If you moved into a new town and there was a strong and growing Evangelical church, and a weak and declining Christian church, which would you likely attend?
This question has bothered me since the first time I read it a couple of weeks ago. Of course I understand the intent of the question, which is to test "brand loyalty" to the independent Christian Churches, but I have a hard time imagining the scenario.
Taking the question literally as possible, I will imagine first that I've moved to a town where there really are only these two churches. If the weak and declining Christian Church was that way only because of an aging membership, not because of some deep dysfunction in the congregation, I believe I'd go there. If whatever leadership was there didn't mind, I'd start children and youth activities for my kids and invite their friends. These might or might not take place on church property, but I'd see it as necessary. If there were no preacher, I'd offer to preach. That is all because of who I am, though. I have experience in church leadership and have theological and ministerial training. My answer to this question is influenced by all that.
Now, imagining a more realistic situation where there really are more churches than just those two, or where there are neighboring towns within driving distance, here's what I'd do:
First, I would check the town for an a cappella Church of Christ (that is, after realizing that the independent Christian Church had problems). If there was one and it was healthy, without too much sectarianism, I'd take the family there. If not, I'd keep looking.
Second, I would search the neighboring communities for a healthy church of either independent or a cappella backgrounds.
Third, if no church of either of the above branches of the Stone-Campbell Movement were available, at least not one in good conditions for a small family, I'd start looking at Disciples of Christ congregations.
Fourth, if no other option presented itself, I'd probably end up attending the evangelical church, but would start a Bible study in my home with a view toward it becoming a house church, then possibly a new congregation.
UPDATE
The complete series of posts on this topic:
Does the Restoration Movement Matter? (1-7)
Being from the non instrumental CoC, I was faced with this situation. We considered evangelical churches but couldn't feel comfortable with theology so we landed at the Ind. Christian Church. It has been a relatively soft landing for us. We live in a small town and weren't willing to drive 45 plus minutes for other options.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your comment. It's interesting how often I've heard of people going from a cappella Churches of Christ to independent Christian Churches, vice versa and recently even folks from Churches of Christ going to the Disciples. This exchange of members is more common than many people probably know.