Preacher search

I read the article “Hiring a new minister?” by Lindy Adams with great interest. One thing I especially admired was the emphasis on the ages of these ministers. I myself am only 25 years old and in my years of preaching I have found that young ministers are often overlooked in a search for a new minister. I have always wondered why no one has ever written an article on “Why do churches hesitate to hire young preachers?” I believe one reason for our preacher shortage in the church today is because our young ministers are usually overlooked at congregations with over 100 members. When they are passed up at larger congregations they will settle for a job in a small congregation of 30-45 members. While working there they have to bear a load they are not equipped and qualified to handle. Unfortunately, many of them will quit preaching after serving as the pastor/preacher at a small congregation. I personally know of some that have even quit the church. Why can’t large congregations look for young ministers to groom, equip, and be led by a godly eldership, and let the seasoned older ministers work in a smaller church where they can be more effective? Also, why is it that age is such an issue? In the recent past I watched a 40 year old minister, recently converted and with no education, be hired over a twenty-three year old young man that was raised in the church, had two degrees from a brotherhood school, and was the son of a faithful gospel preacher. Now, in all honesty is something wrong with that picture? If we were not Christian ministers we could cry out “Age Discrimination!” However, I tend to think of things in a positive light. Maybe we can learn from our past mistakes and build a stronger church. Give young ministers a fair shake and cut them some slack. They may be the next Gus Nichols, Ira North, or Marshall Keeble, and God knows we need more of them in the church!
(See: Hiring a minister? The process itself is a new world - The Christian Chronicle )

Darren Ray Reynolds
Albertville, Alabama

As one who has recently been involved in the minister selection process, I read with interest Lindy Adams' article on the front of the January, 2003 Christian Chronicle. Reading the piece, I fear the author gave an incomplete picture of the process, dealing as she did only with large, predominantly Bible Belt churches.

Here is the reality for the rest of us: The vast majority of churches with unfilled pulpits rely on the prospective preacher to make the initial contact. Thus, their pool of candidates is limited to those who express an interest. However, a well placed advertisement with a Christian college career center website can attract 20 or more resumes per month, mostly from preachers who have already decided to leave their present work.

Most churches have neither the resources nor the interest in 'hiring away' someone currently preaching for a congregation. After all, if a preacher can be lured by your money, he can be lured away from you by someone else's. No one likes a bidding war.

Fewer than one in six congregations in churches of Christ has more than 200 members. Thus, their interest will be in a 'general practitioner,' not a specialist accustomed to working with a large staff. The resources they can devote to the search process will also be limited.

Advanced degrees are expensive. At Lipscomb University, with the tuition discount they offer to ministers, an MA costs roughly $8,000. An M. Div. can be double that, or more. For churches, especially small churches outside the Bible Belt, helping the minister recover the cost of his degree through salary can be prohibitively expensive.

The average career preacher who takes his first work during or immediately after his time in a Christian college or school of preaching will change congregations six times before his 32nd birthday, and three more times the rest of his life. Thus, the pool of candidates from which these small, resource-limited congregations can draw will be dominated by younger men, who may or may not be married and who may or may not have children.

Many small churches are also constrained by time. After all, there are only so many men who are even willing to deliver a Sunday morning sermon. Soon, the willingness to 'fill in from within' runs out and elders (if there are any) are pressed by their congregations for action.

Large churches have 'bid up' the cost of experienced, trained, talented preachers with families for the rest of the brotherhood. The salary expectations created in ministers by large (especially Bible Belt) churches make it difficult bordering on impossible for smaller churches to compete. These high end salaries have also begun to trickle down to less 'marketable' preachers, leading to a nationwide increase in preacher salaries and concerns from elders about what sort of preacher they might be able to afford. In large cities, where congregations find themselves competing for members and their contribution dollars, this can make the selection process a financial decision more so than a spiritual one. In small-town churches, especially those in rural areas, this can make hiring anybody cost-prohibitive.

Yes, hiring a preacher is hard, prayerful, careful work. But when God sends the right man to the right place at the right time, the result is beyond all we could ask or imagine.

Ben Wiles
Wichita, Kansas

McKean of ICOC
(see: Kip McKean resigns as head of ICOC - The Christian Chronicle )

The ICOC teaching is sufficiently different from my own beliefs that I choose not to be a member. I have been a member of the church of Christ for 40 years. I have several close friends that are in leadership positions in the ICOC. They are Bible scholars and serve God with all of their heart, mind, body and soul. I have the highest respect for them. If God's grace is sufficient to cover me, I have no doubt that I will meet them in heaven some day.

I appreciate the Christian Chronicle's wide ranging news coverage and stories across the broad spectrum of the churches of Christ. It helps me to see that although we are a body, we are indeed not all hands, nor all feet, nor all ears - especially not all ears.

Dwight Evans
Cedar Park, Texas

The tragic thing about the International Churches of Christ is that they simply carried to the extreme the idea of works - salvation. To be a member of this cult means a daily existence of walking on egg shells. Kip McKean engrained fear in his people. Disobey Kip and you're on the way to Hell. Young women were told to lose weight or face the wrath of God. If a man found a job opportunity in another town and he moved there without the elder's permission, he was disfellowshipped. Their members were told who they could date, where they should work, and what they should do with their spare time.

David Morehead,
Lakewood, California

Thank you for your recent article about the Kip McKean resignation – this is certainly news that the Christian Chronicle should be covering. It could also prove significant in the months and years ahead: if the International Church of Christ's (ICC's) central leadership loses some of its hold on individual congregations, it is possible that some congregations will begin to moderate, and even to fellowship again with Churches of Christ rather than (or in addition to) the ICOC.
By the way, speaking of Howard Norton's editorial, 'Second Thoughts on Boston', it seems Kip McKean's response to this 'historical article' in 1987 did much to set the tone for the schism that followed. …

Dave Anderson
New York City
dave@rightcyberup.org

I know many hearts was made glad and a heavy weight was lifted from a lot of people by Kip McKean's decision to review his faith and return to the faith that he one time shared in the Church. It is so sad that he has to suffer and bear the scars but God will forgive and hopefully Kip can feel a stronger abiding faith and now even do a greater work.

I see the idea of the 'Restoration Movement' as we began to individually study and pray about what 'faith in God's Word' really is . I see through out history of God's people trying to go on to improve on Gods' plan. As a 75 year Christian of some 50 of study, prayer, and decisions and my years who has made many mistakes and failures to stay with the principle of the ' silence 'of going forward from the written word and stepping out on a course that seems right but the end is sorrow, pain, and involves lots of hurt in God's Family. I am now firmly committed to affirming the written word. While many good ideas are put forth and seem right, looking back and with thought and prayer I see the idea that Eve advanced. It looks good and it must be o.k. I see 'faith ' as what I believe the scripture teach me it means. My prayer is that we will all become 'One ' in scripture, faith , love, and hope and try to acheive God's work in God's way as recorded in his written word.

Looking forward to the Day when Christ will return and claim the 'Faithful' . Lets strive to put that on the top of every challenge that we are faced with this written faith based will of God.

Charles C. Smith
Arlington Texas 76016

Survey of faculty attitudes

In response to the article, 'Faculty survey will query work, motivation, mission', it would be interesting to survey faculty that are church of Christ members and teaching at community colleges, four-year colleges and universities that are not associated with churches of Christ. Having been a faculty member at a Christian college and also at a non-Christian college, I think the 'spiritual mission' in some areas is different.
Also, it would be great to have a directory of church of Christ members that teach at non-Christian colleges.
(See: Faculty survey will query work, mission - The Christian Chronicle )

Elliott Tyler
Decatur, AL

Appreciate new readers

Thank you so much for putting us on the list for the Christian Chronicle. We received our first copy and truly appreciate it. I was very encouraged to see all that is going on in the brotherhood around the world that I did not realize before.

Dick & Carolyn Wendell
Great Falls, Mont.

January devo lauded

Three cheers for page 30 of your January issue!!! “Well-rooted Christians Weather Life” is certainly worth sharing with others. I will make copies to share in our Bible discussion group (among the Presbyterians here – who are quite pleased with diversity.) It was neat! Also, the editorial, “Oneness promotes, etc.” in your publication. And, to think I almost missed it since all the rest of ‘announcements, workshops, etc.’ come across as “drivel” – for we’re a bit removed from things further south. These two items were powerful for the good that can be shared. And, the “vine” story emphasizes as was noted, Jesus’ insight into the fragile nature of faith; good for us to recognize, too!
(See: Well-rooted Christians weather life - The Christian Chronicle )

M. Dahle
Morristown, New Jersey

More on silence

I read with interest the Jan. 02 letters concerning silence of the scriptures. John 21:25 says that many things Jesus did were not written, if all were written even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. It seems we cannot place undue reliance on silence, unless the subject is disputed elsewhere. For instance, take Acts 20:7- on the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached - no singing, and no prayer is mentioned. Some people think we are to follow the practice of the early church- what the people did, and not what the Bible commands. Then why do we sing and pray?
(See: Letters - The Christian Chronicle)

Beulah Wall
Oklahoma City, Okla.

I am a little late in responding to Stafford North's Opinion column in the November Chronicle, however I observe that the arguments continue, as well they should. I consider his examples of language principle misapplied. For North's specific wedding dinner illustration, of course we would use the 'silence principle' in understanding and following the instructions for the specific wedding invitation he refers to. But that is not the condition we face with understanding scriptural silence nor is his illustration applicable to that. An illustration for understanding New Testament scripture would go more like a report such as this:

'Guests met at 7:00pm at the home of Mr & Mrs Smith on Thursday, November 7th, 2002 to celebrate the wedding of their daughter .'

With such as this, would we understand that all future weddings celebrations had to be in the Smith home, or on a Thursday, or had to be held a 7:00pm, or that there even had to be a wedding celebration? Of course not! This is merely documentation of how one family did it. No 'law of silence' applies to future celebrations. This is what we are dealing with when reading of things the first century Christians did. Without some specific indication that the events recorded in the New Testament have a stated command or inference that such things are to be done that specific way for all time and all situations, we are free to do them in other ways and at other times, or maybe not do them at all. For example, James 5:14 (NIV) reads'

'Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.'

According to North's principle of silence, this would be the only way we could scripturally deal with the sick today. The sick could not call for the preacher to come and pray over him, and the elders would always have to anoint them with oil. By the scripture commanding these procedures, all other ways of administrating to the sick of the church are excluded, right? If not, why do we make such requirements as meeting every Sunday to observe the Lord's Supper and only on Sunday and then only once, as some have read into the scriptural examples of what the early church did. The early Christians met together 'every day' to break bread and praise God. and pray (Acts 2:42, 46). Why don't we? Numerous such illustrations could be sited, with some examples required and others not required by us.

Where is the logic (or language principle, as North describes) that allows us to select some examples and commands as local customs and non-binding (or optional) for us today and others as binding for all times. This presumed 'law of silence' seems to be very randomly and arbitrarily followed in our traditions. I fear we have made doctrines out of the conclusions and opinions of men, and you know what Jesus said about that. It is hard enough to reach common understanding on the specific applications of everything God has said as recorded for us, but obviously impossible to do based on what God has not said. Our movement has 200 years of experience trying to make laws out of silence and it is wreaking havoc among us. Isn't it time to give it up as unworkable as well as unscriptural as a basis of fellowship and unity?

(See: Making the sound of silence in Scripture audible - The Christian Chronicle)

Clarence Richmond,
Searcy, Arkansas (501 268-6238)

Letters published in response to Stafford North’s “Views” in the November 2002 Christian Chronicle have been interesting, albeit typical. There are two points that I would like to make regarding this topic: one specific reply to a letter, and another general explanation regarding my view of the silence of Scripture.

First, Robert Johnson’s letter, published in the January 2003 issue, uses Hebrews 7:14 in making the case that silence can be prohibitive. Mr. Johnson argues that this passage affirms silence as a means for understanding the will of God. Without quoting the passage, which anyone can look up, suffice it to say that the passage in context is dealing with the nature of Christ’s priesthood. The entire book of Hebrews is one long argument supporting the supremacy of Christ over the law.

Now, anyone who is familiar with the Law of Moses knows that not only were the men of the tribe of Levi chosen out to be the temple workers, but that the male descendents of Aaron without defect were set apart by God to serve as the priests of that covenant. Not only that, it was expressly forbidden for anyone not of Aaron to serve in this capacity. Where something is expressly forbidden, the question of silence becomes completely moot. Why the comment in Hebrews 7:14, then? Two reasons: to show that there were no exceptions or loopholes to this rule, and to emphasize the point about Christ not being a priest after Aaron. His priesthood was superior to that of Aaron’s, as much as the covenant that He ministered was better than that of Moses.

Second, for a movement of churches that includes in its North American heritage Alexander Campbell’s “Sermon on the Law,” we have a long way to go before we reach a meaningful, rational consensus regarding how to understand the covenants that God has made throughout history. The silence of Scripture debate is one that demonstrates our lack of understanding in this regard, I believe.

In Galatians 3:15 we find the following: “Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case” (NIV) Of course Paul didn’t have in mind our discussion of silence when he wrote this, it demonstrates an important principle: covenants cannot be altered after the fact.

God established His covenant with Israel via Moses on Mt. Sinai, and Exodus 20 through the end of Deuteronomy contains His law. These were the terms and conditions by which the nation of Israel was to conduct itself, though biblical history shows us that they failed often.

It is interesting to note that nowhere in the covenant law (from Exodus 20 – Deuteronomy) musical instruments for worship were authorized. Later, David, as a prophet, set forth rules for their use in the temple. In the Psalms the old covenant saints were encouraged to praise God with various instruments. Did God change the covenant? No, of course not! Where the law was silent, such practices could be accepted. But note also that this means that their use or non-use was not “essential” to obedience under the old covenant.

A second point would be that of the synagogue. Not included in the Law but introduced during the Babylonian Exile, even Jesus was known to attend the synagogue services. Did the covenant change to permit synagogues? Of course not! It was a matter of silence, and the practice did no violence to the revealed will of God for His people. In fact, it probably helped strengthen them during their captivity.

Personally, I’m convinced that the places where Scripture is truly silent should be reserved to opinion. I will not destroy my brother or the local church over a contention regarding silence. If in the place where I live there were only one New Testament church gathered, and it were a one-cup fellowship, I would meet with them without reservation and without seeking to create strife. The trick, though, might be in finding such a congregation that would not make belief in this matter and repentance of the use of multiple cups a test of fellowship.

Though I realize that this letter is far too long for you to publish, I certainly look forward to reading what the other brethren have to say regarding this continued sore-point.

(See: Letters - The Christian Chronicle )

Adam Gonnerman
Uberlândia – MG Brazil

I believe it can be safely stated that the vigorous objections to Brother North’s “Silence” article epitomize the deep rift in our brotherhood. I would beg an audience with those that wrote so passionately in opposition as well as those who’s ire was aroused and did not write.

The Holy Bible is either our authority for all of our faith and practice or it is nothing at all. That is the claim it makes for itself. If that claim is not valid, then it is not credible at all. From whence is this audacity that Scripture is not altogether from Inspiration and is not our absolute authority? What culture has arisen in the history of the human race or what generation of the church has been so endowed in superior wisdom that we could say the church should be driven by it?

The Holy Bible claims it is our “pattern” as given by inspiration, Romans 6:17. Paul told Timothy (2 Tim.1:13,14) to guard that “pattern” as a treasure. Though very unpopular in our brotherhood culture, the Hebrew writer (8:5,6; 9:1-9) tells us the church is “patterned” after the things of the Old Testament as “type & shadow.” That’s a far cry from being a culture driven church. That leaves us with much to learn from God’s dealings with ancient Israel.

The scholarship from some of our own Universities and some of their books written about the Bible which are so much in the vogue with our brotherhood, are driving a generation wanting an unfettered religion with freedom to choose. Its an easy step from there to see the Sacred Writings as nothing but loving suggestions and outmoded traditions from an ancient past. If there is nothing rigid in the Lord’s body, it cannot function and all falls apart. It is not all soft and smooth as the flesh and skin, but also contains an unbending framework. By God’s measureless love and grace and mercy He has designed it so. Are we to take a poll each week to decide which day of the week to meet on and whether or not to observe the Lord’s Supper? We do not need to go back to Nadab and Abihu for willful, deliberate presumption in the eyes of God, although it is valid. Why else was it written down for us? Look at the Acts 5 record of Ananias and Sapphira. Now there is a culture driven couple. Do you suppose they figured God’s grace and compassion included no absolutes? (Romans 6:15) Nadab and Abihu and Ananias and Sapphira are not to be compared to David eating the showbread (Mtt.12). Jesus explained that in the following verses. An act of compassion on God’s part does not nullify His disallowance of man’s deliberately rebellious acts. All of these records of God’s grace are not to be set at odds with each other.

The Lord’s church is not a denomination whether you spell it with a capital “C” on church or not, although many critical writers assume it is so. If anyone is in a denomination called “Church of Christ,” he needs to get out now. The Lord’s church should not be generalized, belittled and ridiculed because of some of the things being practiced by some of our brethren. When some of our brethren’s belief’s are inconsistent, that does not negate the fact that the New Testament still stands as our sole guide for godly living and worship of our Lord in spirit and truth. While so many of our own brethren try to make us look foolish for holding to it with all our strength, it is still so. Our Lord is Lord of our lives, let us rush to
obedience with indescribable joy, God being our helper.

Thanks to brother North for his article on “Silence.” Who would imagine the Holy Writ would address every conceivable scenario? The church is entrusted with common sense application. I ask, is it really the principle of silence that’s so objectionable or the fact of doctrine, headship, authority and submission? (2 Peter 1:3; 1 Timothy 2:12,13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 5:23; Hebrews 13:17)

Bill Lewis
Imperial, Nebraska

I am writing to ask you to consider the enclosed letter to be published. I personally believe that it is a needed message for Churches of Christ. I am a sixty-seven year old who has been a member of the Church of Christ since I was eleven years old. I have seen our membership go through many struggles with various changes within the large body that is called by the name Church of Christ. We have indeed had many conflicts within this body of believers in Christ over the years. This is because we want to do everything that God wants us to do and do it exactly as it is spelled out in the Bible.

This is a necessary and wonderful desire. Sometimes, however, it leads to human conflicts within the church. Especially when it involves matters that are not specifically addressed in scripture or the scripture seems to some to leave room for interpretation. This conflict is facilitated by our belief in having no organization other than that described in the Bible. This is, as we all will agree, local congregations of Christians led by elders. There is no central human authority with any control over the whole body of believers that might settle differences or disputes. Local congregations have complete authority and the obligation to govern themselves, using only their own knowledge and interpretation of the scriptures. Only discussion and Christian love can bring them together.

Personally, I have never met a Church of Christ that I did not like. None of them were perfect, but all of them, it seemed, were trying to be as perfect as man gets. We are one of them. Recently, we hired a new minister. He has done a wonderful job for us and he and his family are well liked and loved. Our family minister, who is a Psychologist, PhD has been a member of the County Ministerial Association and Chaplin for the local Police Department for some time. Our new minister was asked to join the County Ministerial Association after his arrival and did so.

Several weeks ago he was asked by the association to hold a joint Sunday night service for the community. Our elders agreed. The service would be our regular service with our minister doing the preaching. The invitation would be offered at the end of the sermon by our minister, as usual. The Lord’s supper would be offered afterward for those who had been unable to partake that Sunday at an earlier time. This was offered in a room other than the auditorium, as always.
There was a wonderful turnout from the community and the church was full to overflowing. I can attest to the fact that our minister made a wonderful presentation of the sermon. Some of the visiting ministers from the denomination world participated with prayers and announcements about the ministerial association. The singing, naturally acapella, was absolutely beautiful as our guest’s voices blended with ours. They asked afterward if we had training or a choir in order to learn to sing without a musical instrument. Afterward, we fed everyone including guests in our fellowship home next to the church. Many of our members were later approached by friends expressing their appreciation of our hospitality and the chance to get to know the Church of Christ better.

All of the above is the best part of my story. Later the members received some negative comments from members of other local congregations in the county. One local minister of the Church of Christ delivered a sermon to his church decrying our sin of associating with those not in the Church of Christ as we see it.

I wanted to cry out with the words of Jesus when he told the Pharisees, “Go and learn what this means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” I would add to sinners, “and those ignorant of the truth.” I guess what surprises me most is the fact that we are an old traditional congregation. We were formed in the last half of the 19th century. We ourselves have struggled and lost many times with growing pains and concerns about doing everything right. Sometimes this has occurred when part of our congregation would try to reach out to others in some way with which not everyone agreed. But it seems to me that there must come a time when our love for the lost world must overcome our fear of doing something wrong, and go to those who we feel may be lost. Why, because we are all sinners, saved only through Jesus’ blood. There are so many that we perceive are not under the blood . Let us quit worrying about losing our own soul by trying to save sinners. I just do not believe that will ever happen in the kingdom of Jesus’ Father, who is our God, Jehovah.

Wm. M. Young, Sr. M.D.
Fayetteville, TN