hope, I can at least fantasize once in a while.
It’s not just CoC writing “Why I Am a…” pieces:
http://www.fishersbaptist.org/why-i-am-a-baptist.html
http://pastorasher.wordpress.com/12-stump-the-pastor/stump-the-pastor-why-am-i-a-methodist/
http://drewdowns.net/emergence/why-i-am-still-episcopalian/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2013/03/why-i-am-a-catholic.html
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/CY-WUU.html
http://thepopeofpentecost.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/10-reasons-why-i-am-pentecostal-12112011-morning-worship-sermon/
And that was just the first half-dozen groups that came to mind, and the first non-historical, non-commercial hit for each.