Loading ...Little Guys Shooting Big Guys
It is a proven fact that the Christian Church is growing faster than the churches of Christ. The Christian Church is similar to churches of Christ in general except for a few issues: instrumental music, missionary society, and hermeneutics. Mostly the congregations are the same in most categories. This begs the question “why are the Christian Churches growing faster than the churches of Christ.” It seems that the Christian Church is growing faster because of the amount of larger churches in its fellowship. There is a congregation within the Christian Church that has over 12,000 members for its weekly Sunday services. Bob Russell has been the senior minister there and has retired to do seminars for churches across America. It seemed that he was the first minister in the Christian Church fellowship to lead this step into growing a “mega-church.” Within the Christian Church there are more larger churches in the fellowship. I believe this is leading to the faster growth rate. Why are there more larger churches in this fellowship than ours? One reason could go back to the split in the restoration movement. The rural churches stayed within the churches of Christ and the city congregations went with the Christian Church. This could account for the difference in growth. But I believe there is another explanation. I have never heard or met Bob Russell, but from his record of being able to help a congregation grow, he seems that he was able to transcend into a great leader. He was beyond the average leader in the church he worked with for years. Other Christian Churches looked to Bob to help them grow and develop as well, which has led to growth throughout the fellowship. We had a figure like this in our fellowship named Ira North. He influenced congregations throughout America. But it seems that these days, there cannot be a Bob Russell or Ira North figure within the church. Once a man steps up to offer transcending leadership he is shot at from all sides. Instead of embracing those special leaders, we shoot them. I am afraid that the great men are being attacked by little men within the fellowship of churches of Christ.
Related posts:
- Teen Guys Retreat on Mt. Yale
- The Future of the Largest Congregations
- People Want to be Part of a Winning Work
- Reflections on HCU Workshop
- A Few Growth Hints that Work
About The Author
I was talking with a great leader in ministry recently, and he was telling me about being written up by some young preacher just out of college. I had to laugh because I knew the guy. The young guy accomplished nothing in the church so far, but he felt the need to attach someone that has helped a congregation grow by a factor of 10.
WOW! I think you are correct on this one. It may be a reaction to the “pope” journalists that we fear those who have leadership skills, afraid they will become too powerful like Goodpasture, Lipscomb, and Wallace…
I’d say most Christian Churches are not growing…but neither are most Churches of Christ. hmmm…and the mega church thing seems to be of issue but it also seems “our” mega churches always end up (so far) leaning to the extreme left
. Just my thoughts. Thanks for making me think about it – I could say more but probably have already said too much.
I think you are right Dale, I think sometimes our mega churches get seduced by desire for more numbers instead of holding fast to truth.
Also, I never thought about the background of previous men who exerted a huge influence, this is wise insight.
After Ira North came Rubel Shelly (whom I have great respect for) but with him came all of the brethren weilding their guns. But believe me when I say that within the Christian Church, Bob Russel has found himself in the cross-hairs of a rifle scope as well. Good leaders will always have their nasty critics because Leadership is about influence and change, which always brings out resistance.
Saddly, some of this resistance becomes just outright sinful in the way it attacks its target. When the resistance find no credible argument to sway people to its cause, it turns to character assasination by labeling its target as a heretic and even one who ultimately is serving Satan. The resistance did this to Jesus, to his Apostles, to his disciples of yesterday, and to his disciples of today.
As for why the Christian Churches (CC) are growing. Two reasons. The first one you mentioned – hermeneutics. The CC that I am aware of operate from a hermenuetic that gives permission to its members to live by faith, serving God as God calls, and enjoy their freedom in Christ. Such a life is attractive to those seeking God. The CC hermenuetic, though not perfect, does not seek to oppress its members into the role of puppets who must act out of fear for their master’s wrath rather living for their true Master. Secondly, the CC started planting new church-planting churches. This placed mission back as the purpose for existance.
The good news for the CoC is that we have been developing a hermeneutis that gives persmission (rather than restricts) to be ministers according to each person’s Spirit given gifts who also are allowed to enjoy our freedom in Christ. The CoC is also started planting churches again in North America and that is a sign that mission (especially in N.A.) is becoming our purpose for existance.
The good news for Christ and the church is that through the CC, the CoC, and many other fellowships, their is a renewal taking place that is placing the good news of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God back as the center – the purpose for our life and mission. May all who profess the name of Jesus Christ proclaim him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
-Rex
I would say the differences you mention are enough to at least draw some lines of distinction. As far as leadership is concerned, I think a statement I heard many years ago when I was a young preacher is appropriate. “There is more jealousy and envy among preachers than any one group.” That could be a hyperbole but there is no doubt but that jealousy has contributed a great dealas to why we no longer have outstanding leaders. Brother North certainly had his share of jealous critics when he was in his heyday.
Bob Russell is a great leader and a great example to younger Christians. I have heard him speak at the Tulsa Workshop; I have heard his radio program; and I have read his book, “When God Builds a Church” (which I recommend without reservation). In an interview with the “Christian Standard” last year, he stated that one primary reason that the Christian Churches have grown so rapidly in the last 20 years is that Christian Churches started to concentrate on spreading the gospel. It seems simple…almost too simple, but the man has a proven track record of knowing what he’s talking about. He is completely committed to solid biblical teaching, evangelism, and flexibility in approach to ministry (as long as it does not conflict with biblical principles). If you or any of your readers are in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area on November 20-23, the National Missionary Convention of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ will be meeting at the convention center in downtown Tulsa. I would love to see you there!
Leaders do have their critics… I was just thinking about David Lipscomb and James Harding, neither was without their critics. In most cases, it seems as though history has acted as a judge on the critics (hindsight always becomes 20/20).
Rex
Learned a long time ago–When the church across the street is growing and we’re not, either they’re doing something right or we’re doing something wrong…OR…they’re growing because they are wrong and we are not growing because we are right. It’s a whole lot easier to question their growth than it is to refocus and retrain our ministry.
Dale said…
I’d say most Christian Churches are not growing…but neither are most Churches of Christ.
I would like to have prove of this statement. Flavel Yeakley would state other wise in his most recent study of the RM. The growth hasn’t been huge, but its there. My church has doubled in the past two years and its in an area where CC/CofC are not strong (www.mycccfamily.org). I hear of growth from other smaller churches around the country in our fellowship.
Please check out: stadia.cc
orchidgroup.org, nexus.us are examples of church planting groups.
The question goes back to growth. If it is simple increase in membership and attendance then there are many churches in all most all fellowships that would fall into that category. A recent study showed that most of the growth in the Christian churches came from people who were fed up with the liberal movements in main line protestant groups such as the recent Episcopal heresy over homosexual bishops. In the PEW report also says that Catholics are also leaving their tradition at an alarming rate for churches that are more open and quote “full of Joy”. One lady interviewed said that she was tired of an empty religion of rules and religious dogma. Since the independent Christian church is a little more open minded than the average cofC they probably pick up more of these disgruntled people who are already believers but changing faith traditions. We must learn to look at growth biblically. That is bringing people to faith who did not believe before, and growing that faith through spiritual increase in the fruit of the Spirit.
But don’t you know that attacking these men who dare to question and re-think things is standing up for the truth. If you are standing up for the truth then you can do or say just about whatever you want. That is why the brotherhood publications have no problem publically castigating those who step outside the normal circle of accepted practice and doctrine.
Just because preaching is noisy doesn’t mean it’s sound!