Churches of Christ changing their name?

[cremi]

I have noticed that some churches of Christ who have gone more progressive have changed their name and dropped "church of Christ" from the title. The reasoning I have heard is that they don't want to sound exclusive, but inclusive.

What are your thoughts on this trend? I have also seen this is many other denominations...i.e. Baptist church becomes "community church", or "fellowship", etc...

 

[ModestGirlsRock]

I haven't heard that reason for the name change...My youth minister explained the reason for some church of christ changing their name is because their teachings and way of worship are no longer according to Christ's doctrine. Instead, they are becoming more "inclusive" in the sense they're adding instruments into worship, for example, and/or they're adding/taking away things.

 

[GreatBigAl]

The name is not what needs to be changed
Some of the coc I have attended shouldhave a sign up that says "We are the only true Christians" THAT kind of exclusive, cultic thinking needs to change

 

[Wizzer]

The name is not what needs to be changed
Some of the coc I have attended shouldhave a sign up that says "We are the only true Christians" THAT kind of exclusive, cultic thinking needs to change

Yep, I can say a big amen to that. In the early to mid 70's I attended one of those judgmental "churches of Christ". I remember the pastor occasionally preaching about how everyone in every other denomination was going to hell. And I saw a lot of other judgmental "crap" - and I do mean "crap". (And that is not a word I use lightly - so sensor this post if you must - but God is my witness!) Calling black people "******s" openly in the sanctuary - and it didn’t help that my best friend was black. I remember thinking something like, "Who are you jerks to place yourself in a position of judgement over others, when you yourselves are such hypocrites." So I agree with you GBA, a lot of the churches of Christ are no closer to God than the judgmental Pharisees of Jesus' day. And when the true Day of Judgement comes, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes!

Wizzer

P.S. I know that some in the CoC are embarrassed by those of their denomination who are like this, so not all of them share this same judgmental spirit, but from what I have seen, this judgmental attitude is a real problem area for this denomination. But the CoC are not the only ones with this problem, they just have it worse than any other denomination I have seen - and I saw this judgmental ugliness of the CoC up close and in person - and I have seen it in more than one CoC. And though there may be some good people in that denomination, I don’t think I would ever again go to one. Been there, done that!

 

[- DRA -]

Yep, I can say a big amen to that. In the early to mid 70's I attended one of those judgmental "churches of Christ". I remember the pastor occasionally preaching about how everyone in every other denomination was going to hell. And I saw a lot of other judgmental "crap" - and I do mean "crap". (And that is not a word I use lightly - so sensor this post if you must - but God is my witness!) Calling black people "******s" openly in the sanctuary - and it didn’t help that my best friend was black. I remember thinking something like, "Who are you jerks to place yourself in a position of judgement over others, when you yourselves are such hypocrites." So I agree with you GBA, a lot of the churches of Christ are no closer to God than the judgmental Pharisees of Jesus' day. And when the true Day of Judgement comes, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes!

Wizzer

P.S. I know that some in the CoC are embarrassed by those of their denomination who are like this, so not all of them share this same judgmental spirit, but from what I have seen, this judgmental attitude is a real problem area for this denomination. But the CoC are not the only ones with this problem, they just have it worse than any other denomination I have seen - and I saw this judgmental ugliness of the CoC up close and in person - and I have seen it in more than one CoC. And though there may be some good people in that denomination, I don’t think I would ever again go to one. Been there, done that!

Ever read the book of 1 Corinthians? Talking about a church that had problems!

So, what do you propose? They were members of the first-century church ... the one that Jesus promised to build (Matt. 16:18) ... the one He built (Acts 2:47) ... the one He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Does that gives us the right to discredit the church that Jesus built? Rather, doesn't it equip us with the knowledge of what was wrong and what it needed to do to get back on track?

 

[Wizzer]

Ever read the book of 1 Corinthians? Talking about a church that had problems!

So, what do you propose? They were members of the first-century church ... the one that Jesus promised to build (Matt. 16:18) ... the one He built (Acts 2:47) ... the one He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Does that gives us the right to discredit the church that Jesus built? Rather, doesn't it equip us with the knowledge of what was wrong and what it needed to do to get back on track?

I agree with you to a point, but there is also a point where some individuals, as well as some churches, can depart to the point that they are no longer His. And as Jesus said of some of the religious leaders of His day, "Let the blind leaders of the blind alone." This particular church needed someone, like Jesus or Paul, to come in and give them a much needed spanking, starting with the hypocrite in the pulpit. But I'm not sure we could even say this church was in true submission to Christ, for they didn't even know who He was, for they refused to acknowledge His deity! So it is very questionable as to whether they were His at all.

Sincerely,
Wizzer

 

[SoulFly51]

I have noticed that some churches of Christ who have gone more progressive have changed their name and dropped "church of Christ" from the title. The reasoning I have heard is that they don't want to sound exclusive, but inclusive.

What are your thoughts on this trend? I have also seen this is many other denominations...i.e. Baptist church becomes "community church", or "fellowship", etc...

There are mainly just two reasons that churches do this:

1) The "churches of Christ" have a bad name in many places, and these Christians want to distance themselves from the judgemental, "we're the only ones going to heaven," "we're the only ones teaching the right way," "we're the only ones who really understand the Bible" types of attitudes.

2) The Boston movement has ruined the name of the Church of Christ in their area and the community believes any group called "Church of Christ" is a cult. This is especially true of churches with campus ministries.

#2 is something we'll have to deal with in San Francisco.

Here in the little town of Searcy where I'm currently going to school, I've run into a ton of non-Christians who wouldn't dare set foot in a "church of Christ" around here because church members have been such jerks to them or they've had family members who are CoC disown them for being 'sinners.'

There are plenty of biblical names besides "church of Christ" that could be used.

 

[GreatBigAl]

Good Point
All I know is what I have experienced and what specific coc members have told me. I know that in a certain town in Texas, I was told that "If you join this church (which was called A&M church of Christ) You are not to ever go to or visit or associate with any other church in any way) I was only down there working for a few months and did not join, as I was starting my "non membership" phase then. I do know one person who was a member of the coc and he would not attend anything outside of it. It seems that they used the "we are the only true church" idea to isolate their members from everyone else.
I was also told by a church in a large city who refused to particiapte in an "ecumenical" community program, that "We will not associate with those other churches because they are all false churches" This was a community group of various churches...Christian, Bible, independant , methodist, lutheran, baptist even, that shared resources and people and talents to operate a charitable food and resource bank for people who had serious problems and definate needs. It was not aboutreligion, it was about doing something Jesus would have been proud of and helping our fellow man. The local church of christ congregations were not invloved though they were invited. I was also told that "ecumenical" is "not a phrase we use around here"....
I had inl aws who attended the coc and I went on a few occasions with them. Afterwards they all met together someplace for lunch. I don;t want to get into some of the conversations I heard, but they were not nice people. Racism, elitism, intolerance...that seemed to be all they were about. Hypocrisy of the saducees and pharisees...at work today still.
Very sad BUT inamerica, fortunately, we have a choice, We can choose to follow Jesus, or we can choose to follow the hypocrits, which is why I never go near a coc....
So changing the name might help gather people, but they are going to have to change the unerlying hatefulness of the movement if they really want to succeed.

 

[SoulFly51]

Al - I hope you don't believe all CoCs are that way.

They're not.

 

[cremi]

Thanks for all the thoughts--from everyone.

I was thinking of Shakespeare's famous quote:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet. "
I think church of Christ is indeed a fine name. I don't have a problem with it at all, but I do think there have been a great deal of negative connotations associated with the name, for many different reasons.

Wouldn't it also be appropriate to say "Bride of Christ" or "Family of God" or even "the church in (whatever location)? In that light, I'm wondering if the name is that important?

To me it's not. I just want to worship and fellowship with other believers who are of the same mind.

Appreciate the opinions. Hmmm...more to stew on....

 

[- DRA -]

Originally Posted by - DRA -
Ever read the book of 1 Corinthians? Talking about a church that had problems!

So, what do you propose? They were members of the first-century church ... the one that Jesus promised to build (Matt. 16:18) ... the one He built (Acts 2:47) ... the one He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Does that gives us the right to discredit the church that Jesus built? Rather, doesn't it equip us with the knowledge of what was wrong and what it needed to do to get back on track?

I agree with you to a point, but there is also a point where some individuals, as well as some churches, can depart to the point that they are no longer His. And as Jesus said of some of the religious leaders of His day, "Let the blind leaders of the blind alone." This particular church needed someone, like Jesus or Paul, to come in and give them a much needed spanking, starting with the hypocrite in the pulpit. But I'm not sure we could even say this church was in true submission to Christ, for they didn't even know who He was, for they refused to acknowledge His deity! So it is very questionable as to whether they were His at all.

Sincerely,
Wizzer

The Corinthians were a "church of God" all right i.e. 1 Cor. 1:1-9; 2 Cor. 1:1-7 Still there were problems that needed to be addressed. Was their response to Paul's epistle favorable? Yes, see 2 Cor. 7:8-10. In fact, Paul was concerned that they might carry things too far i.e. 2Cor. 2:6-11 & 1 Cor. chapter 5.

The blind leading the blind was in reference to the scribes and Pharisees i.e. Matt. 15:14, who witnessed first-hand the Lord -- His works and His teaching -- and rejected who He was.

Bottom line. Jesus promised to build one church (Matt. 16:18), and He built only one church (see Eph. 1:22-23 & 4:4 -- where He united both Jews and Gentiles. The New Testament reveals to us how it was organized, what it was called, what it taught, when it came together, etc. If not Christ's church, then whose church is it? BTW, the "church of God" is a reference to Jesus being God and purchasing the church with His own blood(see Acts 20:28) -- thus, the church of God is synonymous with the church of Christ.

 

[SoulFly51]

Yes, but to say that the only people who are truly saved are the ones who fellowship inside a building that has "Church of Christ" written on the outside is judgemental, sinful, and arrogant.

 

[- DRA -]

Yes, but to say that the only people who are truly saved are the ones who fellowship inside a building that has "Church of Christ" written on the outside is judgemental, sinful, and arrogant.

Whew. Do you feel better now that things are finally out in the open?

Overlooking the judgmental, sinful, and arrogant tone, I would sincerely like to know who is truly saved and worthy of fellowship that is a part of something other than the Lord's church.

 

[SoulFly51]

Whew. Do you feel better now that things are finally out in the open?

Overlooking the judgmental, sinful, and arrogant tone, I would sincerely like to know who is truly saved and worthy of fellowship that is a part of something other than the Lord's church.

Don't mistake what I'm saying to mean that someone can get to heaven without Christ - I'm not saying that at all.

Just to clarify - I'm saying that I believe there are people who fellowship with Baptists, Methodists, etc. who are saved and who are apart of the biblical church of Christ. I'm not saying that we shouldn't teach what we believe to be true either - I am saying that we need to be very, very careful about who we say is going to hell and who isn't. I seem to remember the Bible making it clear that its not our place to do that - its God's.

Understand this: I'm making a distinction between a building that has "Church of Christ" on the outside with the real church of Christ which is the universal body of Jesus.

I believe the attitude you've just displayed, whether inadvertently or not, is the very reason many people are changing the name of their fellowship so that the people in their area don't confuse the attitude of their group with those who apparently think like you do.

 

[Splayd]

Absolutely Wes. Well said.

For the life of me I can't understand why any subset of christianity claims to be the only way. Jesus is the way.

If I didn't believe in the ideals of the CofC, I wouldn't be a member, but it is definitely arrogant to assume there are none saved outside of our pseudo-denomination.

 

[Randi]

I'm a member of the Church of Christ. I'm sad to see that so many people use one or two bad experiences to say that all Churches of Christ are bad. I know of more good ones than bad.

There are bad churches of any kind, and there are good ones.

On a different note, there are only 2 or 3 names for the church found in the Bible. 1. Church of Christ 2. Church of God and possibly 3. Church of the First Born (there's a lot of debate about that one)
I think it's awful that the Chruch of Christ would change its name for any reason. It IS the Church of Christ. To take His name off of it would be very sad. It's too bad a lot of congregations are doing it.

 

[Splayd]

Actually Randi, if you really want to be super picky about names, as the NT was written in Greek and not English, the NT church was never called "church" at all. It was called "ekklesia".
There are other ways to interpret that word which are equally valid - "assembly" is one, so "Assemblies of God" is actually a good biblical name for the church too.

Biblically we could even go for things like:
Bride of Christ, Body of Christ, Christ's Flock, Household of God etc...

The name issue isn't big in scripture at all. "Church of Christ" isn't so much a title but a description. I agree that to an extent it's important that our description is apt, but it's what we're describing that ultimately matters, not the description itself.

 

[constance]

Our church is called "(town) Christian Church". Having had previously attended a "Church of Christ" I didn't feel any more Christiany at one or the other.

"of Christ" and "Christian" both indicate that the church belongs to Christ.

If it was God's will for us to be congregating in an institution with a specific label, He would have told us.

After all, were Biblical churches communities of believers, or were they brick and mortar buildings? Did Martha & Mary's house have a sign outside that said "Bethany Church of Christ"?

 

[joyfulthanks]

I know that in a certain town in Texas, I was told that "If you join this church (which was called A&M church of Christ) You are not to ever go to or visit or associate with any other church in any way)

Hmmm... At a point in our lives not too long ago, my husband and I happened to have lived in that very town and attended that very church. We attended it for a few months total. It actually seemed to me to be quite a progressive Church of Christ - especially what was coming out of the pulpit. I never once felt that they were particularly judgmental or closed to other Christians - just the opposite, especially for a Church of Christ. And being that I'm not Church of Christ and never have been, and that I really have a thing about judgmentalism and closed groups, I'm very sensitive to such things and was listening closely for any hints of that when we were there. I never really noticed any.

Was this many years ago or something? Or perhaps did you just run into an individual or two who were pretty conservative? This really puzzles me.

-Grace

 

[GreatBigAl]

Was this many years ago or something? Or perhaps did you just run into an individual or two who were pretty conservative? This really puzzles me.

-Grace


It was several years back but the persons who told me this represented themselves to be "leaders' in some capacity. I never went back, but I know someone who did and he would not attend any event or have anything to do with any project or program that involved any other church. They really seemed to want to be isolating their flock from everyone else.

I simply don't recognize the authority of any congregation or any individual who claims to be a leader, minister or whoever to tell anyone where they can and cannot worship or who they can or cannot associate with. I have posted elsewhere of CF about my beliefs in "church authority"
As one person said, "don't just walk away from churches like that..RUN AWAY!"
IF they were truly in touch with Jesus and IF God were truly at work in the congregation and IF the Power of the Holy Spirit truly touched their lives and works, then what would they have to fear and hate? Why would they be so afraid of what other churches do? And do they realize that for every person they rope in to their flock with their fear tactics and intimidatio, there are dozens others who will have nothing to do with them. S do they realize the bad name they are giving the coc ?