Reconciliation

The Christians Only Challenge

By Darrel Rowland Most of us love this old Restoration Movement slogan: “We are not the only Christians, but Christians only.” But Christian leaders from across the country contacted by CHRISTIAN STANDARD all wrestle with big-picture questions about what overarching principles flow from the adage. Most generally agree with Bob Russell, retired senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, about what to do when invited to attend or speak at an event outside the immediate fellowship. “I will go anywhere as long as I”m not restricted in what I can say or my presence doesn”t leave the impression

January 18, 2014

We”re Not the Only Christians

By Tim Harlow I”m sure you”ve heard the joke in a sermon somewhere. It”s versatile””you can target any denomination. Peter is showing someone around Heaven. As he walks down the hallway, he says, “Here is the Lutheran room, here is the Methodist room, here is the Presbyterian room,” and then he starts whispering. “Shhh, we have to be quiet walking by this one. It”s the (fill in the blank) room, and they think they are the only ones here.” I grew up in the independent Christian churches, where it was my experience “independents” were the fill in the blank. I

August 24, 2012

Something Stronger than Hate

By Daniel Schantz “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34, New King James Version). In William Wyler”s 1959 award-winning movie Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston plays the wealthy prince of Jerusalem who is arrested by the Roman occupiers and thrown into the dark belly of a Roman ship, where he must row his enemies wherever they wish to go. With every pull of the oar, Ben-Hur”s hate of the Romans deepens, especially for Messala, the tribune who made him a galley slave. At last, Ben-Hur escapes his nautical prison, and by a quirk of fate he

January 2, 2012

The First Step Toward Unity

By Mark A. Taylor Christian unity, like so many other grand doctrines of the Bible, is something none of us would repudiate. Just as all of us are for love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control””just as all of us would lift up the ideas of mercy, grace, or forgiveness””all of us, if asked, would agree we”re for unity. But deciding to discuss unity is something else. When I talk about unity, my notions of it are challenged. I must sit across the table from a fellow believer who disagrees with me and yet acknowledge that I want unity with him.

October 3, 2010

Reconciled

By Bruce Koblish I”m a child of the “60s, and my generation is no stranger to racial tension in our country. So I guess I should not have been surprised that when I became the president of the Gospel Music Association, I faced these same issues within the world of Christian music. The second day on the job I found myself in a room with 30 African-American members of the gospel music community, from artists to managers to attorneys. I may have been ill prepared to deal with such a setting, but I listened intently and resolved early in my

October 2, 2010

Interview with Byron Davis

By Brad Dupray Dream of Destiny is casting a vision for Christian churches and churches of Christ across America to increase their evangelistic outreach through ethnic diversity in ministry. Dudley Rutherford, senior pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, California, challenged Byron Davis to spearhead the venture as a member of the staff at Shepherd. Byron left a career in pharmaceutical sales to join the church staff. He was a member of the U.S. National Swim Team from 1994 to 1996, was an eight-time All-American swimmer at UCLA, and was a U.S. Olympic team alternate in the

May 20, 2009

Culture & Public Square Reconciliation Restoration Movement History

More Than Talk About Unity

Mark A. Taylor reflects on the difficulty and necessity of practicing unity within the Restoration Movement, pointing to conversations that may help divided streams rediscover common ground.

March 22, 2009

Douglas A. Foster

The Point of Christianity

Douglas Foster argues that reconciliation is the point of Christianity, shaping how believers understand Scripture, human divisions, and the ongoing evil of slavery.

September 30, 2007

Joe L. Cope

peacemaking and conflict resolution books

Books for Christian Peacemakers

Joe L. Cope shares practical resources for peacemakers seeking reconciliation: three influential books on self-deception, personal choice, and forgiveness, plus two believer-friendly manuals that offer clear, usable methods for mediation and conflict resolution.

September 30, 2007

Name Wittheld

Four Seconds One Saturday

A long-awaited letter from church elders opens the way toward forgiveness, humility, and restored relationships, showing how the ministry of reconciliation can remake years of pain.

September 17, 2006

Victor Knowles

NACC Viewpoint 1: We Were There

Together in Grace marked a memorable moment at the 2006 NACC in Louisville, where churches of Christ and Christian churches/churches of Christ shared worship, preaching, and a symbolic Bible exchange in a renewed call to reconciliation.

September 13, 2006

First Step, Big Step?

Using a child’s first steps as a picture of progress, Mark A. Taylor reflects on “first steps toward unity” at the NACC and urges continued fellowship, shared service, and evangelistic purpose.

July 2, 2006

C. Robert Wetzel

Reconciliation and the Restoration Vision

A visit to Coventry after World War II illustrates the costly work of forgiveness. Drawing from Romans, C. Robert Wetzel connects God’s reconciliation in Christ to church unity and the daily practice of Christian virtue.

June 28, 2006

Can We Allow What We Do Not Advocate?

Mark A. Taylor reflects on fellowship amid disagreement—first in families, then in churches. He calls for humility and grace that covers belief and practice, urging Christians to pursue reconciliation without compromise.

June 21, 2006

Reconciliation Culture & Public Square

Christian churches and churches of Christ unity

What Should We Do With Our Story?

Reflecting on how written memories can be “put away,” Mark A. Taylor calls Christian churches and churches of Christ to move beyond old divisions and embrace biblical unity through shared mission, fellowship, and forgiveness.

August 7, 2005

Mike Cope