Take a moment to read this June 9, 2013 story from the Daily Record newspaper, published in Scotland. And then read this view of the events reported in the Brotherhood News, an electronic news service associated with the more conservative Churches of Christ.
It seems that a group of Church of Christ missionaries, closely tied to Apologetics Press, began serving as volunteers in a couple of Scottish public elementary schools. As part of their mission work, they passed out anti-evolution material to the children. They also allowed the children raise $350 to help pay for the construction of their new church building. This was all done without the knowledge or consent of the children’s parents.
According to the Daily Record,
Many parents at 400-pupil Kirktonholme Primary in East Kilbride only realised their children were being exposed to the evangelical group’s agenda when kids brought home alarming books they had been handed at assembly.
The creationist books, defended by head teacher Sandra MacKenzie, denounce the theory of evolution and warn pupils that, without God, they risk being murdered in a harmful, disgusting world.
Parents have called for emergency talks with education chiefs, where they will demand the sect’s removal from the school.
More recently, the Daily Record published these reports —
The facepainted man behind extremist agenda at Kirktonholme and Greenburn schools
The missionaries believe that there are only about 700 saved people in Scotland (or the United Kingdom — the stories aren’t quite consistent) because only members of the Churches of Christ are saved.
Obviously, I believe, and I’m sure the readers all believe, that we are called by God to send missionaries throughout the world, and Scotland is a place in need of missionaries. So is Tuscaloosa, Alabama (where I live, in the heart of the Bible belt). The question on the table is not the appropriateness of sending missionaries to Scotland. I’m good with that and would encourage that.
Also, while I don’t buy many of the arguments made by Apologetics Press regarding creation and evolution, I really have no interest in young-earth-creationism arguments, pro or con. Let’s assume for the sake of argument (lawyers say “assume arguendo“) that the missionaries are right on that subject. Even if they’re completely right regarding the age of the earth —
* Are the methods used by these missionaries righteous — that is, do they conform to God’s will as to how Christians should interact with the world?
* Do these methods involve sound missiology, that is, is this an effective, intelligent way to bring to the gospel to lost people?
Finally, it seems appropriate to add this from the Scottish poet Robert Burns —
O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
They shouldn’t have done these things without the parents’ knowledge.
2Co 4:2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
OTOH there comes a point at which some people will not like the Christian message regardless of how nicely it is delivered. And they might kick us out of a few places as a result. We can’t change the message to avoid those reactions. If they persecuted Jesus, they will persecute us also.
First of all, in answer to your questions: No & NO.
Secondly, if Progressive congregations choose to hang the sign Church of Christ on their buildings then they owe it to the people of Scotland, as well as to those of other areas when needed, and to themselves, an apology, in the best way they know how, that rings loud and clear.
When I was a minister back in the seventies there was a group of people from a Non-Corporation CoC that visited a Baptist Revival in town. During the entire sermon the group made comments that could be heard by all, sometimes laughing out loud. When I heard of the incident I made it a point to write a letter of apology to the Baptist minister; and to my surprise, the elders of the congregation expressed their apology in person to some of the Baptist members they knew personally. Some may be asking, “Why did you have to apologize? You weren’t the one who acted rudely” My answer is that I personally feel that there are times when humility and deference are in order for Christ to be recognized in our presence.
Apology is good for the soul, for individuals and churches. I have had to apologize for my own careless words in the past, and if there were some people standing in front of me at this moment I would truly ask their forgiveness for the un-Christ-like manner in which I claimed to be presenting Christ to them. In being children of God we own the burden we create, and sometimes pick up and carry the one created by “family”.
Jay,
What was the point of this post?
And what does it matter that the Brotherhood News is “associated with the more conservative Churches of Christ”?
The Daily Record reporting comes across an example of yellow journalism and sensationalist. An exmaple of the reporting:
“One of the church members, Evelyn Galvan Graciano, 22, from Mexico, describes Scotland as “a place full of darkness and emptiness that is in a big need of Jesus”.
And she has told pals she uses classes to get into the heads of Kirktonholme pupils. She said: “They all are very receptive and willing to listen and learn.
“Hopefully at least we can let the kids know who Jesus is. Maybe someday that seed we’ve planted can be grown by God.”
Outside of the Daily Record’s articles, do you have the other side of the story?
The most alarming part is that they are teaching that church of Christ people only are saved. And, you can bet your bottom dollar, only church of Christ people exactly like them. I wouldn’t want them around my children.
On Apologetics Press’ website, #8 under “What we believe” is this statement. “Salvation is by means of obedience to the Gospel system, involving faith in God and Christ, repentance from sin, confession of faith, and immersion in water for remission of past sins, coupled with a life of growing consecration and dedication.” They showed their hand. “Gospel System”. The Biblical record includes no “gospel system” but rather presents a gospel Savoir and sinners who are saved by grace through faith in Him.
Dave Miller was the genius apologist who wrote a book condemning the largest church of Christ in the U.S. for adding “one” service with instrumental music.Some apologist.
The Brotherhood News also deletes comments posted to their blog if they don’t agree with what you wrote. I must commend Jay and many others for not deleting comments even if they dont completely agree with them. I had two of mine deleted recently, and I only took a moderate (progressive) stance, not a liberal one. The forbidding of discussion and debate is a not what the cofC needs.
The congregation where I worship sponsors a missionary couple in Peterhead, Scotland. They are aware of the story, in general terms, and it’s causing a lot of stress among their local congregation.
If people read the news story in the Daily Record, note that it ends with “if you have a story about the Church of Christ” contact them.
This story is a poor example of how to reach people with the gospel.
Scotland is generally viewed as a “post-Christian” culture. So, organized religion does not have much credibility. This story re-affirms that view. Notice the writer’s description of the C of C as a “sect”.
sad story
Hi Jay,
It wasn’t all that long ago a missionary was someone who went to a far off place at great sacrifice to bring the gospel to a people who had never heard, and who had no church nearby.
Today self-styled missionaries go to places where gospel churches already exist in order to plant their franchise where Jesus Christ is already reaping a harvest (http://www.eastmainsbc.co.uk/).
Now, if Jesus Himself is already reaping in a place and forming His own body, why would someone come along and do their own ministry there without working together with the church of Christians already there?
Is it because Jesus is impatient/upset with the church already there and is sending more folks in to do what they won’t /can’t? We never see that in the NT.
Or isn’t the more likely scenario that we love schism and glory in starting franchises our own style of church while distrusting all others?
I’ve written on this if interested – an article that applauds genuine missionary work – planting the gospel where Christ is not known.
But mostly, it calls church planting the awful sin of schism when it is done in places where the gospel is already believed and where a church that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ already exists. (http://www.churchsonefoundation.com/planting-schism/).
Thanks, and Lord bless.
The focus of seeking and saving the lost is NOT to demonstrate that evolution is wrong. This is so far off the mark of the gospel message that it is ridiculous. In addition, their deception in this issue demonstrates a distinct lack of character. These missionaries have done serious harm to the cause of Christ and obviously aren’t missionaries in the Biblical sense. I am shocked and amazed by their behavior and it goes to show how the CoC in some quarters is clueless as to our purpose on earth.
I think it should be pointed out that we haven’t heard the other side of the story. I have yet to hear what the West Mains Church of Christ has to say about all this. I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt since we all know that the news media is usually more interested in liberal secular ideology than facts. The bias in the Daily Record is blatantly obvious.
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. Proverbs 18:17
The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. — Thomas Jefferson
Royce, I concede Apologetics Press’ could have used better wording, but Salvation is by means of faith in, and obedience to “God Almighty”. and Jesus did not leave us to wander in the wilderness searching for the way. Jesus gave us the “WAY or system” which ever you choose to say .
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Get Religion at patheos.com had an article on this yesterday that is worth reading.
http://www.christianchronicle.org/article/scottish-tabloid-calls-church-of-christ-an-extremist-u-s-religious-cult
Jay, The Christian Chronicle has had some good coverage on this story. They have spoken with some of the folks there. Their report helps with some added perspective. In the comments section of the article post, Bobby Ross and Erik Tryggestad share links to some local follow-up. Tabloid sensationalism to be sure. On the other hand, perhaps not the best judgement used all around by the church in question.
Link to the article that George M mentioned:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/getreligion/2013/09/a-scottish-tabloid-libels-the-churches-of-christ/
Some interesting comment dialog here too, including local CofC folks.
Not much love or grace being shown in this article for people who love Christ and work hard to let others know it. Apologetics Press approaches the creation-evolution issue in a much more simplistic way than I prefer. However, they do say good stuff often. I learned a long time ago that most journalistic reporting is greatly exaggerated and often wrong on the facts.
I believe Jesus said HE was the “way.” We are saved by grace through faith, and not of works… Salvation “involves” faith.???. SMH..
Price, we sometimes forget what else Jesus said, especially if it don’t fit neatly with our own formed belief.
Jhn 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
” I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me,”
It is strange to me that Jesus ALWAYS gives the glory to his Father. and the progressives never do.
So easy to armchair missionary and eat our own…
Let’s hear it from the horses mouth. Ie myself as a person whose family attend kirktonholme school. We Scots have plenty of Christians here. We do NOT need missionaries of Any religion from USA coming here to indoctrinate our kids. BY all means believe what you want but don’t come here and foist it on us. What bloody arrogance!
I have a Scottish friend who was a member of West Mains up until about a year ago. This latest dustup is creating serious backlash against Christians generally, and is a challenge to her own more-rational witness among secular Scots. This sister is an engineer and former atheist who came to Christ in part by the witness of some members of this congregation. She was later asked to leave by the elders for asking too many doctrinal questions of the elders in Sunday school class and in private. She maintains a friendship with one of those elders. Through this sister, and the difficulties she endured, I am pretty well acquainted with the dynamics of West Mains. The missionaries tend to be even more narrow than the Scottish church members. In this case, it appears that– as is often the case — that the more they talked, the more they generated negative attention.
It should be noted that the school situation in Scotland is different than here, with religous information being generally welcomed in the schools. Over here, secularists try to scare local schools out of any religious connections by waving “Islamic extremists” in our faces. In Scotland at the momemt, the scary extremists are CoC. The CoC’s general insularity and refusal to embrace any Christian denomination but their own just makes people more likely to identify them as a cult.
People have been talking about Jesus in Scottish schools for years. Clearly, the local folks did not see the CoC’s approach as positively as they do the ministry from other denominations. Please note that just because a news story gives your denomination a black eye is no reason to start disputing it with no effort to discern more facts. That sort of assumption is pretty arrogant, IMO.
And a large “Amen!” to Ted’s post. There is a big difference between church planting and simply trying to carve out market share for one’s own brand. The biggest congregation around here, which is celebrated for “church planting” all over, plants new franchises right here in Texas, but won’t let one open up within 30 miles of its enormous Waco mother ship, as that radius is “protected territory”. Egad. How blind we can become…
It’s the one time the progressive cofC wishes it had a hierarchy so that the doers of this could be called down.
But some unethical lawyers make the decent ones look bad too and yet the world goes on.
Charles,
I noticed you mentioned Ted’s post, have you read posts from his own website? As I read his post here I could hardly believe that it was Ted that was posting. I understood his messages on his site to be saying it is unscriptural to have more than one church assembly in a city. One of the major things I saw different from his site is that here he presented the website of a Baptist Church as being a influence for Christianity in the same city as the Church of Christ. As I read his site I understood his comments to be requiring both to be merged into one body if he accepted both to be Christians. If I misunderstood please advise me.
Some corrections…if they haven’t already been offered…
These were not missionaries associated with Apologetics Press. They are an AIM team from Sunset International Bible Institute.
The basis for determining the number of saved people in the UK may be inadequate (church of Christ members-only), but it doesn’t mean they believe only church of Christ members are saved. Church of Christ numbers are often used as a gauge in missionary endeavors because that’s the numbers we have ready access to, and often the numbers people (supporters, especially) feel comfortable with (which may be wrong, but it is what it is).
Third, the news source in the UK that is publishing these articles is very sensationalist…you can tell that just from the first article and their choice of picture (the face-painted guy).
All that said, I don’t agree with all the team did, or how they did it. And, in full disclosure, I am a Sunset alumni, and I know a member of the team.
Larry, I haven’t looked at Ted’s website, I was just commenting on his post regarding church planting. I can say that the only biblical picture we have of the church is that of a single church in a city. The church is not depicted as some local corporation, but as a collective term for the believers in that city. That has nothing to do with “assemblies” which were clearly varied and tended to be more along household or relationship lines. See Romans 16 for a indicative picture. The idea that we all have to meet in one place at one time is silly, and completely extrabibical. Just as extrabiblical as our current system of autonomous religion clubs, each calling itself “a church” and having no intention of surrendering its identity to the body of Christ as a whole in that city. All that said, I certainly don’t reject other believers because of their current religion club membership. Indeed, to do so would be to reinforce the division which already exists. Or, if such a thing is possible, to make it worse.
Charles,
I am also of the opinion that the church is within individuals and these individuals are one church in the World. Assembled individuals are never to be considered as The Church singular, apart from other believers whether in a city or country.
(Eph 4:4 NIV) There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called– 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
If there are multiple churches (assemblies) then they all have to be of the same body. If anyone attempts to separate into different churches or assemblies calling themselves separated from another church or assembly they break the one body into pieces. This is not God’s design. Different assemblies of individuals that accept all other believers do not brake up the one body of believers.
cthoward,
Thanks for the additional info. I’ll have more to say on this in a bit, but I’m trying to understand something you wrote: “The basis for determining the number of saved people in the UK may be inadequate (church of Christ members-only), but it doesn’t mean they believe only church of Christ members are saved.”
Where I grew up, we claimed not to be the only saved people, but the only saved people had to be carbon copies of us. That is, they had to be a cappella, weekly communion, plurality of elders, scriptural church name, baptized by immersion for the remission of sins, etc., etc. — making it quite unlikely that there would be any saved people other than those associated with the Restoration Movement Churches of Christ — but theoretically possible. Is that the reason a mission organization would use CoC membership to approximate the number of saved people? Not trying to nitpick; just hoping for some understanding.
I entirely agree that the news source is very sensationalistic — and transparently so. Of course, whether the press behaved properly or not, they behaved as they did, and there are lessons in that. We cannot count on the goodwill of the press when we claim to be the only saved people (or approximately so), for example.