The Reporter     Volume 47 # 36,  --  September 7, 2007

 

Agape’s

Heartbreaking Letter

 

   Normally when I sit down to write articles for "The Reporter" I do so with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. However, I have no pleasure in writing this article. In fact, all I feel is a deep and profound sorrow. This article was prompted by a letter written and distributed by the Board of Directors of Agape under the date of July 13, 2007. The letter was signed by Board members Rusty Adair, Jon Harrison, Mark Churchwell and Linda Blanchard. I herein quote two paragraphs from that letter. (Copies of the entire letter will be provided you upon request.) 

 

"There is an urgent and immediate need to assist the many children across Alabama who are suffering abuse and neglect. Our state services often fall short in aiding these children, creating a tremendous need for the type of care AGAPE provides. Thousands of children still need to be rescued from the harm they are enduring. We deeply feel a moral obligation to provide homes for as many children as possible. Frankly, our current service level is unacceptable. At present we have less than 20 homes that are open to foster children. Those few homes cover the entire Birmingham, Montgomery, Wiregrass and Mobile area. We have tried on numerous occasions to increase our number of homes through "blitzes" of church visits in these areas.  However,  our  efforts  have been  unsuccessful and something must be done."

 

"After much discussion and prayerful deliberation, the Board of Directors for AGAPE of Central Alabama has decided to broaden our pool of potential homes by recruiting Christian families from outside of our fellowship. This decision was not made lightly. Based on the lack of response to our recent recruiting efforts, we feel it is the only way to meet the needs of the children in our area."

 

   We, at the Walnut Street Church of Christ are deeply interested in the welfare of children everywhere. Agape has been in our church budget for years. Monthly contributions have been made and coin cans have been filled each year with joy, both by adults and children. The work of Agape has been "Our work." Numbers of people have been sent to the Agape counselors for help. Our hearts now break that we can no longer support a work that we have loved so much and have supported for to long. 

 

   These brethren that make up the Board of Directors of Agape have fallen into such error that they no longer understand the Bible doctrine of the "One church." They seem to forget that our Lord spoke of the establishment of the church and said, "...upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) "Church" is singular and "it" refers to just one. How can the Board of Directors of Agape talk about "Christian families from outside of our fellowship" when the Bible knows only one church or one fellowship of the saved?

 

   The "church of Christ" in the Bible is the exclusive body of Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23) Ephesians 4:4 says, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling." Jesus Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23) Where could I learn from my Bible about "Christians outside our fellowship?" I do read in my Bible, "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." (Ephesians 2:16) I Corinthians 12:13 says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body..." "The church" is a unique, one of a kind body made up of all Christians and only Christians. How can there be "Christian families from outside of this fellowship?"

 

   Persisting in their error the Board of Directors of Agape has shown total disregard for statements like that made by Jesus, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25) All of this makes me wonder if the words of I Corinthians 1:10-13 are still in the Bible read by these brothers and sisters in Christ. My Bible still says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 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?" The church of Christ is neither a physical building nor is it a denomination.

 

     The Board of Directors of Agape has overlooked a principle as old as the first words of the Bible. I am speaking of "seed" that is necessary for the reproduction and propagation of life. Seed produces a crop after its own kind. (Genesis 1:11) You cannot expect to plant corn seed and harvest a watermelon!

 

   The Parable of the Sower is recorded in three of the gospels, Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. Luke tells us plainly that "...The seed is the word of God." (Luke 8:11) You cannot have pure Christianity without the seed of the kingdom. The gospel only produces Christians only. The gospel of Christ produces the church of Christ.

 

   In order to facilitate their designs the Board of Directors of Agape would now have us believe that seed produces many different kinds of crops. Oh, they would never say that about a physical seed. They would never say several people planted the same watermelon seed and got beans, peas, squash and okra. But they would have us believe that people planted the same spiritual seed that produced our fellowship, and this same seed also produced Christians outside our fellowship in the Baptist Church, and Christians outside our fellowship in the Methodist Church, and Christians outside our fellowship in the Presbyterian Church, and Christians outside our fellowship in "many different Bible believing churches." ("Many different Bible believing churches" are word of brother Jimmy Dobbs)

 

   The Bible is not just one book among many when it comes to salvation. It is the only book. Jesus is not just one savior among many. He is the only Savior. The church of Christ is not just one church among many, it is the only church. Therefore, we conclude by truths revealed in the word of God concerning the one church that we can no longer support nor encourage Agape neither as individuals nor as the church.

 

   Someone may say that this matter should have been discussed with Agape and not in this paper. Let me assure you that it was. It was discussed by phone with Brother Jimmy Dobbs and with Brother Phillip Brown, a brother that is a good friend and highly respect by me and others at the Walnut Street Church of Christ. He is also a member of the Board of Agape. (Phillip, I love you brother and I beg you to stand strong for truth.) Please pray for Agape and the Board of Directors that they will do only those things that will glorify God through His church. (Ephesians 3:21)       

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Mae Beverly, Neomia Collins (facing eye surgery),  Anne Marie Freeman, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Jean Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Susan Herring, Caleb Kervin (grandson of Mary Riley), Wanda Kyser, Becky McCreary, Jo Ann Moorer, Clay Newton (broken arm), Deborah Owens, Mary Powell, Don Reynolds, Ottey Simno, Ralph Sims, Ronnie Shaver, Brenda Stallings, Mary Lou Terrell (eye surgery), Tiffany Till, Mashea Turner and her 3 pound eight ounce baby girl, Emerson, Earl & Jane Walden, Leroy Waller, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Walnut Street Church of Christ Gospel Meeting: Our gospel meeting with George Merritt will start Sunday night and run through Wednesday night, September 9^th – 12^th. The time is 7:00 p.m.

 

3. Wedding Announcement: Our wedding day will be a fairy tale a dream without end…Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stallings request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Kimberly Ann Hittell to Trenton Adam Garlock son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Garlock on Saturday, the sixth of October two thousand and seven at two o’clock in the afternoon at Southside Baptist Church Greenville, Alabama Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall

 

4. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Michael Howell, Kimberly Williams, Taylor Bodie, Lynn Kervin, Richard Shows, and Todd Till (son of Mable Till). Pray for them often!

 

5. Congratulation: Congratulation to Bill and Agnes Hammonds on the birth of a grand-daughter, Ella Grace Bird. She was born on August 31^st to Lomax and Sally Bird.

 

6. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 9^th Heather Bagents, Tony Bozeman, Kimberly Hittell, and Jamey Thomas, September 10^th Tyler Clark and Erin Taylor, and September 12^th Mixon Till.

 

7. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morning ladies Bible class will resume on September 19^th at 10:00 a.m. There will be a salad luncheon after this class. The class will begin study in the book of Romans. The ladies are encouraged to come and participate.

 

8. Address Information: Bill and Ann Walz have two sons, Gregory Schroeder and Devin. Their address is 340 B Hickory Street, Greenville, Alabama – Phone 334-437-6207. There birthdays are: Bill December 29^th, Ann March 10^th, Gregory October 19^th, and Devin June 9^th.

 

9. Secret Pals: Ladies that are interested in participating in the secret pals program for the 2007-2008 year can find the forms on the table in the foyer. The forms need to fill out and returned to Nell Daughtry by September 26^th. The ladies will meet on September 30^th at 2:00 p.m. to reveal this year’s secret pal and draw for next year. 

 

10. Area Wide Youth Devotional: There will be a youth devotional for the Montgomery area at the Walnut Street Church of Christ on Sunday October 14^th after the evening service.

 

11. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) September 9^th-12^th – Gospel Meeting – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker George Merritt – Time each evening is 7:00 o’clock. (b) September 15^th – Youth Rally – Sylacauga Church of Christ – Speakers Eric Lyons and Brint Rice – Registration at 9:00 a.m., Earlybird Singing at 9:30 a.m. and program 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. (c) September 24^th-26^th – Regions University’s Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery. (d) September 25^th-29^th – 36^th Heritage Christian University Annual Evangelism Workshop – There’s A Great Day Coming: Welcoming the Lord’s Return (e) October 14^th – Area Wide Youth Devotional – Walnut Street Church of Christ – 6:00 p.m. (f) June 22^nd-26^th, 2008 – Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street Church of Christ.

 

Fellowship With One Another

 

   Upon the establishment of the New Testament Church, Luke recorded these things about the newly added members. “Now all who believed were together had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:44-47). The closeness and unity exhibited by those early Christians has always stood out to me. A necessary part of any kind of fellowship is spending time together. The early church did this, not just at worship, but daily…doing good works together and growing together.

 

   Physical families should spend a lot of time together. When they don’t, their relationships suffer. Spiritual family health depends partly on the amount of time we spend together. It just makes sense that a Christian would want to be around people who will help them get to heaven. The apostle John named this fellowship as one of the rewards when we “walk in the light as He is in the light” (I John 1:7). Incidentally, the only other gift mentioned in that passage is the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ. Fellowship is a great gift that should not be neglected.

 

   One special benefit that ought to surface through our Christian fellowship is edification and, at times, correction. God’s plan is for Christians to use their spiritual strengths to help one another with weaknesses (Galatians 6:1-2).  Sometimes edification (or “building up”) is done with a compliment, word of encouragement, or a simple smile. Other times it must be done with a kind word of correction (Luke 17:1-4). I don’t know any faithful Christians who enjoy rebuking others…yet sometimes it must be done in order to save a brother or sister (Jude 23). Don’t trade God’s gift of Christian fellowship for friendship with the world, rather use it to help you open your eyes in heaven one day.

 

 - - - - Darrell Powell

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)