What is happening to the churches of christ

14
^ Future of the

description

A visual explanation of Joe Beam's article of the same name: http://www.gracecentered.com/what_is_happening_to_churches_of_christ.htm

Transcript of What is happening to the churches of christ

Page 1: What is happening to the churches of christ

^Future of the

Page 2: What is happening to the churches of christ
Page 3: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

Page 4: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

• Zealots– Anyone outside the CoC is lost. – The “old paths” must be defended.– Anyone who associates with the

“wrong” people are also wrong. – Interpret the bible by Command,

Example and Necessary Inference

Page 5: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

• Satisfied– Like things the way they are (since

1950)– Why should we change? – Motivated by keeping the Zealots

happy

Page 6: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

• Searchers– Change is helpful, but not at the cost

of our identity– Want to be spiritually vibrant

without losing relationship and tradition

Page 7: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

• Cautious– Want a vibrant, exciting faith, but

don’t want to hurt people getting it– Outside of the traditional church,

but unwilling to sever ties with the people there

Page 8: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

• Opens– Okay with non-traditional actions

and doctrines– Want to stay in the CoC fellowship– Think change is necessary for growth– “Change Agents”

Page 9: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

• Exasperateds– On the verge of leaving the CoC– Have been hurt by the exclusive,

traditional people in the CoC– Have little or no hope for change in

the CoC

Page 10: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

Page 11: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

Innovative Churches

Traditional Churches

Page 12: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

Innovative Churches

Traditional Churches

Zealots

exasperateds

Page 13: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

Innovative Churches

Traditional Churches

Zealots

exasperateds

Split

Page 14: What is happening to the churches of christ

Incl

usi

ve

Exclu

sive

Change

Tradition

Innovative Churches

Traditional Churches

Zealots

12 to 36 months