One In Jesus

3. Strategy: “How will we get the job done?” Leaders re-equip members and themselves with whatever it will take to reach for their new future. They plot and prepare for the step-by-step progress that will make the dream come true.

So is there a vision that would simultaneously —

* Preserve our positive insights in doctrine and praxis (how to do things)?

* Allow us to work to end the competition among and isolation of denominations and churches?

* Allow for the preservation of parachurch institutions that support the work of local congregations, such as seminaries and missions support organizations?

* Be true to the scriptures?

Well, I have a crazy idea. I’m very open to alternatives. I’m still in the looking and listening phase of my thinking. But consider this one. Continue reading →

Greg wrote,

My Friends;

Let me first state, for the record, I have never believed that Jay Guin has ever attempted to misrepresent my convictions and I have every confidence that Jay wants to honestly examine the issues before us.

I deeply regret that various personal matters caused me to fail in maintaining the dialog with Jay in our earlier exchanges.

Jay does, however, infer many things from my writings which are not quite what I intended to communicate. As to the matters at hand, permit me to speak to my convictions:

First, I believe we are saved by the grace of God. This grace is conditional, the conditions arising from the nature of the atonement. These conditions are repentance and faith expressed in the Good Confession and in Baptism into Christ. In no way does one earn salvation in the water of baptism, one receives salvation. Baptism is an act of Grace.

Second, I believe that God the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in each person who is baptized into Christ.

Third, while I believe the days of signs and wonders ended with the last one on whom an apostle imparted miraculous powers (late first or early second century), I believe restricting the work of the Holy Spirit to His work through the Bible contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture.

I hope my views on these matters are clear.

-Greg Tidwell

Readers,

Do you see why I say that Greg is my favorite conservative preacher? Continue reading →

Let’s see if we can find answers to some of the questions posed back in this post —

1. Identity: “Why are, we in business? What are our assets and strengths?” Members rediscover who they are and why they exist as a [denomination] in this place and time.

Why are the Churches of Christ in business? What are our assets and strengths? Those are not easy questions.

We began 200 years ago as a unity movement. We became a movement rife with division. But the original vision was a good one: treat as saved all penitent believers. That was a great moment in Christian history, but it’s no longer a sufficient basis for a renewed movement. You see, despite our best efforts to frustrate his goals, Alexander Campbell’s dream is well on its way to becoming reality. That’s how most Protestants already believe.

The Orthodox and Catholics largely insist that those outside their communions are damned. There are some denominations that are the same way. But most denominations would recognize all penitent believers as saved.

100 years ago we organized around opposition to instrumental music and missionary societies, and we were wrong on both counts — wrong because we made both issues salvation issues, contrary to the scriptures. Continue reading →