DEFINING OUR TERMS

"SECTARIAN"

PART II

When I think about the sectarianism among my brethren I literally cry. Why? Because I remember the prayer of my Savior just hours before his death: "Father, the hour is come...Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John17: 1, 11, and 20-21) AMEN! Brethren, stop using "the truth" as an excuse for your sectarianism and think about the effect it has had on those that are lost.

The Parsons (partial) list of Church of Christ sects:

Church of Christ

Church of Christ, Meets Here

Church of Christ, Anti

Church of Christ, Progressive

Church of Christ, Conservative

Church of Christ, Liberal

Church of Christ, Non-instrumental

Church of Christ, Instrumental

Church of Christ, Choir

Church of Christ, Congregational Singing

Church of Christ, Non-institutional

Church of Christ, Institutional

Church of Christ, Cooperation

Church of Christ, Non-cooperation

Church of Christ, Computer Assisted

Church of Christ, Blackboard Only

Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall

Church of Christ, Water Cooler Only

Church of Christ, Covering

Church of Christ, No Covering

Church of Christ, One Cup

(Don't forget the One Cup With A Handle Church of Christ)

Church of Christ, Multiple Cups

Church of Christ, Wine Only

Church of Christ, Grape Juice Only

Church of Christ, Elders Must Have Children

Church of Christ, Children Optional

Church of Christ, Non-recreation

Church of Christ, Recreation

Church of Christ, No Bible Class

Church of Christ, Divided Classes

Church of Christ, No Literature

Church of Christ, Printed Material

Church of Christ, No Located Preacher

Church of Christ, Full Time Preacher

Church of Christ, Pre-millennial

Church of Christ, A-millennial

Church of Christ, Anti-college

Church of Christ, Pro-college

Church of Christ, Full Grace

Church of Christ, Limited Grace

The Newest:

Church of Christ, Contemporary

Church of Christ, Traditional

And my favorites:

Church of Christ, Unity

Church of Christ, Just Us

While this list in not complete I think you get the idea. It is sad indeed that the movement that wanted to end sectarian division became the most fragmented there is. Now these sects do not have the labels on their signs (most of the time). Also it is important to note that Church of Christ sects are a combination of various positions, for example, they may be one cuppers who are against Bible classes and "located" preachers. They then will only associate with congregations who hold these same doctrines, the ones they consider "faithful" churches. The combinations are endless, the sectarianism sinful and sad.

M.C. KURFREES
1856-1931

    Sometime in the future I will review the preaching of one of the most faithful Gospel preachers in the history of God's people. M.C. Kurfrees stood with God's Word on every issue from instrumental music to institutionalism to pre-millennialism. His abilities are reflected in the fact that 45 years of his labor in the Kingdom were with the Haldeman Avenue Church in Louisville Kentucky. He was an editor for the Gospel Advocate, for 16 years, and fought every move of his brethren to make the Lord's church into a denomination. The Haldemen Ave. building never had a sectarian name on the deed, the bulletin or even the building. It was "The Haldeman Avenue Church" until the beautiful building was sold in the late 1970's so the brethren could have a place to worship that was cheaper to maintain. He proved with his life and preaching that nonsectarian, non-denominational service to God did not mean compromise. You may sing this hymn at your congregation that was written by bro. Kurfrees. Most songbooks call it "How Blest and How Joyous" but he called it...

CHRISTIANS UNITED

How blest and how joyous will be the glad day,

When heart beats to heart in the work of the Lord;

When Christians united shall swell the glad lay,

Divisions all ended, triumphant His word!

The prayer of our Savior impels us move on;

Its words are still sounded the call of our King;

And Paul in devotion, doth echo the song,

"I beg you, my brethren, to speak the same thing."

Be faithful and true till the warfare is o'er,

Till factions are foiled and the victory is won;

And millions of voices shall blend on the shore,

To welcome us enter our Father's glad home.

Marshall C. Kurfrees

I thank God that I am not a member of the denomination called the "Church of Christ." Their sectarianism is the worst in the denominational world. They have lost their influence (Mt. 5:13-16) because they spend more time fighting each other than they do sin. "Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people." (Ps. 44:14) They are not ashamed but they should be. I am just a simple New Testament Christian. When I obeyed the gospel the Lord added me to the number of the saved and put my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. He put me in His family, His church, His body, His Kingdom. That is enough for me. I have brethren in the Church of Christ and I have brethren with other names on the door (or no name at all) because they were saved the same way I was. While others feel the need to join together in exclusive groups I am content to just serve my God in a local congregation of saints like my 1st century brothers did. Being a member of a church of Christ is all I need. The "Church of Christ" is just a denomination and the most divided one in the religious world. What is a denomination? We will have to save that question for the next time.

The Parson, 1/23/05