ClarkeComments.com

Hello all:

I recently added the blog of an ICOC member that I found while surfing church blogs. I got an email from the owner of the blog who recommended some different sites that I could link to.

I was just curious if anyone had any positive or negative comments on adding more links to ICOC related material.

While I am glad that some reforms appear to be underway in the Boston Movement, the ICOC has quite a reputation that proceeds it. So, I’d like to hear from anyone who has an opinion on this matter…..

-Clarke

Hello all:

My family and I visited the Oregon City church of Christ tonight for church services. We are thinking about attending elsewhere because of all the upheaval at our current congregation.

On our journey to Oregon City, we stopped by two different congregations and found that neither one of them have Sunday night services. Both have Wednesday night bible classes, but no Sunday night services….. I don’t get why they would have one and not the other.

We enjoyed our time at Oregon City, though. I ran into an old friend that I grew up with, and also found that the associate minister and I went to college together.

-Clarke

What I’m currently reading:

The Other Side of the Keyboard - Milton Jones, College Press.

This book is much more interesting than I ever thought it would be when I picked it up. Jones, a preacher at a church of Christ that has both non-instrumental and instrumental services, details his journey from growing up believing instrumental music in worship is wrong to accepting and embracing it.

If you read this blog often, you know my personal opinions on this matter aren’t solid. Whichever side you find yourself on, you should pick up this book. It is a great read and covers ground that desperately needs to be covered by both sides.

-Clarke

Hello All:

I saw this snippet in John Waddey’s weekly newsletter:

`LECTURES ON HOW TO PREACH

Those who wish to improve their preaching skills for changed churches have the opportunity to attend Abilene Christian University’s Lectures on Preaching, Sept. 15.
“The Reverend Paul Scott Wilson” will share his homiletic insights and skills with you. “He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, as is his wife, whom he assists in an honorary ministry at St. Stephens-on-the Hill United Church…” Among his several publications are “Imaginations of the Heart: New Understandings in Preaching” and “a guide to worship in the United Church of Canada.” (Quotes from Reverend Wilson’s website).

To add an aura of respectability to this workshop, faithful preachers of the Church of Christ, Bro. James Burton Coffman and Bro. Franklin D. Florence who was trained by Bro. Marshall Keeble, will be honored.’

Just another example of how ACU is floating away from its heritage as a church of Christ university. ACU shouldn’t have anyone with the word `Reverend’ in front of their name lecturing on preaching. One of the worst perversions of the church has been the division between clergy and lay-people. The scriptures clearly show that we are all priests of the Lord. Not only does ACU ignore this unscriptural division, they are helping to support it by welcoming ‘The Reverend Paul Scott Wilson’.

If you are looking for a reason to send emails to the administrators of our Christian colleges, here is your opportunity.

-Clarke