In recent years studious brethren have wondered what the fall-out will be from the liberalism that is currently sweeping the brotherhood. In 1906 there was census recognition of the formal separation between churches of Christ and Christian Churches. Some have wondered what form the next division between truth and error will take.
That division appears to be in the making with the development of the new community church movement. In the October 2000 issue of The Spiritual Sword Alan Highers surveys the options that are available to change agents as they manifest their dissatisfaction with the church. He says, first, “They can leave as some did in earlier years.” In 1966, with the publication of Voices Of Concern, these malcontents to sound doctrine had the dignity to leave that with which they took issue. Second, “They could stay and work from within.” This has been the modus operandi of the old Crossroads/Boston movement over the years. Third, “…separate and form what is usually styled ‘a community church.’” Highers writes, “Such bodies have been described as ‘loosely affiliated with the Church of Christ.’” The founders and members of these churches generally maintain ties with churches of Christ but tend to conceal these connections from the community and from the target audience they are seeking to influence.” They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us (1 Jn. 2:19).

THE WILLOW CREEK ASSOCIATION AND THE CROSSWALK FAMILY OF GOD

William Boyd

The Willow Creek Association (WCA) is a “ministry” of the Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington, Illinois. The Willow Creek Community Church attracts young adults to its services through entertaining music and drama. The association was formed to teach other churches how to do the same. More than 7,200 churches have joined WCA. The Willow Creek Community Church is their pattern. To be a member of WCA a congregation is required to pay an annual fee of $249 and to subscribe to a creedal statement that says:
“All believers are members of the body of Christ, the one true church universal. Spiritual unity is to be expressed among Christians by acceptance and love of one another across…denominational lines” (www.willowcreek.com/wca_info/statement_of_faith.asp).
Members of WCA in the Little Rock area include:
CrossWalk Family of God Apostolic Church
The Church at Rock Creek Family Life Ministry
Fellowship Associates Fellowship North
St. Andrews Church First United Methodist Church
First Presbyterian Church of Arkansas Second Baptist Church
The CrossWalk Family of God calls itself “a church of Christ.” Others who call themselves “a church of Christ” that have joined this new denominational fellowship include the Woodmont Hills Family of God in Nashville, Tennessee and the Richland Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, Texas. WCA churches share the doctrine that the use of the instrument in worship is a matter of preference. The CrossWalk Family of God web page says:
“The Bible is relatively silent on matters of instrumental music and we do not believe it is a salvation issue. However, people do have preferences. We have chosen to sing acappella praises to God during Sunday morning worship assemblies. We may have instrumental music on other occasions” (www.crosswalkfamily.com/questions.html#12).
No church of Christ in the New Testament was ever part of a denominational association. They subscribed to no human creed. They did not assemble for entertainment and drama. They did not use instruments in worship. Their pattern was the teachings of Christ and his apostles (2 Tim. 1:13). Their unity was through obedience to the common faith (Rom. 1:5; Tit. 1:1-4). They worshipped God with congregational singing (Acts 4:23-30). They did not presume upon the silence of our Lord (Col. 3:17).
It is my hope that parents, elders, preachers and teachers will read this to their young people. We must teach our children that it takes more than calling ourselves “a church of Christ” to be one.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Amen! Thanks to Bill Boyd, and the rest of our overseers, for their desire to run this article in our bulletin. May it benefit all that read it. – Dennis Gulledge.

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 37 SEPTEMBER 15, 2003

OUR SICK

Richard Lowe is in Room 327 of Baptist Rehab.
Brenda Henson had surgery today at Baptist Hospital. She is now at home.
Cleta Morgan is in Room 4076 of St. Vincent with pneumonia. May go home on Tuesday.
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THANK YOU

Thank you for all the calls and visits during our hospital stay. We are anxious to be back at church with our beautiful baby boy. You’ve heard it said-“the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!” Ron was very appreciative for the wonderful meal upon our arrival home. A special thank you to Emma Brown, Charlie Dee Morris, Judy Morris, Jill Horton and Michele Smith. Thank you all. Ron, Audrey & Jesse Oliver.
Thank you so much for the cards, flowers, prayers and visits to Richard during his recovery from surgery last week. A special thank you to Ann Elmore, Micki Oates and Addie Boyce for the wonderful meal they brought to the house Saturday. It is truly a blessing to be a part of such a caring Christian family. The Lowe family.
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PEW PACKERS

Pew Packers will meet at 4:25 PM on Sunday, September 21st. Scott will meet with the parents at this time to discuss plans for Pew Packers.
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SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER 21

Morning
The Name We Wear (James 2:5-7)
Evening
Called – The Divine Summons
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TEEN SING

The Teen Sing will be after the evening service on Sunday, September 21st, boys bring drinks and girls bring chips.
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Week of September 21
TEACH US TO PRAY
By his very nature man is a praying creature. Unlike any of the other of God’s creation, man is spirit, and his spirit longs for and reaches upward to some kind of controller of things. However, as natural as it may seem to pray, there are some things a person should know to pray a prevailing prayer. Our Lord’s disciples asked for teaching about prayer.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

September 21………….Pew Packers
September 21…………….Teen Sing
September 23…….All Comers Class
September 30…….All Comers Class

OUR RECORD SEPTEMBER 14, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 232
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 153
P.M. WORSHIP 174
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 127

CONTRIBUTION 9713
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
September 21, 2003

David Gulledge Dennis Gulledge
Brad Horton Roger Horton
Tim King Jim Henson
Waymon Minor Nick Lowe

Evening Jim Mauldin
Greg King
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

September 24 Keith Golden
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USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Morning Bill & John Boyd
Evening Gary & Blake Poole
Wednesday Brad Horton & Darrell Orick
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GREETERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Richard & Beth Butler
Marvie Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

September Johnny Boyd
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