Finding inspiration in a year of sorrow
What will youremember reading in The Christian Chronicle?
We pose these questionsto readers occasionally, but this month we asked ourselves. Our editorialcouncil works together each month to formulate these editorials. This month, wereflect on the stories that inspired each of us.
DisasterResponse — various stories
Church members’response to the tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita prove that whenChristians place themselves in others’ shoes, their hearts open.
Millions in donationsare being dispersed by our brothers and sisters. May 2006 bring blessings forall involved in the recovery. — Tamie Ross
Outwardfocus fueling growth at universities — November
Two stories this fallprovided an overview of issues shaping our campuses — the consumeristic studentwho seeks the campus with the best technology, nicest housing and most uniqueprograms; and enrollment growth often based on an increasing percentage ofstudents who hail from religious groups outside churches of Christ.
How will these shapeleaders of the next generation? They are critical issues to watch. —Scott LaMascus
ChurchesThat Work – April, August, December
TheChronicle launched this series in April. Our goals are two:to get an inside look at some healthy congregations successfully doing ministryand to inspire other churches by these models.
What a delight it hasbeen to feature Highland in Memphis,Tenn., Metro in Gresham,Ore., and Fairfaxin Virginia.It heartens us to see devoted Christians working in divergent areas and uniqueways to honor God and serve others. —Joy McMillon
Longtimedirector of Apologetics Press fired — July
TheChronicle reported a story that had circulated to supportersof Apologetics Press. It was a significant story because it reflected acourageous decision of a board, acting with integrity.
It was not agood-news story, but it is important that the brotherhood put a dark event inthe light when the typical practice has been silence. — Bailey McBride
Reportershines light on state’s dark past — August
I slipped into theservice at the Skyway Hills church, Pearl, Miss., just as it started. Theman with the reddish beard, who presided so eloquently over the Lord’s Supper,looked familiar from the pictures I had seen. Sure enough, it was JerryMitchell, the award-winning newspaper reporter whose dogged investigative workhelped bring justice in a series of Civil Rights Era murder cases.
What an inspiringexperience to interview a real American hero and, better yet, get to know atrue man of God. — Bobby Ross Jr.
CaribbeanLectureship reaches Cuba— August
It was a surrealexperience, singing hymns in Spanish and English, praising God with the face ofFidel Castro looking down on us from a giant banner in the auditorium. Whowould’ve thought that a communist government would allow us that freedom —through legal channels?
The dedication of theCuban brethren amazed and inspired me. — Erik Tryggestad
What are your topstories for 2005? The most inspiring news you read here in 2005? In addition tothe wonderful work of the Spirit in your little corner of the vast, timelessKingdom, we hope you are praying for other congregations and for Christians theworld over.
Asthe new year approaches, let us reflect on the year past and pray for God’scontinued blessings in 2006.
