1. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 1

2. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 2 There have been many questions pertaining to the “WORK” of the church. There have been many questions pertaining to the “WORK” of the church. What?Who?When?How?

3. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 3 a) Whatever we choose??? b) Whatever “seems right” to us??? c) Only the work HE has given us to do? 1) What does the Lord intend for His church to do in this world? _____ 2 Tim 3:16,17; Col. 3:17

4. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 4 a) However we choose??? b) Any way that “seems right” or “best” to us??? c) By seeking out and following the New Testament pattern? 2) How does the Lord intend for us to do the work He has given us to do? ______ 2 Tim 3:16,17; Col. 3:17

5. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 5  The Lord has equipped local churches to do the work that He has given them to do – *If more organization is needed to carry out a work than is found in the NT – then it should be obvious that such a work is NOT a work of the church – (whether establishing other institutions or reorganizing the local church)

6. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 6  Self-Edification, i.e. to build up and strengthen itself (Acts 20:28, 32; Col 2:6, 7).  Evangelism - Preach the gospel to the lost (Mat 28:18-20).  Benevolence – Providing the needs of destitute Christians (Acts 6:1-4)

7. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 7  A local church caring for those of its own number - (Acts 4:32-37).  A local church Caring for its own widows – (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Tim 5:3-16 ).  The church in Antioch sent to the brethren in Judea – (Acts 11:27-30).  The churches in Macedonia, Achaia, and Galatia sent to the church at Jerusalem – (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-5; 9:1,2 ). 2 Cor 8:4

8. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 8 The universal needThe universal need – Rom 3:9,10,23; Ep 2:1-3,12 The ONLY hopeThe ONLY hope – The gospel – Rom 1:16,17; Acts 10:6,22,32; 11:14; Rom 10:14- 17 Thus the great commissionThus the great commission – Mat 28:18- 20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8

9. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 9 1 Tim. 3:15 (NKJV) but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

10. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 10  The churches of Macedonia – (Helped supply Paul’s necessities) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9  The church at Thessalonica (Went everywhere preaching the word of the Lord)– 1 Thes 1:8  The church at Philippi – (At one time was alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him “time & again”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18  The church at Antioch – (Sent Barnabas & Saul) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27  The church at Jerusalem – (Sent Barnabas out as far as Antioch) - Acts 11:19-23

11. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 11 Support a gospel preacher locallySupport a gospel preacher locally Support a gospel preacher in another areaSupport a gospel preacher in another area Support a gospel preacher with other churchesSupport a gospel preacher with other churches The church in Little Rock 1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8; 12:13

12. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 12 Support a gospel preacher locallySupport a gospel preacher locally Support a gospel preacher in another areaSupport a gospel preacher in another area Support a gospel preacher with other churchesSupport a gospel preacher with other churches Romania The church in Little Rock Phili. 1:3-5; 4:15

13. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 13 Romania Support a gospel preacher locallySupport a gospel preacher locally Support a gospel preacher in another areaSupport a gospel preacher in another area Support a gospel preacher with other churchesSupport a gospel preacher with other churches 65 th St Church of Christ Fairview Church of Christ Athens AL 2 Cor. 11:8,9 Concurrent Cooperation

14. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 14 Support gospel preachers through another organizationSupport gospel preachers through another organization Support gospel preachers through an unscriptural arrangementSupport gospel preachers through an unscriptural arrangement 65 th St Church of Christ 65 th St Church of Christ M. S. C. Scripture???

15. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 15 65 th St Church of Christ S. C.  Violates the principle of church autonomy – 1 Pet 5:2  Violates N.T. pattern of church cooperation (i.e. Concurrent Cooperation) one church acts as the agent for other churches –  Creates an arrangement of centralized control – Church of Christ Athens AL Church of Christ Fairview

16. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 16 65 th St Church of Christ S. C. Church of Christ Athens AL Church of Christ Fairview Collective Cooperation

17. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 17 Collective Cooperation Asia Africa Europe Russia Canada

18. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 18 Biblical Pattern Arrangement - Direct Condition - From Ability to Need Purpose - Alleviate Need The church in Little Rock A church Else- where Gospel Preacher Needy Saints Phili 4:15-17; 2 Cor 11:8; Acts 11:27-30 Concurrent Cooperation

19. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 19 Authorized Activity: Evangelism - 1 Thess. 1:6-8; Phil. 4:15-16 Authorized Means: News Paper; Bulletin; Radio; TV; Pulpit; Home Bible Studies; Internet Unauthorized Means: Other institutions; Unscriptural Cooperation; Centralization of Control Authorized Activity: Singing psalms, hymns & spiritual songs – Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 Authorized Means: Parts; Pitch Pipe; Song Leader; Song Books Unauthorized Means: Choirs; Solo’s; Mechanical Instruments -

20. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 20 Place – Preacher Amount of support The Work Missionary Society Transfer Individual Local church Saints EldersDeacons Phili 1:1 Acts 4:20; 8:4; 1 Pet. 3:15

21. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 21 A television & radio broadcast under the oversight of the elders of the Highland church of Christ in Abilene TX: Conception: James Williford and James Walter Nichols set up a five-radio station network in Iowa and Wisconsin using the name Herald of Truth in 1947. February 10, 1952, thousands throughout the U.S. heard the Herald of Truth on 31 stations of the ABC radio network In 1968, approximately 3, 000 local churches financially contributed to the Herald of Truth organization The Herald of Truth is an entity that is umbilically affixed to the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene and yet it maintains its separate status. The Herald of Truth is a legally structured organization that has its own board and treasury.

22. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 22 A television & radio broadcast under the oversight of the elders of the Highland church of Christ in Abilene TX: The Herald of Truth is an arrangement that involves the pooling of resources that is unknown to the New Testament; The Herald of Truth is against the autonomy set forth in the New Testament The Herald of Truth and all sponsoring church practices involve a violation of the local church independence taught in the New Testament The Herald of Truth constitutes a centralization of power The teaching done was eventually watered down – WHY??

23. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 23 THE MABELVALE CHURCH OF CHRIST " Search:" " Search:" Television ministry of the church of Christ, Edmond, OK - Mack Lyon is the regular speaker for the television program In Search Of The Lord's Way. Gospel Gleaner quarterly publication Gospel Gleaner quarterly publication - a quarterly publication of the Mabelvale Church of Christ in Mabelvale, Arkansas and the Mountain Home Church of Christ in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Gospel Gleaner is also supported financially by interested sister congregations and individuals and is mailed free of charge to its subscribers. Gospel Gleaner is dedicated to restoring New Testament Christianity. Dennis Gulledge Editor.

24. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 24 River City Ministries North Little Rock, AR www.rivercityministry.org ( We exist to meet the felt needs of urban residents in Little Rock and North Little Rock in the name of Jesus.) Search TV Program Edmond, OK www.searchTV.org Silver City Church North Little Rock, AR www.silvercitychurch.com (The Silver City Church is a Group of Christians who meet together in Downtown North Little Rock. We meet each Sunday at noon at the Gardner Memorial Methodist Church @ 1723 Schaer Street. Some are members of both pleasant Valley & Silver City) Truth for Today Searcy, AR http://www.biblecourses.com World Christian Broadcasting Franklin, TN http://wcb.faithsite.com Pleasant Valley Church of Christ

25. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 25 Mark 16:15 (NKJV) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

26. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 26 Sponsoring Church Arrangement The “Mother Church” Concept? - The “Catholic Church’s” Concept - The “Denominational” Concept? – Answering Arguments used to advocate general benevolence The door that brings the Sponsoring church arrangemen t into evangelism brings in many other things

27. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 27 What is the issue? –  A violation of church autonomy - When the elders of a congregation receive funds for the work of evangelism from other congregations – then their oversight is no longer limited to “the flock which is among them,” (1 Pet 5:2).  This violates the N.T. pattern of concurrent cooperation by practicing collective cooperation –  And centralizes the financing and oversight of a work thus violating the N.T. pattern of church organization.

28. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 28  Instead of one enormous organization functioning to perform the collective work involving thousands of local churches,  God's plan is that each local church do their own work that God has assigned - and that work to be overseen by the elders of that church.  Such is not only what we see taught in the scriptures, but it also averts power struggles and widespread contamination when moral or doctrinal issues develop within the influential entity.

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30. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 30 Community Outreach MinistryMinistry LeaderContact Information Children's HomesSam McDonald (501) 835-0997 Send an E-mail Send an E-mail River City MinistryKyle McNeese (501) 753-7047 Send an E-mail Send an E-mail VisitationRalph Stewart(501) 988-9761 World Bible SchoolMarcel Bertholet(501) 834-2285 Church Facilities MinistryMinistry LeaderContact Information Family CenterDoug Childress(501) 834-1533 Grounds MaintenanceAaron Bussard(501) 835-8640 Fellowship MinistryMinistry LeaderContact Information Congregational Enrichment / Meat & Mingle Brian Bussard(501) 834-5503 Scott Horton (501) 771-1888 Send an E-mail Send an E-mail Scott Teague (501) 834-4227 Send an E-mail Send an E-mail Senior FellowshipFarrell Falwell(501) 835-6375 JAMMark Fonville (501) 835-8733 Send an E-mail Send an E-mail 7th-12th Grade ActivitiesRonnie Swayne(501) 834-0616

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