Leaving traditional for house church is not ‘falling away’

I strongly agree with Terry Rush (Letters, Page 35, August) and disagree as strongly with the book review, “Falling Away” (Page 36, August). We left the traditional church because one congregation looked like a denomination in its Sunday assembly while another like it was dead on its feet with over-regulation.
Contrary to the alternatives that the book suggested, we did not “lower (our) religiosity,” “disaffiliate” or “apostasize.” We just went back to the beginning, before building mortgages, salaries and insurance ate up our contribution.
We started a house church meeting in my home. Our ultimate aim is to restore the New Testament Christianity that was lost over the years. We study the Scriptures and re-interpret or re-affirm what we already know. We still want to be “Just Christians.”
Alouis Franckowiak | Kansas City, Mo.
More church planters needed
The article “N.J. church offers cheap gas, full-service ministry” (Page27, August) was quite nice. Thank you for providing that kind ofcoverage to Brunswick Church of Christ and other plants with whichKairos is working. We are trying desperately hard to encourage ourfellowship toward such evangelistic activity. We ask our planters tokeep Churches of Christ at the center of their fellowship gravity.
Our heritage has some powerful concepts for a positive future in the21st century. Our planters are tapping into those heritage resources.
 
Stan Granberg | Portland, Ore.

Secular world must ‘see the reality of Jesus’ love’
I agree with the thoughts in the editorial “Love, tolerance and hope inJesus” (Page 34, August). As believers in the cross of Jesus Christ andall it stands for, this is where we cannot compromise.
However, I fear that in the past the Christian community has “stoodfirm on this truth” in less than loving ways. If we are to impact oursecular culture, we need to do more than “proclaim the truth of Jesusas the Way.” We need to live our lives in loving sacrifice, as Jesushimself did, not only for the benefit of our fellow church members butalso for the world — even, and most especially, the unbelieving world.If the world does not see the reality of Jesus’ love, grace and mercyin us, they have no reason to hear the truth of what we say.
Charlie Robinson | Columbia, Md.
Next Diana Singing scheduled for September
Thank you for the news report of the Diana Singing in Diana, Tenn.(Page 3, August). The article gave an incorrect date for the fallsinging. The singings always are held the first full weekend of Juneand September.
Tom Holland | Nashville, Tenn.

• Feedback
  I doubt there would be much of a need for an instrumental coc to add an acapella service for matters of conscience. That which is long since been considered a “non-issue” isn’t going to affect a fellow believers conscience. A teaching has to be taught long enough and with enough passion to turn a nonissue into one. That is why so many simply stare in disbelief that the Holy Spirit’s lack of condemnation of a practice is so loudly shouted from His spokesmen.

  Mike Nance

  Dunn Chapel church of Christ

  Lufkin, Texas
  USA

  September, 23 2009

  I would like to know if there is an “instrumental” Church of Christ that has added an “a capella” worship service for members for whom using the instrument is a matter of conscience.

  ,

  February, 16 2009