ClarkeComments.com

Hello all:

Many of you may be aware of a new website out there focusing on unity within the Restoration Movement. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, go visit Restoration Heritage and see it for yourself. The site has been up for less than a month I believe, and there are tons of conversations going on there…best of all, its open and welcome to everyone inside, and out, of the Restoration Movement.

I went ahead with the permission of the board owner and replaced the forum on Restorationmovement.org with the forums at Restoration Heritage, and added an RSS feed on the front page so that you can get a quick glance of what is occuring there.

Thank you to Bob Hogue for the link and information.

-Clarke

Hello all:

I subscribe to the Gospel Advocate. My Grandfather subscribed to it as well. I enjoy reading it - usually.

I received my March issue today and found that the issue’s special feature was “Dangers Ahead: Roadblocks to True Unity.”

I read the first article by GA President Kerry G. Anderson and was appalled. I expect the Gospel Advocate to be against Instrumental Music, and I expect them to generally be against unity with the Independent Christian Churches. I expect them to tout the “Law of Silence” and how they believe that Instrumental Music is unscriptural.

What I do not expect from them, is a lack of truthfulness and a lack of integrity.

The first page of the article starts out by asking “If our beliefs on issues like worship, roles of men and women, and baptism are right, why should be apologize?” The article (and other places in the issue) goes on to talk about how Church of Christ leaders are being asked to apoligize “for causing the 1906 Division.” I’ve not heard anyone ask for an apologee, not once. Not on any of the discussion boards or blogs that I frequent. No where. Where is the evidence?

In the second to last paragraph of the article, Anderson states that he has been to various “worship services” where “a woman has preached, someone has spoken in tongues, the Lord’s Supper has been ommittedon Sunday, babies were baptized, unbaptized believers were welcomes as forgiven as sinners, and candles and incense have been given as offerings.” This is not a description of any Independent Christian Church that I am aware of. Independent congregations are much like Church of Christ congregations, except with Instrumental Music and occasionally a more relaxed stance on the roles of women - but not preaching. Anderson might have visited some Pentacostal Church somewhere, but he certainly didn’t see that at an Independent Christian Church congregation - they wouldn’t allow any of that any more than a Church of Christ congregation would. Anderson might be confusing an Independent congregation to a Disciples congregation, but even the Disciples don’t do all of those things.

My advice to the Gospel Advocate: If you don’t like something in the brotherhood, fine - teach against it, advocate against it, persuade others you are right, but don’t lie about it.

I’m not a fan of New Wineskins, but if the Gospel Advocate keeps it up, I’ll be switching my subscription over…

-Clarke

Hello all:

Phil Spadaro over at Restoration Unity has asked me to host a discussion on the ICOC Unity Proposal here.

I’ve not had time to review the proposal myself, but I will be reading it shortly and joining in the conversation.

Check out A Plan for United Cooperation and let us know what you think.

-Clarke

Hello all:

The Office of the General Minister and President of the Disciples of Christ has instituted a program called 10,000 Disciples Praying. This is an effort by Disciples President Sharon Watkins to get 10,000 Disciples and partners praying for the future of the Disciples of Christ.

I would urge each and every one of you to sign up and commit to pray for the Disciples. When you sign up, it asks for some information from you, as well as the name of your congregation and where it is located. I believe that a large amount of members from other Restoration Movement churches would show some solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Disciples and show them that there any many of us that have a heart for unity.

I’d like to challenge every COC, ICOC, and ICC blogger to sign up, commit to pray, and advertise the program on their blogs.

-Clarke