LectureshipIssue.com

Individually Supported Rivals to the Churches of Christ

by Peter McPherson

AN IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE

Shortly after I became a Christian a brother said that he could not conscientiously be a member of or donate to The Creation Research Society (even though they offered many good materials on a literal Creation) because, he said, it also functioned as a Religious Society (offering Faith Only Materials; materials telling people how to become Christians that did not include water baptism, etc.). Thus I was introduced with a principle that has stuck with me over the years, namely that in giving a donation, whether it be by a congregation or an individual to any human organization, requires discernment. Perhaps this would be a no-brainer to many but to me, a new Christian, it was helpful. What the brother mentioned above had done was to condition my mind to make distinctions where there is a difference. Or, in the words of a foot-note in the NASB on Philippians 1:10 - to "distinguish between the things which differ." Over the years brethren have made such distinctions when it comes to a local church purchasing electricity from the electric company and in the church making donations to the same company. The former is authorized by the need of a congregation to have a heated or cooled place to assemble (Heb. 10:25); the latter is not authorized as the church has no business using its monies for any other purposes than that which relate to its scripturally authorized work (Col. 3:17).

By the way, I must admit that I did not in every area immediately make the proper application of the above principle. But honesty demands that when we learn where a distinction is to be made, we must make it. When faced with the need to retract a former position he held, brother Roy Cogdill is reported to have said "I would rather be right than consistent." All of us should have this same attitude. There is way too much of the - we can do this because we have done this in the past.

PURCHASING A PRODUCT VERSUS MAKING A DONATION.

There are a number of organizations that sell products and that offer services to churches and Christians that are legitimate business enterprises. Yet when they cross over to engage in the direct work of evangelism, they usurp the role and function of the God given institution, the local church. For instance a more recent organization called Creation Ministries International. It prints and sells many good materials on a literal Creation as per Genesis One. A church or an individual would be justified in purchasing any of these materials. I have done so. There are other reasons that a church or an individual should not make a contribution to this "Ministry" but here is one reason: In addition to the Creation Materials, I have noticed that it also presents a denominational plan of conversion. It is "faith only" without any response of gospel obedience. On that basis alone a contribution cannot be made to such an organization by a church or by an individual. But more than that, even if it was composed of true Christians and it took a right stand on how to become a Christian, it would be wrong to support it through donations. The reason is this: in any organized function of God's people it is alone to the local churches that this work has been divinely assigned (1 Tim.3:1-15). Then there is The Gospel Press that zealous brethren set up many decades ago. It is another human organization that attempts to activate the church universal through the contributions of individual Christians. Another organization of some of our more liberal brethren in recent years requests churches and individuals to use it as an arm of their evangelistic efforts. This institution has developed such tools as the Searching For Truth DVD. It purports to replace the old Jule Miller Video series that many of us have used in the past. Since the DVD is fundamentally sound congregations or individuals have a right to purchase this very inexpensive product. But donations to this organization by churches or individuals make the Searching For Truth Organization a rival to the only organized group authorized by the Lord to send forth His message, namely, the local congregations of God's people. I am sure you can see this.

THE GUARDIAN OF TRUTH FOUNDATION LECTURESHIPS

When I was introduced to some of brother Gene Frost's materials meant to enlighten brethren and to awaken them to the dangers of certain human Institutions and Foundations in the dual role they occupied. I began to clearly see the point he was making. The difference between buying a service from a service company and in making a donation to a service company. The difference between, for instance, a for-profit private business printing and selling Bibles and in that same business asking for and receiving contributions to itself spread the word (thus involving itself in the stated work of evangelism, which in regard to any functional organization, God has already assigned to the local church). The difference between a religious Paper which is a mere extension of one's own ministry and is operated as a business on the basis of paid subscriptions and in an organized religious Paper that besides receiving paid subscriptions also receives donations from Christians to keep the Paper and its many other activities alive.

It was becoming more and more clear to me that when a human Organization or Foundation asked for contributions, received donations, hired staff, had paid employees, organized Lectureships where there would be the preaching and teaching of the gospel and where worship would be conducted, that such constituted a rival to the congregations of the Lord. Especially should we be able to see this when just a few years ago The Guardian of Truth Foundation set up a yearly preaching/teaching/worship Lectureship in Bowling Green, Ky., (even where I am told there are a number of local congregations within 100 miles or so that could have done the same thing (thus giving God the "glory in the church" instead of to a human organization).

Those who claim to have the right to form such Foundations for evangelism and worship, in the rather strong words of brother Cecil Willis on another topic, have "an overactive assumption gland." Frankly, it seems that this is the same spiritual illness that some of our Foundation brethren have today.

It is hoped that discerning and conscientious brethren will prayerfully re-study these matters, back off from all human endeavours that have no scriptural authority and/or cause division and do all in their power to "pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." I have absolutely no axe to grind or any personal reason to "take sides." I love my brethren in Christ everywhere. I simply desire the truth whatever the cost.