It’s not Biblical systems we are attemping but rather pure economical survival. It is a freedom in Christ that exist at the expense of neglecting the poor.

When our theology changes to a radically new priority one interested in living WITH the poor then will see new boundaries. But for now I have to be content with the “well to do” and the influential as a way the church functions.

I believe that Word and Work is still being published. I am not completely sure though. I do have a couple issues here in my office from a couple years ago, though so they probably are.

I can’t believe that someone in your church preaches against premillenialism. No offense but that hasn’t been a real issue in probably 30 or 40 years. There are actually a lot of “historically premillenial” churches (they’re designation, not mine) here in Louisville. In my two years here I have made more friends from those churches than I have from the mainline churches. The mainline churches here seem to be wary of one another. The “historically premillenial” churches seem to cooperate with one another very well and they have welcomed me in. I have found that the whole premillenial issue is not something that is really an issue any more. Some of those people might still hold to that stance but it is not a test of fellowship. And, in fact, they never wanted to make it a test of fellowship in the first place. It was people from the mainline churches that made it a test of fellowship. I, personally, am from the non-class Churches of Christ, and, in fact, I am about to move and begin working for one in Texas. I grew up with those churches and you will find the same attitude in those churches. Most of those churches still do not have Bible class but it is not a test of fellowship. And, for most, it is just now a tradition that they follow and not a position they hold strongly to. And they never made it a test of fellowship in the past. The mainline churches did. I think with the premillenial churches and the non-class churches you will find that, overall, they are much more open-minded and progressively-minded than the mainline churches, except when it comes to that one issue that divides them. Sad that it has happened that way.

I am glad that you have told people about Portland Ave., though, because they are truly one of the churches in our fellowship that is really serious about practicing the gospel, not just talking about it. We need to hold those churches up and try and follow them.

Kent Benfer