Letters to the Editor
We always appreciate hearing from our readers. In the future, we would like to encourage readers to respond in the comment boxes after the articles. But you may also send us letters via e-mail at christianstandard@standardpub.com, and through the mail: Christian Standard, 8805 Governor’s Hill Drive, Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45249. We look forward to reading your comments!
Leadership Unhappy with Article
(posted 4-30-13)
The leadership at the church I serve is upset about the “What’s Next?” article by Brian Mavis entitled “Women Preaching” in the April issue. We are no longer subscribing to the STANDARD and are not putting it in the foyer for people to take home. My personal take is that we need to consider the words of 1 Timothy 2 as more than cultural. However, it saddens me that we no longer take the STANDARD.
—Davon Huss
Keep up the good work!
(posted 10-8-12)
I absolutely love the new monthly Christian Standard! I could not put it down! I have read it from cover to cover! Every article was great Especially liked “Stewardship: What Have We Done to This World?” and “Let me Tell You How You Should Vote”
I have cut these two articles out and am using them in my daily prayer time.
I am a 71-year-old widow and have been a Christian for 50 years.
Keep up the good work!
—Niomi White
Columbus, OH
Bothered by Two Things
(posted 7-2-12)
(The letter is in response to Paul S. Williams’s column “The Biggest Factor Is Chance?” in the July 1 issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–a column that is not yet posted.)
Paul, I’ve known you for 40 years. I’ve read your column in the STANDARD for years. Your comments in the July 1 issue prompted me to write you. Maybe you were being sarcastic; maybe you were just fishing for letters like this. Either way, here is my response.
What bothered me were your words, “A lot of it is luck” and “Maybe he [God] does give me a nudge in a particular direction every now and again. . . .”
Wow! Do you really believe in luck? Rather than the Lord guiding your life?
Forty years ago the Lord made it clear to me that he wanted me to go to Bible college. As an accountant, I knew that was financially impossible. Age 33, a wife and three young children, I couldn’t see how it was possible to quit my job and enroll in Bible college. But the amazing part is, the Lord made it all happen. My part on November 15, 1971, was to promise him that wherever he led, I would go. He did the impossible.
In looking back over my life, I can see the times and the ways he did “direct all my paths,” as promised in Proverbs 3:5, 6. Most of the guidance from him has been recognized after it happened. But on one unique occasion, he spoke to me in a way that only he could have done—“Go see Mrs. Baker.” After losing a mental debate, I went to see Mrs. Baker. The whole story takes too many words for this letter, but the end result proved that he had directed me to see Mrs. Baker one last time before she went to Heaven.
After much thought and prayer, I decided to write you and share my heart.
—Tom Burbrink
Via e-mail
‘Other Areas that Need Planting’
(posted 6-6-12)
My husband and I feel blessed to have both been raised by Christian parents in Restoration churches. We continue to watch them serve the Lord as they are getting older. Our 16-year marriage has been built on Christian principles. We seek the Lord’s guidance in all areas of our lives. We are striving to teach our two children to live for Jesus and serve him each and every day, not just “at church.”
Being raised in areas of the United States with multiple Restoration churches in our hometowns, we grew up with ample opportunities to serve and fellowship with many others who held the same principles. Church camps, youth retreats, and even monthly Sunday evening singspirations were just a few of the ways we fellowshipped with other Christian church members. Those times were precious to know that we could come together with other Christians who held the same beliefs on those essentials of the church that were so important to us.
A recent job change for my husband has taken us to the South. We live in a highly populated city. However, we now live in a state where the Restoration church we both grew up in is almost nonexistent. This has been a surprise to us. Our desire to serve the Lord remains constant, yet we struggle to understand how the Restoration church is not as vibrant and alive here as it is in many other states of our great nation.
A recent trip back home allowed us to attend our home church and get caught up on some of the CHRISTIAN STANDARDs we used to look forward to getting each Sunday. Our parents save them for us so we can read what is going on in the Restoration churches. We noticed your article on the Restoration megachurches and growing churches of the United States. It was interesting for us to read the lists of these churches and see how many of them are within the same states. It never occurred to either one of us that we would one day live in a state where the closest vibrant Restoration churches are possibly hours away.
We attended the North American Christian Convention last year with our children. We enjoyed it very much but were saddened to know that most people in our state would have been as clueless about the convention as those Dudley Rutherford interviewed in his preconvention plug; what is the NACC? We had attended the National Missionary Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, the November before and heard him promoting the convention in Cincinnati.
Our purpose in this letter is to simply let you know the reaction we had to reading your list of growing churches. We are so pleased that the Restoration churches are growing and serving in certain areas of the country. There are, however, other areas that need planting. There could be such a harvest here. We pray that someday the Restoration Movement will be intentional to move South and to all areas of the country that are lacking a strong Restoration church presence.
—The Meadows Family
Via e-mail
Like ‘Extended Families’
(posted 5-29-12)
Small churches make up the majority of churches of any denomination; here are some of the reasons why:
Via e-mail
‘Keep Up the Good Work!’
(posted 3-9-12)
Several years ago, I started picking up CHRISTIAN STANDARD and The Lookout for my Grandmother, who lives in an assisted-living facility. Having grown up in the Christian church, I was familiar with both publications, but considered them more for “older people,” not a young 40-year-old like myself. Oddly enough, I found myself reading the magazines and have come to love CHRISTIAN STANDARD. Maybe I’m just getting older, but I really feel that CHRISTIAN STANDARD has a vibrancy about it. The “In Opinions, Liberty” segment has more than once renewed my hope in the church and helped to dispel some of my own cynicism. I look forward to reading Paul Williams weekly article and have often copied and shared a quote from “Seen and Heard.” I appreciated your focus on the Bible last year, and can’t say enough how much I appreciated Matt Proctor’s “how-to-read . . .” articles. After reading CHRISTIAN STANDARD, I often think, “I should let them know what a great job they’re doing.” Well, I’ve finally gotten around to it. Your publication has been educational and encouraging in my Christian walk. Thanks so much. Keep up the good work!
—Tina Campbell
Indianapolis, IN
Seemingly there is a need to revise the following sentence under the heading of “The Seed” the Christ who sums up in himself the covenant people and in whom the Israel of God are blessed with all spiritual blessings,” explains Alexander Ross
Did the writer intend to write “the Israel of God?”
Thank you.
I read about every page in the christian standard. Weekly. Last week’s issue ( DOES IT MATTER IF THIS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE STUDENT IS ONE OF ‘US’?) covered a topic that is discussed from both sides fairly often. I learned a lot from the Percentage chart. One of ‘US’ is a topic always on the table. Would it be possible to hear the voices of some of ‘THEM’? I wonder if ‘they’ are absorbing much or little of our heritage. Or if ‘they’ appreciate the whole gospel message, or if ‘they’ take the whole Bible seriously. If I have missed the ‘they’ discussion, I stand corrected.
In regards to Paul S. Williams excellent April `1st article “Does Anybody Really Care/” Yes, I care!, however “Christian Standard” needs to update its approach to addressing the GenX group such as the two part GenX Rising article points out. “Christian Standard” is not currently relevant to my 34 year old son with three boys under 7 and a baby on the way, not relevant to my 31 year old newly married son who provides sound reinforcement for his local church or my 29 year old daughter with two children under three. They were raised in the church, but find our worship style wars, lecture style preaching to be old fashioned and not relevant to them. They are, and in is some cases I am, tech driven. I would much prefer to receive “Christian Standard” as an app on my iPhone or IPa, to be read in short bites as time allows. My children would like to see a relevant tweet with a link to the article that they can read on the go and then post comments, additions and reviews on Facebook, Twitter and provide U-Tube® videos for their small group and friends. As to ink on paper, well let just say the Post Boomer generations will be more interested in relevant articles on line, linked to videos, Facebook and their small groups, than picking up a copy at the front of the church. I believe that posting on your Facebook page, developing a GenX preachers following on twitter, tweeting the current posts from the “Stake” columns and the new monthly columns will continue to bring in more readership, but that readership will be online via blogs, twitter and Facebook, not “ink on Paper”, Readers, like me will continue to use the Ink on Paper paradigm until you move to the online version, then at least I will move too! A online subscription for $5.00 or $10.00 per year is possible if relevant content is provides such as video clips of messages, the ability to respond directly to the author of articles, and post to twitter and Facebook feeds. Take for example, the April 1st article “Why should Christians Care about Bioethics?” now this article would is very relevant to both my oldest son and my daughter (a chemist), yet as I loaded the “Christian Standard” web site this morning, no link was provided to this article or if there is, not easily found. This article is very relevant content to my children and they would read it if I could send them a link to the article, you blogged it, tweeted it and placed relevant content announcements on web links they use. This type of article, life relating issues is very cutting edge and what the next generations want and need, not just continued articles about worship style, women’s roles etc., which they have already moved beyond. They are interested in moral issues, like Same Sex attraction, Bioethics, etc. Provide these type articles, heavily based on scripture, with online links and they will come.
Just read my online version of the Christian Standard dated April 4, 2012. After doing so I felt it necessary to let you know this coming Sunday is Easter. That is a pretty important day for Christians. Might have been nice to see an issue highlighting such. I think I know why you are concerned about your readership dropping. HE is RISEN!!!
Brethren:
I was a bit upset reading that Christian Standard will resort to a monthly publication beginning in September. I know, the bottom line is finances. Personnally, I have collected, read, and saved most of the copies since 1957. The index has helped me often to refer to what others said on certain subjects. It has been a wealth of material for me. I will miss it immensely.
In Christ, Bernie Zylstra
Dear Brother Taylor,
I have known Tim Harlow since he was a “kid.” I have been associated with Christian Standard through 57 lyears of ministry, and have known seveeral of the editors personally (especially Sam Stone).
I am appalled that Tim wrote, and that the Christian Standard published, “In Matters of Opinion….BEER?” It may be a matter of opinion concerning drinking a beer once in a while, BUT to basically ENDORSE it in a Chrstian magazine is very disappointing! I will NOT keep beer in my refrigerator for when my brother-in-law comes to visit!
Sincerely disgusted,
Charles M. Embree, Marshfield, MO
Regarding the article, “In matters of opinion… Beer? by Tim Harlow
Once again I am reminded how dangerous topical writing and preaching has become among Christians today. Take a few Scriptures put them in a blender and their is no telling what it will taste like in the end. I found this article disturbing and misleading to say the least. I knew this article was headed downhill as soon as the author suggested the world would be a better place if God had created it differently? Is it really God’s fault? The idea of encouraging believers to drink beer so they can be like Jesus is outrageous. If that’s your opinion fine, but don’t try to convince the rest of Christendom your opinion is right. I am disappointed, but not surprised that Christian Standard would publish this kind of article. I can only hope that I pulled this issue from our church lobby before any of our members had a chance to read it. Thank God his mercy endures forever we definitely need it!
I just finished reading the article by Rev Harlow in Illinois and was quite surprised that a man of God finally admitted and preached that social drinking was OK. I had never thought about Jesus eating and drinking. My grand sons have a Sunday School teacher that is a strict non drinker and preaches it to his class. They would certainly enjoy attending your congregation. We used to attend the church of Christ in Paxton , Ill. Maybe we can visit your church sometime when we are out there. Your class meetings must be a hoot
Harold Newell
Ligonier, Pa. 15658
I ‘feel’ like I need to respond to my friend and Brother Paul S. William’s latest And So It Goes article “So Much Safer to Think than Feel”. Paul, I ‘feel’ for you being brought up in a Scots-Irish home. Mine, Italian on both sides. And so it goes that accordingly, it was ‘feelings’ that motivated a lot of my childhood discussions and thoughts. Logical? I’m not sure logic was ever given a thought.
Just think of the arts and music and you see a line of Italians who so wonderfully have given us beauty to see and awe inspiring music to hear down through the ages. Beauty that touches our soul and moves us to – dare I say it? Yes, I dare – ‘Feelings’. Granted there were a few ‘other’ people from ‘other’ nationalities that dabbled with the arts. Where was I, oh yes the arts and feelings. Think of how boring it would be if the arts were just left to logic. Yea, right brained people! Thank you Bob Ross for all your “happy little landscapes”.
Just think of two New York Italians discussing the latest in politics or religion and you have my earliest recollections of my extended family Christmas and Easter dinner discussions, hands flailing all over the place. I believed my Brother called this type of movement “broad gestures”. Nope, ‘hands flailing’ is a much better explanation. Standing up simultaneously with a crescendo in your voice to make your proposition and pointing menacingly with your index finger at the person you are having a discussion with. Go ahead, just try asking an Italian to talk while sitting on his hands.
Brother Paul, we found ourselves at opposite ends of this continuum, the older I get the more I understand the need to think more, and even if that means before I speak. However, I still like to ‘feel’ the points I want to make – What can I say, I’m Italian, I’m full of passion!
And So It Goes. Now, can I take my tongue out of my cheek
John Sarno
Have we lost our roots?? Since when is the “preacher” …”The Pastor” . What every happen to
“Where the Bible speaks We speak” The pastors (more than one) are Elders, you know that!! Why because it’s Bible. In the Bible the Preacher is called the Evangelist…remember Paul told Preacher Timothy “to do the work of an Evangelist” II Timothy 4:5. Paul did NOT say do the work of a “Pastor. Our roots are in the word of God not in men’s thinking.
Who benefits from shifting standards? No-one! Who profits from slipping morality? No-one! Who is improved by substituting darkness for light? No-one! When morals are no longer universally embraced, then America will no longer be a moral nation. It will become a amoral nation where there is no longer any recognized standard for morality or decency. There is looming in America something far worse than a fiscal cliff and that is the moral cliff we are fast approaching. Same sex marriages being promoted for the purpose of tax advantages despite abandoning recognized marital standards of sexual normalcy. Homosexual lifestyles being promoted as legitimate alternative lifestyles. Legitimate for who?
When abhorrent behavior is being promoted as acceptable behavior, then man has become a law unto himself with no regard for divinely set standards. Is this the direction we in America really wish to embrace and promote? What logically follows? The legalization of unborn babies? The legalization of taking older adults lives for the sake of expediency? The legalization of amending the definition of what constitutes a family?
These changes will not strengthen our nation. These changes will crush our nation under the false premise of enlightenment, when in reality, it is age-old darkness that still wants to triumph. Take care America, the edge to the moral cliff is fast approaching with catastrophic results following. Stand up, speak up, stop it now before it can’t be stopped and we speak about when the opportunity called us to action and we were silent!