Kentucky church dedicates veterans’ Garden of Honor

Members and visitors gather to dedicate the veterans’ Garden of Honor at the Southside Church of Christ in Hopkinsville, Ky. (Photo provided by Terry Alan Jones)

At its recent 50th anniversary celebration, the Southside Church of Christ in Hopkinsville, Ky., dedicated a veterans’ Garden of Honor.
An estimated 20,000 motorists who pass by each day can see the memorial on the church’s front lawn, minister Terry Alan Jones said.
About 600 present and former members attended the anniversary celebration and memorial dedication.
The church is near the Fort Campbell Army post and includes a number of military families.
“I believe the Garden of Honor is unique among Churches of Christ,” Jones said. It “has received much notice and appreciation from the community.”

• Feedback
  I’m not opposed to society erecting a memorial for war veterans…but a church? What does this have to do with the gospel, the church, the mission of God? And yet American culture becomes more and more of a “post-Christian culture everyday.

  K. Rex Butts

  August, 4 2010

  I too am somewhat disturbed by the idea of a church building a memorial for soldiers. It is, perhaps, what a good American would do, but is it what a good Christian should do? Should not our voice be one of shalom in the midst of violence?

  Phil Travis

  August, 4 2010

  �I believe the Garden of Honor is unique among Churches of Christ,� Jones said.
  There is a very good reason for that. The Churches I grew up in didn’t believe in mixing politics and nationalism with the religion of Christ.
  That is one of the qualities that this fellowship of churches has held to that I very much appreciate.
  We are slipping more and more towards fundamentalism all the time, and this is a great example of it. Mixing American Nationalism and Christianity together equals American Civil Religion, something that resembles, but is not, Christianity.
  Josh J.

  Josh J.

  August, 4 2010

  I have very mixed emotions about this issue. As an elder, if the subject came up in our congregation I would have to give it a great deal of thought. On the other hand, most of my career has been working on military bases, including Fort Campbell, and the thousands of service members, in my opinion, are the most neglected of any mission field I know of. Many military bases do not have a congregation of the church of Christ close enough to be readily available to those who may want to attend. Our military, by choice, put their life on the line each day, and a deployment to a foreign country is now almost a sure thing for every one of them. If a few (comparable) dollars spent to build a suitable memorial will help bring a few more service people to our assembly, what is the difference in that and a medical clinic or a food bank? It is our duty to fulfill a need, just as long as that need does not offend the scripture. Before we condemn our Hopkinsville bretheren too much, stop and think; who goes to the front line to protect us from those who would like to deny us the freedom to worship? It is not the legislator, it is not the missionary, it is the soldier, sailor, airman, marine, or coastie. The Bible says “honor to whom honor”, and Jesus even said offer tribute to Caesar.
  James B

  James B

  August, 4 2010

  The church in many places has become a cultural church, promoting nationalistic symbols on the church building or grounds. The church is international in nature and has a world-wide mission. That is the symbolism that should be projected. Some congregations have become nothing more than a front organization for a political party. Yet, virtually no one is crying in the wilderness exposing the marriage of fundamentalist churches to conservative politics. This activity, while appropriate in other settings, does not reflect the church’s mission.

  Harold Williams

  August, 4 2010

  What I dont understand is what everyone is so in a uproar about. God blessed America with the ability to be open with our faith. there are so many countries where our brother and sisters in christ have to meet in secret or cant even meet at all. And the way we have been able to keep the freedoms that we have here in the USA is by those who sacrificed thier lives in the wars. We as christians should be very open with our gratitude, for this, and that is all i see here. A church congregation that is being open with thier gratitude for the freedoms that we as americans have. I think that this is a great idea and shows an outward constant reminder of love, gratitiude, faith, and kindness. We need to stop keeping all these good qualities to ourselves and instead use them to reach out to others.

  Jackie T.

  August, 4 2010

  “Before we condemn our Hopkinsville bretheren too much, stop and think; who goes to the front line to protect us from those who would like to deny us the freedom to worship? It is not the legislator, it is not the missionary, it is the soldier, sailor, airman, marine, or coastie.”
  No it’s not! Jesus Christ alone is the one who has gone ‘to the front line’ and victoriously conquered death through his own death and resurrection, giving us the freedom to be his disciples who worship God.

  K. Rex Butts

  August, 5 2010

  Disturbing to see the church doing such things. Though I respect those who have died for our freedom in this country I still hold to Jesus as my ONLY Saviour. Discussion will continue at my page.

  M. W. Dawson

  August, 6 2010