By Victor Knowles
Since 1984 thousands of people from across the United States have attended the unity meetings known as the Restoration Forum. These annual gatherings, attended primarily by interested members of Christian churches and churches of Christ, have focused on Jesus” prayer for unity in John 17, “That they all may be one . . . that the world may believe.” On September 6 the curtain will fall on this unique gathering, the longest-running, and arguably the most successful, unity endeavor in the history of the Restoration Movement.
At 9:30 a.m. April 16, 1982, a “Code Blue” was issued at St. John”s Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. Don DeWelt was experiencing his second heart attack of the day. Don”s wife, Elsie, was ushered into the chapel to prepare her for Don”s death. But in the providence of God, Don”s life was spared. After being revived, his first thought was: “Why am I still here?” When he returned home a few days later, the answer was on his desk. Because of his heart attack, he had not been able to read his Bible on April 16. It was opened to John 17. Don later testified, “Had I kept that daily tryst, the Scripture I would have studied was John 17:21-24. The impact of that text had never before hit me with the force I now believe the Lord intended. I knew this is why I was alive. I must do something about unity””something to help answer our Lord”s prayer.”
Others were thinking about unity too. The first Restoration Summit, as it was called then, was held on the campus of Ozark Bible College in Joplin, August 7-9, 1984. One hundred and eight men from both fellowships, braving criticism from their peers, met for three days of fellowship, study, and prayer. Then-President Ken Idleman said, “The closing prayer time on our knees was the closest I have ever been to the spirit of Pentecost.”
Since 1984 a total of 24 forums have been held (two in 1985). Thirteen Christian colleges and 11 local congregations (including one in Canada) have hosted the forum. Hundreds of addresses have been given by scores of speakers. A historic “Unity Covenant” was signed by hundreds of attendees at Restoration Forum XXII in Lubbock, Texas. Historian Leroy Garrett, commenting on the Communion service with nearly 1,000 participants at Lubbock, said, “I have been waiting a half-century for such an occasion.”
Forum participant Calvin Warpula notes, “The forums have helped us trust each other and communicate with each other. They have brought us out of isolation and into the open market. We have come to realize that unity can exist in arguments on essentials while allowing diversity in other matters.”
If the Restoration Forum has accomplished so much good, why is it ending? The ad hoc coordinators of the meeting believe the time is right. The 2006 North American Christian Convention, where about 10,000 people intentionally came together again after 100 years of division between the two fellowships, sent a strong signal that we are moving from conversation to cooperation. We have talked to each other for a quarter of a century. You can talk something to death. Now it is time to work together. We already are! I list 101 things we are now doing together in a paper presented at Pepperdine University in 2006, “Restoring Family Ties.”
An outstanding roster of speakers has been secured for Restoration Forum XXV, September 4-6, at Ozark Christian College. From churches of Christ: Rick Atchley, Doug Foster, Royce Money, Marvin Phillips, Dennis Randall, Jerry Rushford, Rubel Shelly, and Jeff Walling. From Christian churches: Chris DeWelt, Ken Idleman, Victor Knowles, Mark Moore, Boyce Mouton, and Sam Stone. Together we will develop the theme: “In All Things, Love.” The forum will close with the reading of a “Last Will and Testament.” Registration is $25 per individual or $35 per married couple. Register online at www.OCC.edu/restorationforum or call Jason Robinson, OCC events director, at (417) 624-2518 ext. 2104.
Victor Knowles is founder and president of POEM (Peace on Earth Ministries), Joplin, Missouri. He has edited One Body since 1984 and is a coordinator of the Restoration Forum.
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