Observations
I find it overly humorous and equally frustrating that both the rooted traditionalists and the progressive brethren in the churches are fearful and seem to have a disposition towards the Restoration Movement and the very mention of such movement. I find in humor this common thread that does bind them together though they pull the church apart with their bickering.
Maybe it is the simplicity surrounding the movement, or maybe it is the consent and complacency to be at heart a denomination, I am unsure. After all if their goal was to be simply Christian than what would they have to fear from each other, or to work with one another? Or maybe, the movement calls out their baseless traditions and at the same time preaches simplicity and a common base that ruffles progressives who wish to extend their musical passions.
No matter the reason, unity suffers. No matter the reason, the church suffers. No matter the reason, Christ suffers. So whether you need to lay your traditions at Jesus feet, or whether you need to lay your personal preferences at Jesus feet, until they are laid down neither is fully focused on the vision of Christ. Let’s turn our focus to Christ, not our worship styles, our traditions, our in-fighting, even if we differ there is no excuse for not being able to be civilized and truly work towards Christ’s goal to be one in Christ.
Are we really one if we acknowledge we co-exist, but really never break bread together. Whether you have a praise team, or you whole heartedly are against praise teams, whether you have a Christmas Play or you don’t have a Christmas Play….does this really mean you can’t talk to one another, that you can’t eat a meal together, does it even me you can’t worship together. We disagree with those that live their lives in sin everyday, yet we are able to civilize ourselves to talk to them, why then can’t we find the time or means to talk to our fellow brothers?
Jonathan Tyler
December 8th, 2009 at 9:17 PM
You presume to think that either traditionalists or progressives give a dang about about the Restoration movement or unity. Most of these are clueless about the principles of the movement. The traditionalists are satisfied that they have acheived restoration and are the one true sect. They are so entrenched in sectarianism that they are quite satisfied to build a fence around “Church of Chistism.” They have become just like the denominations they condemn to hell.
The progressives are so concerned with church growth, they want to try any gimmick or marketing technique that they have seen have successful at some denomination or community church. As their numbers are surpassed by growing community churches, they even think they are handicapped wearing the name church of Christ. Imagine that, ashamed to be called, the church of Christ. The River, The Well, The Fountain of Life, whatever name they think will be a successful marketing strategy; as long as it doesn’t bear the name of Christ. I wonder if they will be ashamed to wear the name of Christ in heaven? These progressives often believe themselves smarter and superior to their traditionalist brethren. They are elitests. They’ll hang all they do on one verse. Becoming like the world, so as to win the world. They need to be reminded that befreinding the world is to become and enemy of God. Such consumerism in the church is not of God. But some who are from the world speak from the viewpoint of the world and, of course, the world listens to them. Perhaps, like God, they need to learn to hate evil and despise the ungodly.
May we all make every effort to strive for unity, through a return to the true doctrines of God. May truth and the peace of the Holy Spirit rule. And to hell with those sectarians who block The Way.
– The Sect Slayer