Letters to the editor: December 2006

Keep up the good work
I think you’re doing a nice job of presenting the issues and news within the Churches of Christ. Your work seems unbiased, fair and comprehensive. Keep up the editorial vision, and don’t be deterred.
MARK VANCIL
GERMANTOWN, TENN.

Disappointment shouldn’t lead to voter apathy
Have we forgotten the value and importance of voting? I read the article on responses from preachers and leaders of various churches (Page 1, November) and saw where a number are refusing to vote because of their disappointment in various leaders in the political arena. We must remember that we are the ones who select those leaders. Those leaders are also human — not perfect! There will be times of disappointment, and those bad eggs should be booted out of office. This is done by voting for another candidate.
We are often lazy and select only the political party and not the individual. We should review the personal information about our choices. There is too much partisan politics going on and not enough personal value consideration — not enough consideration of the individual’s efforts for the greater good of the country instead of personal gain.
Regardless, we should be out there voting our conscience because, if we don’t, we are letting others have their way, which may not be in agreement with ours.

BOB JETTON
OKLAHOMA CITY
Readers respond to Freed-Hardeman discussion
The recent article headlined “Unity discussion takes center stage at Freed-Hardeman” (Page 1, November) was both enlightening and sad.
Knowing that Freed-Hardeman is training the next generation of Church of Christ church leaders is disturbing. We should be alarmed that some educators continue to practice — and encourage — secondary separation, elevating their personal preferences to the level of the deity of Jesus. The Bible standard for fellowship is centered on the person, Jesus Christ, and what one believes about him, not on what happens for 15 minutes on Sunday morning in a church building.

ROYCE OGLE
MONROE, LA.
I find it difficult to continue reading about unity among Christians when we do nothing but cause more separation by having debates or “discussions” such as these.
Our preoccupation with debating the instrument issue causes damage to the Lord’s church and it takes time and energy that would be better used in reaching those in need. We have lost our focus. Let’s move on already.
Let us rejoice that we have unity with other groups in the knowledge that Christ died for all of our sins and he rose again, and in that resurrection we have hope of eternal life. Praise God!

DON GATTIS
YAKIMA, WASH.
Dec. 1, 2006