Why is Florida so prominent in the Non Institutional Churches of Christ? It feels like Florida may be the epicenter of that part of the movement. I know Florida College was established in the 40's or so there.Like whats the history of why Florida is so big for those churches?

I don’t know if anyone else is feeling this way, but I’ve been a Christian for about 35 years. I was raised by strong Christian parents and always attended church. I used to have so much interest in church and so much passion but now I just don’t feel much of anything anymore. It all feels so empty.

I think a lot of it (for me) is the fact that I’m just not learning. I’m not being challenged. For example, here are some notes from a Wednesday night Bible class (see attached picture).

There’s just no meat on the bone. And every sermon and class is like this, regardless of the church I visit. Another Wednesday night class is on the topic “Things We Surely Believe,” and it’s all about going over the 5 acts of worship (again). Going over the elementary principles… to a Wednesday night class 🙄

And people I’ve mentioned this to have blamed me, saying it’s a heart issue.

I just feel alone with this frustration and had to share and get it off my chest. I just wish the churches in my area were actually committed to spiritual growth and not rehashing the basic tenets of our faith.

Having grown up (and still attending) Churches of Christ, we would occasionally touch on the topic of Paganism and Witchcraft, but rarely in depth, and rarely with a focus on how to actually combat it. I ended a marriage after discovering my wife's secret lesbian affairs and her leaving the church and turning to witchcraft, but we share children, so her influence on them is frightening to say the least. This has led me to studying these topics in depth, not just to know how to spot it, but where these originate, the philosophies, and influences on society and believers alike. This is a DEEEEEP rabbit hole, but with the rapid growth of Wicca and statistics of around 80% of the population (and 60% of those claiming to be Christians) involved in new age practices... It's time we gear up for battle against something far darker than Institutionalism, One Cup/Multi, Bible Class or not, etc which has blinded our focus on fighting the devil.

I'm looking to build a bible study course around these topics that churches could employ as part of their teaching programs and beyond.

I'd like to network with any Christians that have had experience in these, either with friends of family that have fallen into it, or experiences having left it. I'd also like to build a community of support around those dealing with it in some way and experienced teachers that can peer review the course as Its built.

Please share your experiences below. Or reach out to me, I'd like to get to know you and your experience.

My NI church doesnt like the term Non Institutional. Is this common? I get the impression from them that they think its a mainstream Church of Christ term. I have heard them call themselves conservative but that means different things to different people.Has anyone else ran into this?

I am doing some research based on personal experiences in local small churches. I have noticed in the last 35 years a disturbing trend about what the church calls "sharp" people or members. One of the main goals of the church is to get people to have ownership of the church, to find something they want to make their own and do it with all their hearts. Influencing someone in this direction is really a challenge because lets face it, most people are spiritually lazy. But occasionally some cream rises to the top in the form of high capacity individuals who just go all out and create huge impacts. The same goes for anyone who could be labeled an innovator. They basically get used up and then somewhere along the line, leadership either tries to diminish their capacity or worse marginalizes them, pushing them aside. I am really interested in hearing some examples of this if it happened to you and how you dealt with it. So far what I have surmised is that the church basically runs off all innovators when they become threatened or the "certainty" of their interpretation is in question. Thoughts?

tune in to one of the best churches on the westside no judgement just love and christ and his words of truth AMEN

I am a member of the church of Christ, and I identify with the G.

I’m no longer “Campbellite” as I moved denominations decades ago, but my father was devout Church of Christ and I’ve been thinking I want to learn more about why. Can anyone please recommend faithful study guides or literature? Thank you

Hi yall,

Did any of your churches growing up have Timothy Class and Tabitha Class for the the kids? Do any Churches of Christ still have them? I attended Timothy Class at my church as a little kid where we were taught to deliver sermons and lead prayers in the hope that some of us would grow up to be pastors and elders and deacons. Tabitha Class was the class for the females back then.Thanks in advance.

I am not referring to women in any sort of leadership position and this post is not intended to address that topic at all.

I am curious if any women have found an unconventional way to serve.

Full disclosure: I am a woman whose interests/abilities don’t always line up well with traditional roles. If you need your brakes and rotors replaced, I’m your gal but nobody wants to eat my casserole at the potluck.

Also, I am wondering how folks might feel about women serving in more non-traditional roles such as maintaining the website, operating the audio-visual systems, maintaining the building/grounds, driving the VBS bus, etc.

I know this will be very congregation specific. Just wondering about others’ experiences.

Wsg My homies and Gen Z Fam, Have you ever wanted to go to church or look into the Bible for the first time W. You should join the Gen Z church and we'll be reading through the Gen Z Bible where you can read and learn about the GOAT of History...
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I do not understand why this is looked down upon or a sin.

I’ve heard the “burden of proof argument” and my response is microphones, projectors, plastic communion cups, suit and ties were also not explicitly used in the first church (obviously) but those are okay in worship service ? Why do we pick and choose what gets applied when it comes to instruments? Jesus was very direct and clear in his teachings, if he didn’t want instruments why would he not be clear about it like he was with so many other things ?

My family has started going to a church of christ because they have a school that my children attend. I’m trying to understand this logic but I don’t understand. Congregational singing can be beautiful but i look around and many people seem like they are going through the motions and focusing on making sure they hit their “alto part” or whatever. Where is the joy in the house of the Lord ?

Basically the title. How do we know the authorship of the book of Matthew?

ETA: This is another in a series of questions that I have. I have had some doubts over the last years and I'm trying to work through them.

My research shows they are: Anti-egalitarian. Anti-dispensationalist (no separate salvation or destiny for Israel). Anti-charismatic. Anti-Calvinist. Anti-evolution. Pro-Adult Baptism. This is the only Christian Church Group that actually tells the truth about what it actually says in the Bible and therefore what God says. If you believe the bible is inerrant with no contradictions and is God breathed and want a denomination the teaches what the Bible teaches the Church of Christ looks like it might be that. The only other possible option might be the Apostolic Christian Church (American or Nazarene). Or perhaps some Baptist denominations that are not Dispensationalist nor Calvinist.

Dear God, thank You for this new week and for opening my eyes to see it. Life is precious, and I can’t thank You enough for this gift.

Your word in Psalm 5:11 says, “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.” God, as I step into this week, let Your angels surround me and lead me to the rock that is higher than I am when my heart feels overwhelmed. You’ve been with me through every situation I’ve faced, and even when my tears tall, I trust that You see the bigger picture. You’re sovereign, and You’re greater than any problem l’il ever face. I’ll never stop being thankful because You never stop being good.

I agree that immersion is what best represents what they mean when scripture speaks of baptism.

Out of curiosity, I did a little bit of research on the argument behind sprinkling instead of immersion; not much albeit but just to kind of get a grasp for the defense Catholics provide for pouring and sprinkling and this is what I learned:

Catholics do agree that immersion is the best representation of death and resurrection and that it more fully reflects the sacrament rather than pouring or sprinkling.
Additionally, the Eastern Catholic Church uses immersion more exclusively than other sections of Catholicism

However, here is one of the arguments that they make to justify the validity of pouring and sprinkling that I found:

“Additionally, practical difficulties exist today that can prevent immersion for some individuals, for example, people with certain medical conditions—the bedridden; quadriplegics; individuals with tracheotomies (an opening into the airway in the throat) or in negative pressure ventilators (iron lungs). Again, those who have recently undergone certain procedures (such as open-heart surgery) cannot be immersed.
Other difficulties arise in certain environments. For example, immersion may be nearly or entirely impossible for desert nomads or Eskimos. Or consider those in a hostile setting, such as a Muslim regime, where baptisms must be done in secret, without adequate water for immersion.…” “The Catholic, who believes baptism confers grace and is normatively necessary for salvation, maintains that God wouldn’t require a form of baptism that, for some people, is impossible.” (https://www.catholic.com/tract/baptism-immersion-

This is just something that I wanted to look into to see the reasoning behind, although I agree that baptism=immersion. However, it does make me question the point they made about those with physical or environmental difficulties. What are they to do in this situation if it’s practically impossible to be immersed? Whats your solution for someone in that predicament?

How sure are you guys that hell is eternal conscious torment?

ECT dyslexia got the best of me 😂

Hi yall,

Has anybody else noticed people leaving the Mainline Churches of Christ for the NI churches. My family were among those who made the switch but I plan on going back to the mainline at some point when I can. I assume my parents will stay NI. This friend of mine at my current church said a lot of people from the Mainstream churches are leaving for the NI churches.

Is this a current trend in the brotherhood? I was the only one in my family who even knew about the 50's and 60's Church split before we joined. I knew the church was NI as soon as I noticed there was no kitchen or fellowship hall.

Hello!

I'm Baptist, but also in the process of deconstructing my faith. I'm undecided at the moment, but wondering if Church of Christ might be a good fit for me?

I have no direct experience wirh the CoC, but I was exposed to Max Lucado through my mom, though I understand he kinda deviates from standard CoC views.

A lot my own views have been heavily influenced by Dr. Michael Heiser. He was an evangelical, but challenged many dogmas and presuppositions commonly held by Protestants such as penal substitutionary atonement and an overly Reformed/forensic view of justification. While he didn't like traditons or denominations (since they color one's interpretation of the Bible) I think I see some similarities between his teachings and the Church of Christ. I think some of his other teachings, however, might be controversial in the CoC, such as the divine council and his use of extra-biblical sources for hermeneutics.

I want to ask a couple of questions to better determine if the Church or Christ is for me:

1. What is the CoC'a understanding of free will? I common accusation I hear is that y'all are semi-pelagian. Is that a strawman? How do you understand original sin?

Personally, I am a Provisionist, albeit tentatively. I just know I'm neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian.

1. Is there a spectrum of views about baptism? I heard the CoC teaches baptismal regeneration. I think I'm somewhere between the Baptist view and the CoC. I don't think the rite of baptism itself regenerates or washes away sin, but it's still a core part of the conversion process. It is still necessary for obedience to Christ. So, I do think if someone claims to be born again but refuses the opportunity to be baptized, then their faith isn't sincere.

2. Are there any parts of the CoC faith I might be overlooking and need to consider before deciding?

I can’t understand why people in church have to rub/scratch/massage their mates back during the service. It never fails that it’s either someone sitting in front of me or directly in my eye site. I want to pull their hair out, or stick a pencil in their ear! You’re not at home in your living room or bedroom! I even witnessed one woman put her hand up her husbands shirt to rub his back. Stop it! Please!

Good day, let's discuss traditions in the church!

#1What are some traditions of old that we should hold on to, and remain steadfast in?

#2 What are some traditions that you see that may be a judgement that can be improved?

#3 what are some traditions that may be false doctrine thst could cause of to sin?