THE COMMUNITY CHURCH BY GARY MCDADE REVIEWED

It appears that a historical Community Church is a freelance denominational church which may or may not have national or international ties with others of the denomination. Therefore, the earliest traceable roots of the Community Church pattern are sunk deep in unrestricted denominationalism with a needs-based approach that seeks "to effect a more relevant religion" than is offered in mainline denominationalism. However, the historic Community Church lacks the glamour and appeal of the megachurch model furnished by the contemporary pattern for the Community Church.

The danger and propensity of preferring and following man's way over God's is a theme thoughtful students of the Bible readily recognize. The Messiah was mandated because man has a tendency to go astray from God's way. Isaiah wrote, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6). Jeremiah said, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). And, the Proverbs teach, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). Down through the history of man one truth is consistent and that is that man is not consistent in obeying God's will.

A reminder of a well-known departure from the truth will help establish the reason for the concern at hand over the Community Church pattern now being espoused. Two decades ago a movement threatened the churches of Christ on a worldwide scale. Today it is known as International Churches of Christ which is the Multiplying Ministry of the Boston Church of Christ. Then it was first known as the Crossroads movement out of Gainsville, Florida. Now it is headed up by Kip McKean, then it was spearheaded by Chuck Lucas. The hotbed of the movement was college campuses across the country, especially those where local churches of Christ drew attendance from the respective student bodies. Young people displaced from their families were subjected to nothing less than rudimentary mind control tactics from savvy Campus Ministers. The hurt suffered by the bride of Christ is now legendary. But, the source of the pain was discovered and revealed just as the Community Church pattern is now being exposed. Perhaps informed brethren will recall The Master Plan Of Evangelism written by Robert E. Coleman.

It was first published by this Nazarene preacher in 1963 and by 1982 boasted a circulation of more than three million copies and translation into more than seventy languages. It provided the basis for the movement.

It is the essence of the writings of Milton Lee Jones, a member of the Church of Christ whose little books have brought "The Master Plan" into the Lord's church far and wide. Coleman's little 126 page book has been sufficient to inject the body of Christ with a poison lethal enough to kill entire congregations in various places around the world. Just as the source for the Crossroads / Multiplying Ministry or International Churches of Christ error was isolated in the early to mid 1980's, even so the source for the Community Church pattern needs to be isolated today so the error it espouses can be fully exposed and defeated.

This reviewer helped hire Milton Lee Jones as campus minister. When the "pulpit minister" began having "sexual encounters" with God, Milton filled the pulpit with no intention that he would ever be "preacher." Twenty-three years later Seattle has been one of the churches repudiating "traditionalism" of the right for traditionalism of the left:

This is the scene of the Komos: The fellow on the left is carrying the "oxgoad" in his right hand. The thing in his left hand is a flute case and attached to it is the Judas Bag. This bag is defined as "a bag for carrying the mouthpieces of wind instruments." The word is made up of "speaking in tongues" and "of the world" or Kosmos. Because they practiced a new winskin religion the oxgoad was to keep them from falling during the dance. You can see one of the Judas scenes by Clicking Here.

The Seattle newspapers noted the aberrant behavior of Seattle "ministers" who felt the God-like urge to atone for the sins of divisiveness. The way to solve the proplem, alas, would be to turn the same keen blade into the hearts of those who fed you. The judgmental - affirming attitude are just the obverse sides of the same coin. To break down some walls we might have to break some jaws to silence anyone who would question self-appointed authorites.

Mike Cope tells you about the Dog Chasing Rabbit Breaking Down Walls Paradigm from ACU (Abilene Christian University) and Highland Church of Christ.

Milton Jones went legal to change the "creed in the deed" which outlawed instrumental music to a new "creed in the deed" which permitted instruments. The scheme was to tell everyone that they needed to change the bylaws to eleminate "legal liability" and to keep from being sectarian. It has always been clear that it was adding instruments in Restoration Movements faithful to the Bible and most church history which created the Musical Sect. Normal churches of Christ did not change and therefore could not have been the sectarians. If you read John Locke you know why the sectarians hate him. Click for more John Locke

The real motive, we understand, was so that "we don't have to meet in a phone booth." So crass commercialism is the motive when pastors have run out of faith in the Word as it has been delivered and find that their new 'paradigm' is falling. Our hope is that whoopi worshipers won't pay the bills to keep up the property the conservatives woke up to find had slipped from under their sleeping noses.

The church was softened up with the Blackaby - King claim that you can get your own, perhaps superior, assignment from God just as did Moses and Jesus -- for their times. More Blackaby.

You can see how the cult of the pastor replacing the elders and the church has naturally led to rejecting the name of Christ in the church title. A sign of a cult is a dominant leader and we have more Blackaby-taught heresy here.

Milton Jones labeled any opposition to the move as "sowing discord" and "warned" the dissidents. He refused to allow any truth to be taught about instrumental music and used the same old arguments to show that God "commanded" instruments.

"Willow Creek teacher Mr. Ortberg says the need for agreement is an "issue of integrity" But complementarian Wayne Grudem uses no euphemisms in his analysis of the Willow Creek position:

"The way an egalitarian view triumphs is by a suppression of information and discussion."

As I read this statement I was struck by a paragraph in a disgusting paramilitary diary which reads:

Each worker receives ten hours of lectures each week, and he is graded not only on his general attitude toward his work and on his productivity but also on his responsiveness to these lectures.

The paramilitary department of education had the responsibility of social rehabilitation. Typically, you cannot have an organization larger than the local congregation without strict, military-like laws:

The lone warrior (most had already been cast out of the church by the Dionysus Musical Worship Team with women presiding over the shepherding task as long as she uses a tune and amplifies enough) was accused of being a racist: "Because anyone who objects to instrumental music still defends slavery."

Click for the Race Card as a Discipling Dilema

Click for proof that the Civil War was a religious war promoted by "religionists." While Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and even Catholics divided over slavery, the Restoration Movement was unique in that it did not. So, confuse the opposition by turning facts on their head.

Consistent with history, those who corrupt the pure faith don't even grasp the need for "defense" until they have been caught in the act.

Milton Jones preached a sermon of which I have a tape from another congregation. You can see that the whole sectarian division was carried out by one who having dismissed the Word of God and a careless use of history.

Claim that there is: No Authority of the Bible in Commands Examples and Inferences.

On The Other Hand: Lucian of Samosata and Psallo From Attic Greek
Lucian of Samosata Explained by The Church Fathers
How About Psallo and Psalm 150?
Reasonableness of Christianity - Locke
A Letter of Toleration - Locke

Bob Mumford Appealed to By Rubel Shelly:

One of the astounding things about the new books is that there is absolutely no original thinking. Material is just lifted and sold as "brand new." One discipling father whom Rubel Shelly quotes favorably had reason to repent:

"In 1970 five prominent charismatic leaders, Derek Prince, Don Basham, Bob Mumford, Charles Simpson and Ern Baxter, electrified the Christian world by announcing that they had entered into a covenant of accountability with each other.

To avoid falling into temptation, they were going to meet regularly and hold each other accountable for their Christian walk and life decisions.

"This new movement, called "discipleship" or "shepherding", attracted thousands of followers, who willingly submitted themselves to be accountable to their spiritual leaders in all matters, including finances, dating and marriage, career choices, and where they lived and attended church.

"Human nature being what it is, thousands of lives were ruined as their spiritual leaders took advantage of them, forcing their hapless "disciples" to give up their Christian liberty and power of decision-making, subordinating their personalities and talents for the good of the larger group.

In 1985 the famous five founders of this movement announced that their covenant of accountability was not working out and they were breaking it up. They have been apologizing for the abuses of this movement ever since.

"However, the concept of accountability keeps popping up in various circles, under new guises. Some men's movements are urging their followers to meet in small groups for the purpose of holding each other accountable.

There is no shortage of would-be "disciplers" circulating in some churches and Christian movements, looking for spineless "schmoes" who are willing to be "discipled" and let someone tell them what to do with their lives...

"As Baptists, we are people of the Book, followers of that the Bible teaches. Therefore, we should reject these notions of accountability, discipleship and shepherding that are being hatched in charismatic and interdenominational circles.

The background development of the Community Church pattern emerges out of the so called new hermeneutic or unity-in-diversity movement that has enjoyed widespread acceptance.

The new hermeneutic was discovered to be nothing more than a rejection of understanding

that the Bible authorizes by means of direct commands, apostolic examples, and implication.

Those who became embroiled in the new hermeneutic had no standard to follow (And clearly no Bible knowledge.) Dominant personalities set the pace. But, even among the likes of Rubel Shelly, Randy Harris, Carroll Osburn, Mike Cope, Jeff Walling, and Lynn Anderson no system to tie the movement together was suggested to replace the one they rejected.

Men like Rubel Shelly, Lynn Anderson and Milton Jones (post-modern) repudiate the idea of command, example or inference. However, as we noted above in reviewing Milton Jones' cover up for a dominant decision to add instruments, every note-worthy theologian until the Shellys and Jones came along recognized the common sense view that if God HAS a will He has to express that will in these three primary ways -- God didn't create these men with antenna to receive direct revelation so they may just be confused. Furthermore, they cry for Biblical proof that God has defined a "hermeneutic" in the Bible about commands, examples and inferences. Click for what we believe is ample Biblical proof for commands, examples and inferences as ALLOWABLE for God to use.

These men knew that just as soon as their new system of supposed Bible interpretation was presented to the brotherhood that allowed the things for which they stood,

such as open fellowship with the denominations,
corruption of the worship,
and a virtual eradication of evangelism,
they would be taken to task just as scholars among us like Curtis Cates have done in refuting Shelly's Second Incarnation and Osburn's Peaceable Kingdom to name only two.

It does not take long for departures from the truth to crystallize around personalities or favorite teachings. Paul illustrated this in First Corinthians chapter one at verses twelve and thirteen, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" To young Timothy Paul said, ". . . Charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (I Tim. 1:3b). John wrote of "the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" in Revelation 2:15. At least part of this new hermeneutic or unity-in-diversity movement has now crystallized into the Community Church pattern.

An article in Christianity Today discusses the fear the Germans have of Willow Creek as being to para-military for those who have gone through the Naza movement which relied heavily on music and the change agents advocated by Machievella.

Willow Creek confesses that it is the "Idolatry of talent" which they are displaying and the emphasis is not on the music. These methods exude the blood and sweat of all self-important change agents of the world:

The model or pattern for the contemporary Community Church advancing beyond the historical Community Church is the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. The pastor, promoter, and prelate of this megachurch is Bill Hybels. It has been featured on the Public Broadcasting Station as the wave of the future in religion. Its methods are promoted in seminars which broadly are advertized across the nation. Prominent preachers in churches of Christ like Wayne Kilpatrick have visited Willow Creek Community Church and returned to sing its praises.⁽⁷⁾ "Change agents" within the churches of Christ today publicly have stimulated interest in the Willow Creek model. (The term "change agents" aptly was coined by brother William Woodson in his book exposing their agenda titled Change Agents and Churches of Christ, A Study in Contemporary Problems with Change Agents Among Churches of Christ; Athens, Alabama: School of Bible Emphasis, 1994). How prominent are these "change agents?"

Dr. Gary Holloway is Director of Graduate Bible at David Lipscomb University, now Lipscomb University, Bible Department in Nashville, Tennessee. J.E. Choate, who has performed a valuable service in utilizing his vast historical knowledge of the restoration movement to provide both accuracy and truthfulness in articles which challenge the perilous putrefaction of the "change agents," wrote in the Yokefellow, September 16, 1996, about a paper Holloway read in May of 1995 before the Disciples of Christ Historical Society which later was published in Discipliana. He said,

Dr. Gary Holloway presented his proposals for this new denomination before an assembly of the radical Disciples of Christ whose pulpits are open to gays, liberals, etc. Does Holloway think to gain favor with DLU alumni and patrons when these facts become know [sic] to the rank and file of the churches of Christ?

The first option: The Willow Creek Community Church model based in the Chicago area is presented as the first of three options proposed to replace the apostolic pattern. This is the "razzle dazzle hoopla" type of high church entertainment with brass bands, special music, dramatic skits, etc.⁽⁸⁾

Note: J. E. Choate has corrected this statement. Click Here to read his retraction.

J. E. Choate further has written, "We are familiar to some extent with the contemporary 'church growth' models which are finding their way into post modern Churches of Christ in Nashville. They are the number one choice Willow Creek Community Church...."⁽⁹⁾ In this same article written in April of 1998 brother Choate said,

Only the Hendersonville Community Church elects to fly aloft the "Community Church" banner first lofted by Bill Hybels. However, the worship and practices of the Woodmont Hill [sic] Family of God more closely imitate the worship spectaculars of Willow Creek. Other Nashville churches in the contemporary worship services also feed at the trough of Bill Hybels' Willow Creek Cult.

Choate also suggested an insight into the meaning of contemporary worship and its source:

The best way to understand what goes on in the "contemporary worship services" in post modern Churches is to look again toward Willow Creek. Whatever the popular evangelical theology of the Chicago based Willow Creek church is, a major emphasis is on entertainment.

The singing, dancing, and dramatic skits performed at Willow Creek have all the color and pizzazz of a Broadway show. Rubel Shelly's church has recently employed a minister responsible for planning and presenting dramatic skits for the worship services of the Woodmont Family of God. Ruble's [sic] church is a "bootleg" version of the Chicago denomination. His insufferable ego drives him to leave the impression that he is the "genius" who has created this new model (paradigm).⁽¹⁰⁾

We have added some comments to support Brother Choate's information about Willow Creek.

THE CORRUPT PATTERN CLOSE BY

The presence of the Community Church in Memphis is directly attributable to two institutions: The Harding Graduate School of Religion and the Highland Street Church of Christ. Mission: Memphis, a quarterly newsletter for the Memphis Church Planting Ministry which is sponsored by Highland Street Church of Christ, in the winter of 1997 told of its beginning,

In the spring of 1994, a group of leaders from Highland Street church of Christ studied the need to establish new churches in Memphis. The result of the two and a half year investigation was the forming of the Memphis Church Planting Ministry (MCPM) whose purpose is to reach the spiritually lost in Memphis by forming new, reproducing congregations.

So, Highland Street's two and a half year study of the need to establish new churches resulted in the establishment of a new organization called the Memphis Church Planting Ministry (MCPM) which is led by a full-time coordinator/church planter by the name of Ron Cook. Ron Cook's unabashed affinity for denominationalism is presented in Mission: Memphis when he said, "Growing denominations are planting churches; denominations that have reached a plateau or are on the decline are not planting churches." When denominations are used as the pattern, it sounds like the way of the MCPM is the only way to keep from declining. It certainly is a wonder that any churches ever came into existence in Memphis before the MCPM was organized. Observe, the way the apostles "planted" churches in the first century was by preaching the gospel of Christ as is recorded within the inspired Book of Acts, but the Coordinator/Church Planter of the MCPM has a better model after which to pattern. And, what is that pattern? Growing denominations. Is an undisguised appreciation for denominationalism really present within the MCPM? Hear the Coordinator/Church Planter once more from the pages of Mission: Memphis, "Thank God for . . . the Frayser Christian Church who have provided free use of their classrooms for three months of weekly group Bible study." What churches has the MCPM "planted?" The Raleigh Community Church of Christ was the first plant and the Frayser Community Church of Christ was next. The MCPM is not essential to the emergence of these denominational Community Churches because Highland Street had already "planted" the Downtown Church. Perhaps the reason the MCPM does not claim the Downtown Church as its own creation is because that is a "planting" also conceived by the Harding Graduate School of Religion.

The details of the origin of the Downtown Church in Memphis were applauded in Harding, public relations magazine for Harding University, in the summer of 1995. The abstract for the article in the table of contents read, "The church in the 'hood. Plant a church in inner-city Memphis? Six students from the Graduate School of Religion have done just that--and they've moved in to make a difference." Scott Morris wrote the article which said,

"The impetus behind the forming of this congregation in downtown Memphis is Dr. Evertt Huffard, professor of missions at the Graduate School. . . . Most recently, Huffard has helped to oversee the development of a new master of religion degree in urban ministry for the Graduate School."

The Downtown Church has borrowed from denominationalism by employing the use of a praise team to replace the song leader, the clapping of hands during the singing, the presence of icons in worship, and testimonials from the congregation. Again, Morris said in the article,

Offsetting the harsh realities they face in their world, the church members recently joined together to add a touch of serenity to the inside of their building. They painted a mural that represents to them the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It serves as their focal point during worship services. Designed by a young child, the mural features a 25-foot cross on which hangs the crucified body of Christ. The body is painted a variety of colors, symbolizing that Christ was a man for all people.

Morris added, "The worship assembly includes a time of testimony during which members express their thanks for things most people take for granted." The Lord's supper (I Cor. 11) is given by Christ through the apostles' doctrine to remind and represent the death of Christ, not a 25-foot mural like the Catholic Church has promoted to the elimination of the truth of God for centuries. The word of God is to be preached in the worship (II Tim. 4:2), not the personal testimonies of the people like the denominations have used for years to heighten the emotions of those assembled (II Cor. 10:12). The pattern followed by these churches clearly is not the New Testament but the Community Church pattern.

The fact that the intention to continue to follow the Community Church pattern is present may be realized in yet another article in Mission: Memphis (Spring 1998),

Raleigh Community Church was started through the cooperation of churches. Boulevard Church made a financial contribution and offered volunteers. An area-wide fundraising [sic] dinner, also organized by the Boulevard Church, was attended by Christians from numerous congregations. Southeast Church offered advice from church planting experience. The Downtown Church loaned folding chairs and helped with a workday. Highland Street Church, the sponsoring congregation, provided oversight, some working fund and supplies. Highland's Women's Ministry donated resources through a baby shower for the "baby church." Singers from the Chelsey [sic] Avenue Church held a special concert to encourage Raleigh Community members and inspire seekers. The story of the new Frayser church plant will be the same.

While it is disturbing that such activities could ever once take place by those who were affiliated with the churches of Christ, the foreboding is exceeded in the promise contained within the last sentence, "The story of the new Frayser church plant will be the same." The collection for the saints (I Cor. 16:1-2) was augmented by "an area-wide fundraising [sic] dinner." The apostate Southeast Church offered its corrupt advice from its sad experience in departing from the truth.

Highland's Women's Ministry gave a baby shower to the "baby church."

And, the church choir from Chelsea Avenue supplanted the congregational singing the word of God ordained (Eph. 5:19)

for the purpose of encouraging and inspiring seekers to follow them into denominationalism.

Then the grand announcement, "The story of the new Frayser church plant will be the same."

Six Community Churches that remain affiliated with churches of Christ currently have a presence in Memphis and vicinity. They are the Downtown Church, the Southeast Church, the Raleigh Community Church of Christ, the Frayser Community Church of Christ, the Cordova Community Church, and the Wonder City Church of Christ in West Memphis, Arkansas. The Cordova Community Church illustrates a point that was made earlier.

The presence of the Community Church in Memphis is attributable to two institutions: The Harding Graduate School of Religion and the Highland Street Church of Christ.

It was begun by John Mark Hicks, professor of Christian doctrine at the Harding Graduate School of Religion, and Gary Ealy, member of the Highland Street Church of Christ in October of 1997 with its first worship for the public April 12, 1998, on what was billed as Easter Sunday following denominational doctrine. The new group meets in the facilities of Harding Academy, which is sponsored by churches of Christ throughout the Memphis area.

Hicks and Ealy authored "A Theological and Strategic Statement for a New Church Planting" for this Community Church which contains overall fourteen items of their unique creed. Like almost all creedal treatises written by men, theirs contains some elements of truth and many elements of error. Jesus Christ said, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9). Two excellent, scholarly articles recently have appeared in the Yokefellow published by the Memphis School of Preaching and written by Mike Hixson, preacher for the Macon Road Church of Christ in Memphis, which devastate the error advocated by Hicks and Ealy (Sept. 4, 1998; Oct. 21, 1998).

One service Ealy and Hicks unwittingly have rendered is to reveal the source upon which they are dependent for their Community Church.

It is the wildly popular book written by Rick Warren, a Southern Baptist preacher, titled The Purpose Driven Church. This book is to the Community Church Movement what The Master Plan of Evangelism was to the Crossroads/Multiplying Ministries Movement or International Churches of Christ. The "Foreword" indicates what may be produced from following the pattern of The Purpose Driven Church,

In 1980, Rick graduated from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and moved with his wife to southern California to begin Saddleback Church in the living room of their home. He began with just one family. Now, fifteen years later, Saddleback Valley Community Church is recognized as the fastest-growing Baptist church in the history of America. It averages over 10,000 people in worship attendance each week on a beautiful, spacious seventy-four-acre campus. This is sufficient evidence that Rick Warren knows whereof he speaks. In 1995, Saddleback was selected as the Key Church of the Year by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.⁽¹¹⁾

In the rage for large numbers of people and dollars, perhaps the motivation to follow as a pattern a book like The Purpose Driven Church is suggested in its "Part Four: Bringing In A Crowd." The heart of the success of the model is to target the type of people desired in the church and stylize the church to fit them. Warren wrote,

For your church to be most effective in evangelism you must decide on a target. Discover what types of people live in your area, decide which of those groups your church is best equipped to reach, and then discover which styles of evangelism best match your target. While your church may never be able to reach everyone, it is especially suited to reaching certain types of people. Knowing who you're trying to reach makes evangelism much easier.⁽¹²⁾

Notice how the pattern of The Purpose Driven Church breaks with the pattern of the word of God. Jesus Christ taught that the word of God is the good seed of the kingdom that is to be sown into the hearts of men (Luke 8:4-18). God is the one who determines the increase, and the sowing of the seed places one as a "laborer together with God" (I Cor. 3:6-9). The great commission is preaching and teaching the gospel to every creature not just to those who fit a preferential "demographic" and "psychographic" profile. James taught, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:9-10). The type of people Rick Warren's church is trying to reach are described in his book.

. . . We've named our composite profile "Saddleback Sam." . . . We discuss him in detail in every membership class. . . . His age is late thirties or early forties. . . . He is well educated. He likes his job. He likes where he lives. Health and fitness are high priorities for him and his family. He'd rather be in a large group than a small one. He is skeptical of "organized" religion. He likes contemporary music. He thinks he is enjoying life more than he did five years ago. He is self-satisfied, even smug, about his station in life. He prefers the casual and informal over the formal. He is overextended in both time and money.⁽¹³⁾

While the Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, California is desirous of drawing that sort of smug individual, the word of God teaches, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:6-7). And, Jesus spoke of the essentiality of humility for those who would entertain the notion of eternal life, "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3).

The word of God transforms the life of the believer. Paul strongly made this point when he said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:1-3). No one is added to the kingdom of God who will not willingly submit himself to the righteousness of God. Again, observe the teaching of the Bible on this point, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10:1-3).

But, proof that brethren Ealy and Hicks have patterned the Cordova Community Church after The Purpose Driven Church model needs to be presented. First, in their "Strategic Statement" they wrote, This new church plant will target the younger generation of Baby-Boomers (1955-61) and the whole of "Generation X" also known as the Baby-Busters (1962-82). This is the first "Post-Christian" generation. They have experienced the breakdown of their homes, corruption in government, and a materialistic society. Cordova is populated by this generation and they are mainly married couples with young children.⁽¹⁴⁾

The Purpose Driven Church is not unique in suggesting targeting a group to evangelize, but clearly it is integral to the pattern it proposes.

Second, in their "Strategic Statement" they follow The Purpose Driven Church model which calls for structured levels from large groups down to "cell" groups. Again, they wrote,

The first level is the celebration level.

Here the church gathers weekly as a whole body to worship. It celebrates the work of God in Christ and it laments the fall [sic] of the world.

The second level is the fellowship level. . . .

The third level is the cell.

This is the heart of the "cell church" structure, and it is where the intimate ministry of the church is conducted. This is a small group of 8-16 adults who gather weekly to share, pray and study the Bible. The group serves both the relational and spiritual needs of its members, and it seeks to evangelize friends and acquaintances through their group meetings. This would serve as the primary point of entrance into the body, and it would be the primary environment in which Christians would care for each other.

The church plant will begin with a set of trained core members who will lead various home cell groups. These cell groups will provide the context for and means by which new members will be assimilated and equipped for ministry.⁽¹⁵⁾

Rubel Shelly speaks of this new, but ancient, paradigm and recomments the confessional so common in these cell groups.

We believe that Milton Jones calls his full-fledged disciples "Assimilated Members." That is, meeting the qualifications of Christ to make you a Christian doesn't qualify you for assimilation until you learn the ropes.

This is "Participating Members" at Willow Creek and they call their peripheral members "Complimentarians" and another common term is "Happy Campers" which demands a total committment.

The Purpose Driven Church discussed "The Core" members, "The 'Core' is the smallest group, because it represents the deepest level of commitment. They are the dedicated minority of workers and leaders, those who are committed to ministeringto others."⁽¹⁶⁾ Compare The Purpose Driven Church's explanation of the "cell" groups with the "Strategic Statement" of Ealy and Hicks:

One of the sayings I quote to our staff and lay leaders repeatedly is, "Our church must always be growing larger and smaller at the same time." By that I mean there must be a balance between the large group celebrations and the small-group cells. Both are important to the health of a church.

Large group celebrations give people the feeling that they are a part of something significant. They are impressive to unbelievers and encouraging to our members. But you can't share personal prayer requests in the crowd. Small affinity groups, on the other hand, are perfect for creating a sense of intimacy and close fellowship. It's there that everybody knows your name. When you are absent, people notice.⁽¹⁷⁾

Promise Keepers Anounces its National Shepherding Network.

Third, in The Purpose Driven Church Rick Warren gave a copy of a letter he sent out to the Saddleback area of Orange County, California. This letter is reproduced in its entirety followed by a letter Ealy and Hicks mailed out to the Cordova area. The letters are the same, only the names have been changed thereby proving the Cordova Community Church's dependence on The Purpose Driven Church as a pattern or model to be followed.

March 20, 1980

Hi Neighbor!

AT LAST!

A new church designed for those who've given up on traditional church services! Let's face it. Many people aren't active in church these days.

WHY?

Too often . . .

The sermons are boring and don't relate to daily living

Many churches seem more interested in your wallet than you

Members are unfriendly to visitors

You wonder about the quality of the nursery care for your children

Do you think attending church should be enjoyable?

WE'VE GOT GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!

SADDLEBACK VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH is a new church designed to meet your needs in the 1980s. We're a group of friendly, happy people who have discovered the joy of the Christian lifestyle.

At Saddleback Valley Community Church you

Meet new friends and get to know your neighbors

Enjoy upbeat music with a contemporary flavor

Hear positive, practical messages which encourage you each week

Trust your children to the care of dedicated nursery workers

WHY NOT GET A LIFT THIS SUNDAY?

I invite you to be my special guest at our first public celebration service EASTER SUNDAY, April 6 at 11:00 a.m. We are currently meeting in the Laguna Hills High School Theater. If you don't have a church home, give us a try!

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE!

Sincerely,

Rick Warren, Pastor⁽¹⁸⁾

Now, compare the letter Ealy and Hicks mailed to the Cordova area:

March 26, 1998

Hi Neighbor!

AT LAST!

A new church designed for those who've given up on traditional church services and stuffy settings! It's true, isn't it. Many people aren't active in church these days.

WHY?

Too often people feel . . .

sermons are boring and don't relate to daily living

many churches seem more interested in your wallet than in you

members are unfriendly to visitors

uncertain about the quality child care activities

churches are self-centered

WE'VE GOT GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!

CORDOVA COMMUNITY CHURCH, a church of Christ, is a new church designed to meet your needs into the 21st century. We're a group of friendly people who have discovered the joy of the Christian lifestyle.

At Cordova Community Church you will:

meet new friends and get to know your neighbors

enjoy meaningful worship with a contemporary flavor

hear positive, practical and relevant messages of encouragement

involve your children in various activities

serve the disadvantaged in our city

WHY NOT GET A LIFT ON EASTER?

We invite you to share our first public celebration service Easter Sunday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. We are currently meeting in the Cordova Harding Academy gym. If you don't have a church home, give us a try! Nursery provided. SHARE THE EXCITEMENT!

Sincerely,

Gary Ealy (garyealy@aol.com ; 737-9330)

John Mark Hicks (hicksjm@hugsr.edu ; 761-1350, ext. 124)

See the history of Easter as the worship of Ishtar of the mother/wife or Tammuz worshiped by the women at the temple while the men bowed to the sun in the east. This is part of the Babylon Whore religion which will end with its musical ministry according to Revelation 18.

See Rubel Shelly's attempt to baptize Santa which is the same Babylon festival to the sun god.

The format of the letter which appeared in The Purpose Driven Church has been retained by Ealy and Hicks with only slight changes to the wording to accommodate the identity of the Cordova Community Church. These brethren are brazen in following the pattern of denominational preachers while dealing disparagingly with the Lord's pattern in the New Testament for the churches of Christ.

THE CONSENSUS CLOSE BY

A recent development that has passed by unnoticed by most members of the church in Memphis is a clear statement of general acceptance of fellowship with the Cordova Community Church by several local congregations through announcement of and participation in a "Day of Praise." The "Day of Praise" was held Sunday, April 2, 2000 at Harding Academy on Cherry Road Ken Young and the Hallal Singers were the featured praise team. A statement within the published announcement that should be of particular concern in this present study is: "Sponsored by White Station, Highland Street, Sycamore View, Brownsville Road, and Cordova Community."⁽¹⁹⁾ Other area churches which participated in promoting the "Day of Praise" in addition to those sponsoring congregations already mentioned were: The Goodman Oaks Church of Christ,⁽²⁰⁾ the Great Oaks Church of Christ,⁽²¹⁾the Park Avenue Church of Christ,⁽²²⁾the Raleigh Church of Christ,⁽²³⁾and the Ross Road Church of Christ.⁽²⁴⁾ This marks the coming out event of joint participation among the churches of Christ in Memphis with the Community Church. The precedent has now been set; all who now speak out against the Community Church may expect to be anathematized by the majority of the congregations in Memphis.

THE CURRENT COLLABORATION OF THE CONSPIRATORS

The Christian Chronicle is published by Oklahoma Christian University. It is Edited by Bailey B. McBride. Glover Shipp is the Senior Editor. It is published monthly and has a worldwide readership. In the March and April 2000 editions a four-part presentation strongly favoring the Community Church was given.

However, we must note that this is a dialog and dialog means differences of opinion. For instance, Michael Weed notes:

"Clearly we are immersed in a consumer/entertainment culture that dominates every area of life. The entertainment industry (music, movies, TV) now shapes the attitudes and expectations of Americans far more than family, school or church.

Game shows and rap music promote shallowness and sensuality. They also foster a narrow preoccupation with ourselvesand our feelings, as well as an indifference to life's deeper realities. Advertisers employ sophisticated marketing strategiesto exploit the very attitudes promoted by the entertainment industry. Should anyone be surprised to find these samecultural forces at work within our faith communities?

The fact that we live in this kind of culture ensures that its influences will be pervasive in American churches. Beyond the inevitable influences of contemporary culture on religion, however, modern marketing techniques that successfully sell soap and cars have been intentionally adopted in attempts to promote religion. The implications of attempts to market Christianity as just another commodity are far-reaching.

But the music is not only "upbeat" and "lively"; it also reflects the culture's preoccupation with self. It has been pointed out repeatedly that "one cannot sing praise songs without noticing how first person pronouns tend to eclipse every other subject" (Michael Hamilton, Christianity Today). But not only do praise songs center on the self, they also focus on one's feelings. The lyrics of "gospel rock" have pretty much the same orientation as the rock generation -- concern with me and what I am feeling. In a culture that elevates feelings above conviction, this shift is inevitable.

For several decades the church growth movement has urged Christians to learn from "the laws of collective behavior" and "mob psychology." Thus religion must be adapted to the entertainment-saturated and self-preoccupied consumer of religion. Worship, especially church music, must be "fun and attractive," "exciting" -- even entertaining.

It should also be clear that these strategies are more easily adopted by some religious traditions than others. Those traditions that emphasize personal experience and stress emotions and "heart religion" more easily adapt to the contemporary culture. The community church movement, for example, is a joining of older revivalist traditions with contemporary trends. Nineteenth-century revivalism was largely a para-church development, stressing personal experience above doctrine and church membership. In the community church movement, this tradition is combining with modern and so-called baby boomer mentalities that resist commitments and loyalties beyond the self. The quasi-charismatic exuberant worship of the community churches, with names like Praise Tabernacle and Victory Center, appeals to products of the dominant consumer/entertainment culture.

But the music is not only "upbeat" and "lively"; it also reflects the culture's preoccupation with self. It has been pointed out repeatedly that "one cannot sing praise songs without noticing how first person pronouns tend to eclipse every other subject" (Michael Hamilton, Christianity Today). But not only do praise songs center on the self, they also focus on one's feelings. The lyrics of "gospel rock" have pretty much the same orientation as the rock generation

-- concern with me and what I am feeling. In a culture that elevates feelings above conviction, this shift is inevitable.

A summary of the Community Church movement shows that currently the best known expression of the Community Church is the model of Bill Hybels out of Barrington, Illinois near Chicago called The Willow Creek Community Church. Along with his wife, Lynne, Hybels has written "the story and vision of Willow Creek Community Church" titled, Rediscovering Church. However, a Baptist preacher named Rick Warren while denying cloning Willow Creek has built The Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, California which closely parallels Willow Creek and has written a more understandable guide for duplicating the Community Church titled The Purpose Driven Church. These works are acknowledged within The Christian Chronicle feature articles as the sources from which the Community Churches are finding expression among churches of Christ today.

However, in the four articles there is not one word of refutation of their erroneous origins. As evidence, read the inflammatory opening statement where The Purpose Driven Church is introduced written by Flavil Yeakley, who is a "professor in the College of Bible and Religion at Harding University, Searcy, Ark. He directs the Harding Center for Church Growth Studies. He began preaching 50 years ago and has been involved in church growth research for 30 years." He wrote:

Then the big one--Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Church tells the story of the Saddleback Community Church, Orange County, Calif. Rick is a Baptist, and his church is a Baptist church, but he wanted to reach out to the unchurched and felt that the name "Baptist" might be a barrier.

This approach is a step in the direction of non-denominational Christianity, and I think that Stone, Campbell and other Restoration Movement pioneers would rejoice to see this development. It is not enough, but it is a step in the right direction.⁽²⁵⁾

"Non-denominational Christianity" has now been redefined by the church growth expert to mean increased subtilty through hiding denominational doctrines and practices by generalizing the name from Baptist to Community Church. Truly, anyone seeking "the salvation which is in Christ Jesus" would be hard pressed to be drawn to a church wearing the name "Baptist" which is nowhere found in the Bible. Surely, an imposing barrier has been erected by those who wish to advance their cause under that unscriptural banner. Why would anyone familiar with God's word or in the process of examining God's word accept the Community Church name which likewise is absent from the pages of inspiration? How easily some are toppled from the correct and eminently Scriptural name "the churches of Christ salute you" (Rom. 16:16). The name Church of Christ has been opposed by denominationalism all across the years, and one of the apparent reasons for it is due to pride on the part of those wearing unscriptural names in religion. Simply put: They cannot find their names in the Bible.

It is a mark of undisguised compromise to retreat from the name of the Lord Jesus Christ which inspiration has applied to his blood-bought church. What an egregious oversight since the church is the Lord's bride and since for the church he died, if he failed to give her his name. That is one obvious nightmare with which denominationalism has been struggling since its inception.

These are denominational churches loosely affiliated with the group from which they came which merely have shrouded themselves with the name "Community Church." The cardinal rule among them

is to appear non-traditional. They are characterized by a casual dress code, "contemporary" music, non-distinctive public speeches which endeavor to focus the attention of the assembly on a celebration-type atmosphere, inter-denominational acceptance, small group organization, personal testimonies, praise teams,

and in their beginning stages a brazen acceptance of financial support from churches they intend to take over.

The Christian Chronicle speaks in the most glowing and favorable terms of the Community Church with only the exception of a very few scant references to the contrary. Of the six articles on the subject in the March edition only one writer ventured to ask a few questions and even he dared not speak one word of criticism, just alarm while advising a "wait and see" posture. Also, of the writers selected one has helped plant a Community Church in Searcy, Arkansas, another presented the view that "this change is our historical commitment to nondenominational Christianity," another said he believes their purposes to be "God-given," and yet another currently is the minister for a Community Church in Amarillo, Texas. In the April edition no less than fourteen Community Churches are referenced not counting multiple references to Willow Creek and Saddleback. Among the names are Christ's Community Church, Oak Tree Church, New Covenant Christian Fellowship, Servants of Christ, and Grace Church. States in which the churches mentioned in the articles are located are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas. A more complete listing of Community Churches may be found in Mac Lynn's directory of churches of Christ for the year 2000,

but Lynn has dropped "Church of Christ" from the individual listings making the number of Community Churches difficult to find.

Also, he has not offered a designation in the front of the directory noting those who are Community Churches like he has with non-institutional, one cup, etc.

An array of preachers following the Community Church pattern were promoted in the April article including those who split a church in the Dallas Metroplex. Additionally, the editor of the feature, Lindy S. Adams, provided the web site addresses for Willow Creek and Saddleback facilitating their use. Two of the writers are professors at Harding University, one is adjunct instructor for Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis, one is president of Rochester College in Michigan, one is connected with Lipscomb University, one is a retired faculty member of Southern Christian University, two are self-styled church growth experts, and, as mentioned earlier, several are ministers for Community Churches. The selection of people with connections to schools supported by churches of Christ who will not oppose the Community Church to write the articles facilitates the movement by lending the impression of acceptability to the articles.

In fairness, Ken Johnson may just reflect a shallow understanding of the Community Church Denomination. However, we should be aware that "believer's baptism" means a Baptist baptism in which one is "saved by faith" but is not in full communion with the congregation until they have journed through the Old Covenant rejection of works and has a personal visit of Jesus to effectively die for them all over. He notes that:

"Typically, these community churches reflect conservative characteristics: they revere the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God; they seek deeply felt personal experience with God; they encourage traditional moral values; they regard as Christian anyone who has trusted Jesus to be his/her personal savior; they allow a variety of religious thought and conviction within each congregation; many are immersionist, either as a required mode or as an optional mode for believers' baptism; and they have no denominational superstructure, but in some cases they do have loose associational ties.

"Growing out of the remarkable national interest in the community church movement, we are now seeing a phenomenon among Churches of Christ across the USA in which some congregations are asking whether our "name" carries so much "baggage" that our nondenominational commitment is clouded. This is creating a set of relatively new experiences among Churches of Christ.

With due respect, no one is asking: someone is telling. Those who blackened the name "Church of Christ" for $5,000 a year and lots of chicken dinners now want $100,000 and sometimes a "cut of the take" to throw away the name of the Author, Finisher, Founder and Head of His church. The church of Christ will never be "respectable" and any wide-spread approval will just be a sign of lostness.

John Ellas seems to wish on this and wash on that without any firm committment. However, he says enough to warn the wise.

A disciple-making process is designed to turn new converts into committed disciples. The disciple-making process is made tangible by the "five circles of commitment" and the "life development process."

For new members to become a part of the leadership core, they must attend specific training classes and sign ministry agreements. What level of accountability are the congregation's members willing to accept?

Proactive leadership is exercised through every dimension of church life. Whatever is regularly communicated in the pulpit by ministers and elders will set the foundation for congregational core values and its direction. Are the congregation's leaders exercising proactive leadership? Are members willing to follow?

The Christian Chronicle in the April Issue chronicles the:

Southlake Boulevard Church: Exemplifying a fellowship in transition

What one year ago was one group, Southlake Church of Christ, in the Dallas Metroplex, is now three &emdash; Southlake Boulevard Church, which Alan Phillips, a deacon and longtime member of Churches of Christ, describes as a progressive Church of Christ with community church characteristics; Lake Cities Church of Christ, Westlake, Texas, an "open, yet mainstream" congregation, he says; and Cross Timbers, Argyle, Texas, a community church which does not adhere to the traditional indicators of Churches of Christ.

The three groups which were once one demonstrate in microcosm the storms buffeting not only the churches rooted in the American Restoration, but also religious groups across the nation. It all began one year ago when Southlake Church of Christ changed its name to Southlake Church, Phillips says.

"The change was not meant to be a pulling away from Churches of Christ, but a means of removing a barrier to the community," he explains. The congregation used the approach of Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Church and the Saddleback Community Church in California which Warren leads. Southlake initiated a "seeker-service" for the unchurched called "Saturday Night at Southlake" and was successful in attracting white-collar young families, Phillips says.

Some of Southlake's members were uncomfortable with the new service. Undeniably, it consumed the attentions of the ministers. "The service took away from the infrastructure and ministry to the body. It's hard to do both inreach and outreach," he believes.

Some Southlake members quietly left and went to other congregations. Others wanted to have an open church atmosphere, but maintain strong ties to their Church of Christ history and heritage. About 30 families, numbering 80-100 people, left and began a new congregation, Lake Cities Church of Christ, which meets in a nearby office park while planning for a new building.

Not long after, ministers Toby Slough and Brian Hackney acted on a longtime dream &emdash; to plant a church in nearby Argyle, a rural area becoming rapidly suburbanized. The two along with about 30 former Southlake members established the Cross Timbers

Community Church,
which is instrumental,
uses an elders-pastors system of leadership
and does not consider itself a Church of Christ.

Meeting at the unlikely locale of a local dude ranch while building a functional metal building, the group has grown to a Sunday attendance of about 250 people.

Meanwhile "the remnant" at Southlake, as Phillips terms it, only partly in jest, numbers about 750. It is, undoubtedly, "a church in transition," and as such, he says, is "an interesting example of what's happening" in our fellowship. However, Southlake elder Paul Rogers is quick to say that, far from a body of leftovers, Southlake is a "wonderful, growing body of Christ."

This article shows pretty clearly that most seeking "change" have not loyalty to "the hand that feeds them." There are two possible approaches: First you can just lie, cheat and steal the property and institute the secret denominational model you hid for all of those years. Secondly, you can be minimally honest and try to Navigate the Winds of Change. This take over effort is an example of those who didn't grasp Lynn Anderson's warning about "prayerful brinkmanship."

The fact is that the overwhelming majority did not sense any "winds" needing navigating and with the trouble makers gone, the old group finds that the name of Christ is not a hinderance.

The editor of the features is laboring under at least two misconceptions regarding the Church of Christ. One, in the introduction Adams wrote, ". . . the church they worked diligently to create. . . ." Men did not create the Church of Christ; it is of divine origin (Eph. 3:9-11; 4:1-5; 5:23-25). Without doubt this misconception is why such liberties are being taken with regard to the church. The view seems to be if men created the Church of Christ and it is not now what men want it to be, then just simply change it to fit the wishes of men today. Two, denominational church growth models can be adapted and altered to cause the churches of Christ to grow. The Church of Christ is not a denomination (I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:4). The one responsible for its growth is God himself (I Cor. 3:6-9). The method of its expansion is the preaching and teaching of the word of God (Mk. 16:15; Acts 6:7). The church growth expert who teaches at Harding and has helped start Covenant Fellowship Community Church wants the readers to believe these Community Churches are "still within the 'Church of Christ mainstream.'" How can anyone expect that to be so when they do not even so much as retain the name Church of Christ? Their attempt at worship and congregational organization is a departure from the truth, yet they demand their followers to insist that they are center of the strait and narrow road. A Christian may have no fellowship with the unfruitful division of denominational darkness (I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 5:11). Their means and methodologies have nothing to offer the Lord's people (I Thess. 5:5). Light and darkness have no communion (II Cor. 6:14). Brethren need to wake out of sleep, get back to teaching and preaching the word of God, and Christ will give all the light needed to advance his cause (Eph. 5:14).

THE CRUSHING OF THE CORRUPT PATTERN

Four suggestions are offered on how to defeat the Community Church movement.

One, expose the error of the Community Church and those favorable to it. It is right to be "set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17). Paul left Titus in Crete to set things in order, hold fast the faithful word, exhort and convince the gainsayers, stop the mouths of the gainsayers, and rebuke them sharply (Titus 1:5-13). Jude 3 still calls for an earnest contending for the faith.

Two, refuse to fund the Community Church movement by withdrawing personal and financial support from those congregations and schools promoting the Community Church. Philippians 1:5 and 4:15 proves that those whom we support financially we are fellowshiping. If one is contributing into a church treasury, he is in fellowship with that which is supported out of that treasury. When the leadership of a local congregation is dedicated to the planting of Community Churches all of the members of that congregation are responsible for the planting of the Community Churches. By withdrawing personal and financial support from that congregation the movement will be thwarted. The Community Church begins as a parasite feeding off a thriving organism. A paradoxical phenomenon is occurring with the Community Church. Older, established churches of Christ are funding the vehicle of their demise when they support the Community Church. It is very sad to note that if this continues, the children and grandchildren of members of the churches of Christ will not know the truth about the church of the Bible because the Community Church advocates are changing everything about it under the pretense of church growth.

Three, evangelize the lost (Matt. 28:19, 20). No matter what the problems and challenges faced by the churches of Christ, the gospel of Christ must continue to be preached to a lost and dying world. Many problems and challenges besieged the early church, yet the gospel was advanced to the point that Paul could write in Colossians 1:23 that every creature under heaven had the opportunity to hear it. The method authorized by God to reach lost souls is preaching (I Cor. 1:18-21). Imagine if The Christian Chronicle were dedicated to such a noble purpose instead of promoting the latest denominational craze. The millions who could be taught the Bible through that paper who are instead being coaxed into error make these developments all the more a shame.

Four, edify those who are Christians (Eph. 4:15-16). Paul said that by edifying "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4:14). Through edification the Christian dons the whole armor of God in which he stands against the methods of the devil (Eph. 6:11).

THE CLARION CALL TO THE CORRECT PATTERN

God has always had a pattern he has expected faithful men and women to follow. Hebrews 8:5 reads, "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." The apostles' teaching must be followed as a pattern of righteousness. Paul wrote, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (I Tim. 1:16). Even the righteous living of the Christian must conform to God's revealed pattern. Again, Paul said, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity" (Titus 2:7). Christians must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29; Heb. 5:8, 9; Gal. 1:10).

THE CONCLUSION

The Community Church pattern with its erroneous doctrine poses a threat to the churches of Christ. At a time when society in general seems to be moving farther and farther away from receptivity to the Scriptures, some brethren are appealing to denominational successes to glean numbers and dollars in the false assumption they are thereby bringing glory to God. Perhaps this exposure of the pattern now being used and some of the brethren following this false way will serve as a call for some to return to God's way and a solemn warning for all to "speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).

ENDNOTES

1. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: G.&C. Merriam Company, 1980), p.834.

2. Pages 18-43.

3. Ibid., pp. 38, 39.

4. The Restoration: The Winds Of Change, Jim Laws, ed. (Pulaski, TN: Sain Publications, 1993), p. 509.

5. FOCUS, church bulletin of the Brownsville Road Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee better known as The Family Of God At Brownsville Road, A Church Of Christ; October, 1998.

6. Pages 122, 123.

7. Heaven's Imperative or Man's Innovations: Shall We Restructure the Church of Christ?, Curtis Cates, ed. (Memphis, TN: Memphis School of Preaching Publication, 1995), p. 711.

8. Page 3.

9. J.E. Choate, "Hendersonville Community Church of Christ Celebrates Yom Kippur," The Plumbline, Wayne Coats, ed. (Vol. 2, No. 9), p. 1.

10. Ibid., p. 3.

11. The Purpose Driven Church, Rick Warren (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), p. 11.

12. Page 157.

13. Pages 169, 170.

14. "A Theological and Strategic Statement for a New Church Planting," Gary Ealy and John Mark Hicks (Unpublished, October 5, 1997), p. 2.

15. Ibid., p. 3.

16. The Purpose Driven Church, p. 134.

17. Ibid., p. 326.

18. Ibid., p. 194.

19. Server, A Weekly Publication of the Church of Christ at White Station, Volume 47, No. 13, March 29, 2000, p. 1.

20. The Oak Leaf, Vol. XVIII, No. 13, March 27, 2000, p. 3.

21. Notes, Vol. 9, No. 13, March 29, 2000, p. 3.

22. Park Avenue News, Vol. XXII, No. 7, March 27, 2000, p. 4.

23. Raleigh Memorandum, Vol. 37, No. 6, March 15, 2000, p. 3.

24. In Touch, March 2000, p. 3.

25. The Christian Chronicle, Volume 57, No. 3, March 2000, p. 18.

Editor's Note: This lesson on the Community Church was delivered by brother Gary McDade at the 15th Annual Seek The Old Paths Lectureship in July, 2000. This material needs to be spread far and wide. For that reason, it is now available in a tract. You may order it from the Getwell Church of Christ, 1511 Getwell Rd., Memphis, TN 38111. Ph. (901) 743-0464.

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THE COMMUNITY CHURCH BY Gary McDade: REVIEWED