10 Paradigm Shifts for Churches of Christ

[@revolutionofordinaries]

What shifts would you add to or take away from the list? I would love to hear your thoughts? If you like this topic, there are many more videos like it on the channel...subscribe to follow along and grow with us.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

@Justin Williams what a blessing! Your comment made my day. Thank you Lord!

[@Brokenhill42]

I would add 2 more at least: 1. A shift away from shaming any doubts people have, and then being more encouraging towards questions and challenging topics. Doubts of the characteristics of God, or His providence, etc. and questions about theology or doctrine. I have known class teachers to answer with something like "that's a good question but let's discuss that privately after class". I think it's especially important to create a better learning environment in kids' classes so that they don't just feel like it's creed indoctrination/recital. 2. A shift towards being more open to confession of sin. We need more private accountability, which starts with better relationships with brethren. Many congregations, especially smaller, essentially have no need for something like wed. night invitation because no one ever goes forward! The lack of openness and willingness to admit faults creates this false appearance of perfect which is damaging to the children growing up in it, damaging to the adult members, and damaging to the visitors/non-believers... if we all project this facade of perfection then how is anyone really in sin going to feel comfortable making things right with God in that place? They usually feel uncomfortable and don't come back.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Great points! Men are far too isolated in general. Lack of accountability is bad for our soul. Thank you for taking the time to share all of that. Very well thought out!

[@Brokenhill42]

@@revolutionofordinaries Thanks! Yes I agree men in particular lack close relationships with other Christian guys. I recently moved to Arkansas and thankfully found a couple guys that are interested in having more accountability though.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

So glad to hear that! God bless you.

[@ronnym1977]

I was a child in the churches of the 60's. I do not know what or how those churches no longer exist and it's an excercise in futility trying to figure it out. I do know that church membership grew very rapidly in the 60's and 70's and I quit fellowship in the early 80's. When I returned, things had changed. I do recall one Pepperdine "guy," I say "guy" as I do not remember his title, being a guest minister one Sunday morning stating the Lord's church had become groups of "stuffy legalist." I think the churches had become so focused on "doing church right" that maybe they forgot about loving The Lord and obeying His commands. See, I even added an "and!"

[@revolutionofordinaries]

You might find this interesting in regard to the large numbers reported in the 1950s-1970s - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6K8gqKGg5dmlc0

[@ronnym1977]

@@revolutionofordinaries Thank you.

[@annemaclean6722]

I can hear your heart for the body of Christ to be grow and I think you are tapping into Gods Heart. Really enjoyed the length of time of video and what God is speaking to you.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Wow! Thank you for this!

[@AmyPert-s7s]

I see what you’re up against and I can’t imagine your message is very popular among the CoC I experienced. as one commenter stated somewhere in the comment thread, they see this decline in CoC as end times prophecy. I think it’s truly sad many are just so unwilling to reassess their understanding of a lot of things. Reading the comments brings me right back to my childhood in those pews. I appreciate the zeal for truth, but if we are being honest, pride has blinded so many in these groups.

[@douglasshoaff8390]

I was ordained in the CHCCC and later gained standing in the DOC, but i am saddened by the Progressive theology of the Disciples. Some of my pastor buddies are moderate to conservative and share my frustration with the progressive leaning. I have recommended Wineskins to many of my fellow ministers. Thank you. Douglas Shoaff

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Many in the Church of Christ are going uber progressive...it will only result in the closure of more churches.

[@lloydtucker5647]

You seem like a good, God loving elder. The changes you describe are giant steps for improvement. I hope it’s ok that I ask a hypothetical question. Let’s say I'v been a member of your church in good standing for some time. One day I announced to the leadership; _”I’ve decided that me and my family are going to forgo coming to Church for the next few Sundays. We’re going to edify each other on our own for a while.”_ How would the leadership of your church respond to that statement? Thanks.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Hello Lloyd, thanks for taking the time to comment, encourage and ask your question. I am not an elder, but a minister. As to your question, I would have to let my elders speak for themselves on that one. I can't speak for them or guess for them. If you want to know what I personally think on that, I am glad to answer that.

[@lloydtucker5647]

@@revolutionofordinaries Yes, how would you personally respond. Thanks.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

It would depend on a number of things that I would have to tease apart in that interaction. What is their time, the look on their face? One can say those same words several ways some more concerning than others. I believe we need the larger body of Christ. We need mutual submission that comes from congregating with people not entirely mine ourselves. I also believe that when/if they gather to worship God they can be church in their home, just like in the early church. People are going to make their own decisions. We can give guidance but ultimately they are responsible for their own decisions. If they have deeper underlying reasons I would not want that to go I reconciled through avoidance.

[@sixtrumpetwarnings]

If the Church of Christ starts going that way the next thing you know the Church will be preaching that the Bible is not the word of God and that Jesus is not the only way to the Father mark my words!!!!!!

[@revolutionofordinaries]

That's non sequitur brother. That's not helpful.

[@felipewatkinson2101]

Hi Matt. Could you please clarify or explain what you mean exactly by "ecumenical"? As a former life-time second-gen missionary-evangelist to Mexico, the word takes on a whole other meaning outside of the multi-denominational context of the U.S. While I can certainly identify with the sentiment of seeking unity with other believers, it doesn't necessarily follow that entire groups or even individual congregations are moving in the proper direction of submitting to the authority of scripture. Also, as a survivor of the Shepherding Movement in the early 80s, in a Charismatic sect born out of the Latter Rain Movement and Healing Revivals called "Restoration", I can testify to the rampant charsimania that continues to take place among most of the Pentecostal/Charistmatic/NAR/Prosperity Gospel circles. If we are going to abandon the cessation position, then we need to clearly define the nature and practice of the gifts of the Spirit in the clearest Biblical terms possible. Nothing less will do. Playing loose with the terminology will only reek more havoc on an already dying movement. Continuationism is not as problem-free as some would like for us to believe. In fact, it brings in a whole slew of questions that we might not have Biblical answers for. I believe God who is perfectly capable of manifesting a one-off miracle in response to prayer, but that does not necessarily mean that the person who's prayer is answered is actually able to continue to operate in that gift. Furthermore, need to consider the apostolic nature of certain gifts, without which the foundations of the church could not have been established. One last note, a previous subscriber asked a legitimate question regarding the ongoing onslaught of emergent/progressive "Christianity", which is nothing more than unbelief re-packaged. In his ground-breaking book "Faith Undone," Roger Oakland aptly addresses this stream of apostasy that is flooding much of American evangelicalism. It is a real or legitimate concern that cannot be swept on the rug so easily. I would add one other concern, and that is mystical or contemplative spirituality, which essentially seeks to re-embrace 4th Century monasticism in contemporary garb. So, while I get the gist of what you are attempting to say, there is a whole lot of unpacking that needs to happen before we go running head long into the paradigm shifts that you are proposing.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

I think much of what has been problematic falls out if we resist the urge to consolidate power and influence on a denominational level and get back to house churches that are following God’s lead. Abuses and their ripples would be minimized when things are left to individual house churches, IMO.

[@sixtrumpetwarnings]

After the older elders pass away look out!! Seducing men are already creeping in to change the Word of God and how the Church of Christ is to be properly ran!!!!

[@brandonrenfroe3269]

Wonderful thoughts...thanks for sharing them.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Brandon Renfroe thank you so much!

[@kevinbprice7448]

Simply put, Matt, I appreciate you, and all you put into this!

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Thank you Kevin! I appreciate you! Thanks so much for watching and taking the extra time to leave an encouraging comment.

[@examineTACTICS]

You should invite Rick Warren to preach. Maybe add Kenneth Copeland also! Really!?!

[@scottellis7024]

Wow... just wow. Nothing constructive(you can be constructive and disagree with someone) to add? Just make false a false equivalence from Matt speaking truth and Kenneth Copeland? That’s disgusting and dead wrong. Saying “Reallyy!?!” like everyone will just jump in and agree with you because your insight is so spot on? Comical.

[@JChris4now]

Charles with all due respect... He is speaking from experience and truth. He is spot on with ALL his points.

[@actionsub]

Not even close. Just because he's wanting to think about being "Christians only, but not the only Christians" doesn't mean he's tossing out Biblical distinctives.

[@phyllispalazzola9269]

My dear brothers, you are all missing the whole point of the Bibl

[@sweetlifealley]

Is there a denomination, or non-denomination out there that is going to heaven? And if so, who are they? Let’s say for example, that a group of random individuals came together and studied the Bible. They all agreed on the proper way of salvation. They baptized each other. And now this un-named group are now a part of the universal church of Christ. With further study, they agree on biblical worship for their little congregation. (Singing, prayer, teaching, communion first day of the week, and giving). They agree that they must remain faithful, and they agree on biblical works and do them. Is this little no name group going to heaven? If everyone in this group is doing what the Bible says, then my answer, (and I could be wrong), but my answer is yes. You see, the proper name of this group would be the church Of Christ, however, it is not the name that gets you to heaven, it is your actions as both an individual Christian and as a member of the body of Christ. So remember members of the church of Christ. We are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

When you say what "gets you to heaven" is "your actions..." I am thinking you certainly must have room for what "gets us to heaven" is the grace of God, the working of the Spirit, the saving work of Christ, the faithfulness of Christ, etc...our actions are important...even essential in some aspects because faith is essential and faith is defined by action. But let us make sure to not leave out that without God's movement there is no salvation and no matter how much we "get right" it doesn't earn anything.

[@gregking6933]

Great video and points Matt, keep at it. I echo what you have said.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Thank you Grady! Great things ahead but it is going to take some serious hard work and letting go of some things to embrace better things.

[@SamTipton]

Regarding Legalism as Jesus+ as you describe it: I think a lot about this because like all of us I sin and it causes me distress. I presume you don't mean that we can live our life mastered by the flesh like we did once when we were spiritually dead. I know that I can't do anything to save myself, but Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. the "[walking] according to the Spirit" part seems like it is a second condition apart form being in Christ (those who have obeyed the gospel and were added to the church). I've made great efforts in not walking according to my flesh so much. I find language like what you used confusing as I try to walk more according to the Spirit. Is this legalism as you see it?

[@freeman-rk1nr]

Churches of Christ are very topical in teaching to the point of arguing over key points of doctrine. Then again, many churches are. One thing about topical teaching is the congregation is limited to what the preacher prefers to teach. Expositional teaching of the books of the Bible context by context, consistently over a period of time is much better. Some churches began to do that....in the OT. Why not do that in NT? Like Romans, spending a few weeks in Romans 3 and 4 without jumping to Romans 6. Overall teaching book by book in context balances things out. Some object saying "it doesn't replace bad teaching." No it doesn't but you can have bad teaching topically so that point is mute.

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Excellent points. The topical sermons can do a lot of harm.

[@joelklein8407]

Dead on

[@revolutionofordinaries]

Thank you so much Joel! I am glad it was helpful. Anything you would add?

[@sixtrumpetwarnings]

I see Satan the devil already creeping in!!!!!

[@sixtrumpetwarnings]

Be careful!!! lest the Church of Christ go the way of the baptist church with gay pastors and gay church members and carrying on!!! what he is saying is not good it might sound good on the surface but.....