What Will Keep Us Together?

By John Derry

Christian churches have long resisted being identified or referred to as a denomination, preferring instead to be called a brotherhood or fellowship. In many cases we emphasize our local autonomy by adding the word independent when describing who we are. Our perspective is such that we object to any form of bureaucracy or hierarchical structure that would impose limitations on how we choose to function. The Bible is all we need to inform our doctrinal positions, church governance, and mission.

Denominational churches may find security in having a regional or national office establish operational policies and assist with legal matters or supply ministers when necessary. Such structure probably provides a level of continuity and coordination that contributes to efficiency. However, there is much to be said for the freedom to allocate resources and make decisions without first getting approval from an organization located hundreds of miles away.

Some might expect that our fellowship of churches linked by voluntary association might have difficulty in achieving much. Yet somehow, we”ve managed to collaborate and accomplish remarkable works around the world.

What exactly has kept us together? And what will keep us together as we look to the future?

Sources of Connection

Christian churches trace their roots to a common heritage, and that creates a bond similar to a genealogy or family tree. But, in the typical Christian church today, very little is known about the history of the Restoration Movement. A few leaders within the congregation may be acquainted with figures like the Campbells, Stone, and Scott, but I suspect the average church member is unfamiliar with those names. They may not even be acquainted with the issues that gave birth to this movement.

Two sources that give some identity to our churches are the Directory of the Ministry and the Christian Church Today Web site (www.christianchurchtoday.com); both include general information about affiliated churches and organizations. Many of us regularly consult these resources for information. Participation is voluntary, and it is a self-screening process by which each church determines whether it wishes to be listed.

Undoubtedly, the North American Christian Convention (NACC) and the National Missionary Convention are long-standing gatherings that have both performed invaluable service as places for our churches, missions, and parachurch organizations to come together for fellowship, worship, and instruction. The NACC has even adopted the slogan of “The Connecting Place.” It”s certainly not necessary to attend these events; but observe how easily a family begins to drift apart after certain members have passed away and the family reunions occur less frequently, and then not at all.

And we can”t forget the important role Standard Publishing has played in providing a common thread for our churches. The company has provided a platform for our members to share ideas, raise issues, and keep one another informed. A number of others send publications to Christian churches, but none has done so as widely or for as long as Standard Publishing. And Standard Publishing is continuing to explore new ways to reach out to our churches.

An Overlooked Connector

Recently Christian Standard conducted a survey to solicit input on how our churches relate to others within our brotherhood (an article with some of the survey results begins on p. 16). One question pertained to preferences in methods of staying connected with Christian churches/churches of Christ. Several options were listed ranging from conventions to personal phone calls.

However, having served in Christian higher education throughout my entire career, I noticed staying connected via Christian church colleges and universities was not one of the options listed. Clearly a combination of factors have kept us together in the past, with each fulfilling a unique role””state and national conventions, directories, publications, church camps, area fellowship meetings””but where does Christian higher education fit into the mix?

Our schools have served us very well in a variety of ways. We may underestimate the significant role they have played, and continue to play, in keeping us together.

Just a little over one year ago, Puget Sound Christian College made a very difficult decision to cease operation. I asked Dr. Mark Krause, who had served as the academic dean and is now senior minister with Westwood Hills Christian Church in Los Angeles, his sense of the impact of that move.

He mentioned the need of churches, particularly smaller congregations, to find staff members and how they are beginning to look to area schools that are outside the Christian church. There are likely some very fine Christian leaders graduating from those colleges, but they will not have quite the same perspective as people who have studied under professors whose roots are in the Restoration Movement.

Events that used to be held on Christian college campuses, and which attracted youth and others from area churches, are no longer taking place. There is definitely a void that will remain, and it”s possible the full impact may not be realized for several years.

Meeting Needs

Without exception, every school of Christian higher education in our brotherhood was established to meet the needs of the church. Lincoln (Illinois) Christian College and Seminary was founded on Earl Hargrove”s proclamation, “The preachers are coming.” Vernon Newland, who established five of our colleges, including Dallas (Texas) Christian College and St. Louis (Missouri) Christian College, regarded the schools as “centers of evangelism” with a vision that where there were Christian colleges, churches would soon rise up. All of our schools have similar accounts of their founding.

Sometimes our schools are criticized for not having enough ministry majors. But 30 or 40 percent of the student population majoring in ministry is certainly better than zero.

As times have changed, our colleges have adjusted and responded to the needs of our churches by offering a broader curriculum, but they have not abandoned their original missions of serving the local church. Christian colleges do more than just provide a place for students to acquire a degree; they offer countless conferences, professional development seminars, consulting services, special speakers, and discipleship opportunities for church members. Each time a Christian college brings people to its campus, they experience a greatly needed camaraderie and environment of encouragement.

Connecting Leaders

Even in areas where there is no regional Christian church college, you quickly find connections among church leaders with one or more of our schools. The identity and common bond experienced among these individuals goes beyond alumni loyalty to a particular school because they share a commitment to New Testament Christianity.

The presidents of our colleges and universities meet two or three times a year for fellowship and to discuss issues related to Christian higher education and the Christian church. Attendance is voluntary and no “official” action is taken on any policy. Sometimes we informally work together on certain projects.

We share the belief that one of the cohesive forces in the Christian church is our colleges. One can”t call it a “system” because there has been no systematic approach to where the schools are located or what programs are offered. Yet, as mentioned above, we can observe some remarkable accomplishments by our schools in providing educational opportunities to students from around the world and in producing very successful graduates.

While the list of megachurches is not the only indication of the impact of our schools, in looking at the 113 Christian churches with an attendance of 1,000 or more (see Christian Standard“s April 13 issue), nearly every senior minister is a graduate of one of our schools. One would likely find the same trend among small and medium-sized churches.

The role our colleges play in keeping us together is vital and may be one of the most subtle yet powerful sources of creating a sense of brotherhood, even when we are not fully aware of it.

Dr. John Derry is in his fifth year as president of Hope International University, Fullerton, California.