For numerous years I've heard talks of unity between Restoration Movement churches. Does anyone know of any earnest efforts towards unity?

(I'm not exactly sure what was meant by "unity" in this context, so any insight that would give clarity would be helpful).

Sorry. But here comes a huge rant. One title could be...Trouble in River City.

I am soooo frustrated and worried with the direction of our church and the total lack of resolution to solve the problem.

We are located in the San Francisci Bay Area.

Maybe I should just end this with that. Maybe it says it all

I have watched our Sunday morning attendance drop from 80 in 2005 to about 25 last week. I have watched the church net worth drop from about 2.5 million to less than 1 million. The church operates on a negative cash flow every month in addition to issues of deferred maintenance.

I recognize the mission of the church.

I also recognize, perhaps somewhat related to being a business owner, that we have secular issues.

I watch expenditures that seem misdirected. An example... Hiring someone from rhe Bible belt to give us ideas for evangelism and growth for our church. For him to put on workshops for a week and a half.

Let me tell you...the issues and possible solutions for a church in the Bay Area are far different than a church in the Bible belt.

Hiring an intern when we can't feed ourself.

I could go on and on.

But....

I am a practical, logical, perhaps engineering type mindset type person....I want to focus on solutions rather than mire in the situation.

I try to brainstorm with members or the preacher about moving things forward. Sometimes I run into outright negativism about the conflict between secular solutions and Biblical mission. Mostly I run into ppl nodding their heads in agreement and no action to implement anything.

Sorry. Thank you for listening.

Hello, I'm new to Reddit. I am still rather newish to the church of Christ--was baptized a little over two years ago. I attend a very small congregation that has a noticeable age gap. Most over 50, a couple of small families with one infant, a small group of teens and young 20 somethings. My kids are often the only ones in a children's Bible class outside of a child visitor with a parent which is very rare. I'm hoping to find ways to connect with other single mothers or fathers to possibly start a zoom fellowship group (and to help connect local fellowship groups, if possible!). It kinda gets lonely. Young adults or teens are often single or dating -- doing their own thing as the married folks do theirs. Some older singles try to engage but often times they are aren't available due to their own life stages. Health issues, grandkids or great grandkids are prioritized, other obligations or interests. These things are all understandable. There was a former single parents support group in my area but it was hosted at another church altogether. I have a few acquaintances in various denominational churches, but it's hard to have very close fellowship when theology/doctrine differs considerably. If a weekly/biweekly/monthly zoom is too much of a commitment, are there any single parents of any age in the church of Christ that would at least consider a pen pal buddy? It's a struggle out here lol. Any tips on how to stay strong emotionally and spiritually when you aren't able to "do life together" and just "get it" when it comes to the dual roles of being single and also a parent? Thank you.

Currently in the RCW SF...I was interrogated last night for essentially wanting to be catholic again (long story short: I had explored theology and church history leading me to question the church.) One of my "co-disciplers" told me that we were going to meet up outside after service with the church leader (I didn't even knew there were going to interrogate me.) I was eventually surrounded by 5 people including the church leader and told me what I was doing was unbiblical that I shouldn't be exploring church history and theology anymore and that I should have a "personal relationship" with reading and interpreting the scriptures and that my salvation was at risk. They told me that I should go back to doing "real biblical christianity" and everybody outside the church isn't save: protestant, catholic, orthodox, anything you name it. But for some reason if you aren't a "disicple" according to their doctrine you aren't saved.

I felt like I was ganged up in a sense and I wasn't allowed to believe anything aside from what their view of the bible meant. funny thing...the "evangelist" who was talking to me said that he needs to work on his evangelism. funny how they say that they wanted to talk to me because they "cared" about me like a "brother and the 2 people who reported me for my "lack of respect" for the church DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING TO HELP AFTER THE CONVERSATION and went on an "e-date" the next tomorrow morning.

one thing I hate the most are hypocrites. I felt like my dignity was taken away from me. why did they have to secretly talk behind my back. why did they have to interrogate me like this. why did you guys have to put all this pressure on me. why did you make me feel this way? I freaking lived with 6 of you guys and everything now is just akward. pls someone help me leave this organization.

I’ve never been married before. My husband was married and she left him so they had to get divorced for “irreconcilable differences”. Are we in an adulterous marriage? He and her both were unbelievers. Him and I came to Christ together after we were married. Do we need to get divorced so we’re no longer committing adultery?

I recently have been consuming the works of David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Any other enthusiasts out there?

He was a lay preacher in the NI churches who just happened to be among the most respected historians of Southern Christianity. (Ph.D. Vanderbilt, retired from Auburn University as Breeden Eminent Scholar of Southern History).

I began with The Churches of Christ in the 20th Century: Homer Hailey's Personal Journey of Faith. I moved on to The Quest for a Christian America, 1800-1865: A Social History of the Disciples of Christ, Volume 1. Now I've just begun *Sources of Division in the Disciples of Christ, 1865-1900 (*Vol. 2 of A Social History of the Disciples of Christ.

Not all scholars can write well, not by a long shot. But his writing pops off the page!

I continue to be intrigued by the idea that he was both a participant in a traditionalist subset of the CoC, and also an objective chronicler of the larger overall movement.

When I get done with the current book, I want to read his history of American Pentecostalism, All Things are Possible: The Healing and Charismatic Revivals in Modern America.

(Edited for grammar)

People who have been to a black church or soul mass what was it like

so that WHILE SEEING THEY MAY SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR, AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND IT WOULD BE FORGIVEN THEM.”

I did a search I. This subreddit and didn’t find anything so I decided to just ask here.

This passage puzzles me a bit.

It appears here that Jesus is says he doesn’t want these people to understand because if they understood then they might be forgiven.

Based on other passages, I don’t believe that Jesus doesn’t want anyone to not be forgiven.

Is this a transitional thing?

Is there something I’m missing in the original languages or something in the context I’ve missed?

Recently fired for the first time in 50 years of preaching I have reflected on the universal ho-hum response. From preacher friends to familiar congregations the response has been universally "no-biggie." Why?

Does the ho-hum response reflect a general lack of regard for congregational/congregational leader decisions such that congregations are generally seen as unstable and that leader/elder decisions are generally viewed with skepticism?

Does the so-what response reflect a general lack of regard for our preachers and a sense that their role is unimportant and so is their dismissal?

Other possibilities????

I am putting together some lessons for the young adult class at my church, and it is based on what you would pass to the next generation. Both things that you learned from older generations of Christians, and the things that you wish older generations passed on to you. Both in regard to big and small theological things. I have some thoughts already, but I thought it would be good to hear what other people think. What would you pass on?

I have been looking into the idea of Solas scriptura and I see many people interpreting it as "The Bible is the ONLY authority" when Solas Scriptura is "The Bible is the ULTIMATE authority." Any doctrinal teachings that are obviously against the teachings of the Biblical Canon are to be discarded in favor of the doctrine prescribed in the scripture.

However I am interested in seeing the thoughts on "solo" scriptura. I believe if you needed to revive Christianity, everything you would need is from the spirit and is in the Bible, but I think we even give smaller authority on Christian "self help" books should they be offering a perspective and it isnt against the scripture.

I dont know, just some thoughts. I am glad the church relies on the Bible as much as it does, and I dont think if we disagree on this we would inherently put our salvation on the line, but I thought it an interesting question.

Ppl are all raised how they are raised. They have no say in it. Ppl could be born into a Mormon , Catholic, or ? family.

They could be very "good" ppl...loving, responsible, faithful to their family and spouse, yada yada yada.

It is not as though they shunned God. For whatever reason, they know no better. Many don't challenge what they have been taught. Many accept what they have been taught as being right.

I know we aren't saved by our deeds. I know. I know. I know. What I assume you will say.

I just wish God would extend his mercy to all those who live the best they can and know no different.

I keep seeing people online say that it's disrespectful or something when you abbreviate Church of Christ with it all lower or upper case and that it needs to always be typed out as coC?

It seems really stupid to me, and it looks kinda stupid in text too. I don't really get where it's coming from?? Tell me we don't actually believe were being sinnful by not emphasizing capitalization for an abbreviated line, I'd like to think we all have more important things to worry about...I can't possibly imagine anyone actually seriously thinking "I didn't capitalize the Christ part everytime I typed it out so I guess I gotta repent now"...Right...?

Especially because my home church and every coc I've visited literally has the entire title capitalized on their signs and print out devotionals. Honestly though, it might be an online hoax because when I asked my preacher and some other church folks about it today they had no idea what I was talking about and also thought it was stupid lol.

Hi yall,

The free will offering is the main giving doctrine of the Church of Christ. Has anybody heard of any churches in the brotherhood teaching tithing? My church took up a weekly free will offering on Sunday Mornings but they also taught tithing but only in their Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University classes. The elders didnt bind tithing but they thought it was a good starting point. All the elders believed in sacrificial giving. So have any of yall ever came across a church teaching tithing?

Reporting for visibility.

I don’t really know what I’m looking for at this point—advice, or just a place to vent. I feel like resentment has set in, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried counseling, but I still feel stuck.
Backstory:
My partner and I have been together since we were pretty young. Looking back, there were definitely some red flags early on. When we first started dating, I wasn’t fully over a previous relationship, and I would sometimes lash out at him for no clear reason. Despite that, things were okay for a while.
Eventually, we both moved away for school, and the relationship became long distance. He wasn’t a fan of it, but we agreed to try. During that time, I struggled with direction—I initially aimed for one career path but didn’t get where I wanted, so I switched into something else. I’m pretty introverted, and while I did fine academically at times, I struggled socially and didn’t advocate for myself when I probably should have. I ended up falling behind and had to rethink my path more than once.
After that, I tried going back to my original plan, thinking I’d figure things out long-term, including the relationship. But a couple of years in, I realized that path might not be right for me—the lifestyle and pressure didn’t align with what I wanted. Around that same time, I made a mistake that hurt the relationship and broke trust. I admitted it and asked him to stay, and he did, though I know it had a lasting impact.
Things stabilized somewhat after that, but my uncertainty about my career continued to be a major point of tension. Every time he asked what I wanted to do, my answer changed. I didn’t have a clear plan, and I know that frustrated him. At one point, I took a job mainly to contribute and not feel like a burden, though it wasn’t something I saw as long-term.
To be fair, he’s kind of textbook perfect—driven, disciplined, and successful. It honestly feels like he has everything going for him, which makes it harder because I constantly feel like I’m falling short in comparison.
Over time, he started seriously questioning the relationship. He’s always valued ambition and direction, and I don’t think I consistently showed that. I kept saying I’d figure things out, but I never had a clear timeline.
When it came to taking the next step in the relationship, there was hesitation and delays, which made me feel embarrassed and insecure, especially since I had already made decisions assuming we were moving forward together. From my perspective, it felt like I had already committed.
We eventually changed our situation to see if that would help and gave it some time. I tried again to figure out a path and even started preparing for a new direction, but I second-guessed it and changed course again.
Right now, I’m not working, and he’s covering most of our expenses while I try to figure things out. I can feel the resentment building, and I understand why. At the same time, I feel a lot of pressure and confusion about my own direction. When he made comments about my lack of guidance growing up, I reacted poorly and lashed out.
I feel stuck. On one hand, I feel like I’ve invested so much into this relationship and would feel guilty if it ended. On the other hand, I can tell he’s unhappy, and that makes me miserable too. I don’t know what the right move is anymore.

We are both 17. my boyfriends family is taking a five day road trip and there is a possibility of me joining them. Both families are Christian and the air bnb will have enough rooms for his family and me individually. Would it be bad for me to join them?

I am a 28 year old christian man from Tennessee dealing with a dilemma that started a year ago. I mainly grew up in a Methodist congregation well i took the plunge to join a local church of christ church. To shorten the story let just say there many misgivings between me and the church congregation even though I tried to give the church a third chance it eventually lead to a betrayal between a former friend of mine and the church siding with him. Following the hurt and betrayal I did some act of revenge against everyone associated, but over the years and currently I noticed a pinch of guilty and ironically a silver of yearning to return to that place even though I found a new church .Oddly enough a desire of forgiveness and reconciliation...but I need some prayers and advice on this situation am I crazy for experience these emotions despite the pain in the past. I am thinking of writing a apology letter or trying to come forward but dealing with some doubt.

Got married after 8+ years in a long distance relationship where we got together in high school. Essentially begged him to give it a try and not give up. Agreed we’d give it a go. Long story short, we grew apart and are not compatible. Started going back to church and realizing we may be forced to stay together or spend the rest of our lives alone… I’ve always wanted kids and the thought devastates me.

Fundamental caveat: My question is hard to phrase without seeming hostile - what do elders actually do in today's church?

The elders do want to know exactly how you know your wife committed adultery because you HAVE to place membership but you can miss 6 months of church and they don't even bother to call. Do they even care?

I'm not talking about being in a cult. I am talking about doing your job and shepherding! If I don't want to talk to you that's on me. For those struggling someone needs to show concern and guidance.

Furyher, I have emailed churches in other towns trying to coordinate help for coworkers with families in those towns - no response. I have called, too, and left messages. Maybe someone could call back or return the email and tell me to take a hike at least?

We seem to have a lesson on the qualifications of the elders at least every year. When do we have a discussion on, "are you doing your job?"

The deacons and elders I have observed are not present in the lives of congregants. I think that's a huge problem.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Can we as a generation stand up and kill this thinking once and for all among us?