An elderly gentleman dropped into the office this past week with the question: “Is this the church of Christ associated with Joyce Meyers?” He wanted to give some money to Joyce Meyers who he thought said she was a part of the church of Christ. If you are not familiar with Joyce Meyers, she is a televangelist known for her raspy voice, witty insights and much like her contemporary electronic pulpit spewsters proclaims a gospel for every need from wealth to health. I tried to identify via the internet who Meyers was associated with but failed. Now I think that’s a good thing… let me explain. First it let me speak to this searcher of the simple, universal sense of the church and then to make the restoration plea for us all to be the church of Christ. It also let the door open to suggest what we believe and practice is what identifies us. You see… you can’t go wrong when the discussion starts with the search for Christ’s church!

You’ve heard me say from time to time that one must be a member of the church of Christ to go to heaven. I believe that to be true… not in the sense of a sign in front of the building or in some postmodern eclectic Rodney King can’t we just all get along way. I mean it in its most simple pure form. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). The early church was called “The Way” not because they did it their way but emphatically strove to do it no other way than His! It is HIS church that the gates of Hades cannot overcome and He is the head of HIS body… you can label the church with various tags that range from descriptive to functional but under the verbiage deep in the sinew of faith must prevail an unmovable belief in Jesus. He is Lord and King. Not by rhetoric or liturgy but by surrendered hearts that have become fiercely loyal to their sovereign. When allegiance is to any one, thing or idea other than the Christ it cannot be HIS church.

O yes, I forgot… the church even at best is spotted, blemished and wrinkled (Ephesians 5:25-27). Don’t shake your head at me –you know the rabble rousers, hypocrites and apathetic spiritual weaklings I’m talking about. At least I’m sure that if I’m in the fold there’s some major wrinkleage. But none-the-less Jesus washes us with water and word to make us not only holy and blameless but radiant! Why? –because we are HIS bride… HIS church… The church of Christ! -DAN

Mission Report

Occasionally we hear remarks concerning congregational involvement in assisting missionaries working overseas, that indicate our efforts should be limited to teaching the Truth to those in our own community, state or country. I wholeheartedly agree with this idea of mission work if our community, state and country have never heard of Christ and his salvation. From my ovservances in the many communities I have seen (and I have visited all 50 of the United States), mulitiple churches exist in most. Even though many of the various churches fail to declare the total gospel, Christ is still the focal point for their existence. In contrast, there are vast areas of the world where the name of Christ is unknown and his salvation can never be obtained unless efforts by believers make known the message of the Savior to them.

In reply to those who question congregational support for missionaries, i recommend reading the New Testament book of Romans Chapter 10: verses 12-15. Quoted below:

For there is no distinction between Jews and Greeks, the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News!"

We would be negligent in our Christian duties if we fail to assist in helping make known the Gospel to all the world. --ODELL

Please pray for the followin missionaries in Georgetown, Guyana:
Bob Boller
Jim & Sara Cox
Steve & Coleen DeLoach
Kenneth & Samantha Finlayson
Bill & Carolyn Green
Jerry & Pat Veach

Life Groups have ended for the summer and will resume September 7th.

Elisha Brewer gave birth to Benjamin Kenobi Brewer on June 3rd at 11:21PM. He weighs in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 21 inches long. CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRIS AND ELISHA!