I strongly agree with Terry Rush (Letters, Page 35, August) and disagree as strongly with the book review, “Falling Away” (Page 36, August). We left the traditional church because one congregation looked like a denomination in its Sunday assembly while another like it was dead on its feet with over-regulation.

Contrary to the alternatives that the book suggested, we did not “lower (our) religiosity,” “disaffiliate” or “apostasize.” We just went back to the beginning, before building mortgages, salaries and insurance ate up our contribution.

We started a house church meeting in my home. Our ultimate aim is to restore the New Testament Christianity that was lost over the years. We study the Scriptures and re-interpret or re-affirm what we already know. We still want to be “Just Christians.”

Alouis Franckowiak | Kansas City, Mo.
More church planters needed

The article “N.J. church offers cheap gas, full-service ministry” (Page 27, August) was quite nice. Thank you for providing that kind of coverage to Brunswick Church of Christ and other plants with which Kairos is working. We are trying desperately hard to encourage our fellowship toward such evangelistic activity. We ask our planters to keep Churches of Christ at the center of their fellowship gravity.

Our heritage has some powerful concepts for a positive future in the 21st century. Our planters are tapping into those heritage resources.
 
Stan Granberg | Portland, Ore.

Secular world must ‘see the reality of Jesus’ love’

I agree with the thoughts in the editorial “Love, tolerance and hope in Jesus” (Page 34, August). As believers in the cross of Jesus Christ and all it stands for, this is where we cannot compromise.

However, I fear that in the past the Christian community has “stood firm on this truth” in less than loving ways. If we are to impact our secular culture, we need to do more than “proclaim the truth of Jesus as the Way.” We need to live our lives in loving sacrifice, as Jesus himself did, not only for the benefit of our fellow church members but also for the world — even, and most especially, the unbelieving world. If the world does not see the reality of Jesus’ love, grace and mercy in us, they have no reason to hear the truth of what we say.

Charlie Robinson | Columbia, Md.

Next Diana Singing scheduled for September

Thank you for the news report of the Diana Singing in Diana, Tenn. (Page 3, August). The article gave an incorrect date for the fall singing. The singings always are held the first full weekend of June and September.

Tom Holland | Nashville, Tenn.