I suggested in another blogsite that we have retrogressed to the narcissistic level of the society in which we live (Church of God, Anderson). Especially is this true when it comes to our cooperative mission programs, state and national.
Think about it! Some church members, like citizens, remain their very own bosses, their own persons. There is a place for individualism but these people have very libertarian views that make them overly independent--Tea Party--and, in effect, rather lawless in attitude--anarchical.
They believe in minimal political government. They perceive rules and regulations as governmental infringement upon their civil liberties. They never comprehend that even a ballgame needs some rules of engagement. Their conviction affects every area of their social intercourse; ultimately, leaving “them” free to do as “they” wish, without regard for how their behavior may affect me.
Consider that little device called a fuzz buster. My son has one, as do some of you. It allows him to over-drive, speed, and avoid detection--outsmart the traffic cop. I don’t want one because I have determined that laws are made to be obeyed not disregarded.
However, Americans are very protective of their driving. They tolerate as little interference as possible. Many drive too fast, being cavalier about speed limits--kinda yes, but ... They hurry hither and yon believing they are the best judges of how fast they should drive; never mind the posted signs most often resented or ignored.
I see this throughout our culture and view it as symptomatic of what the Bible calls “lawlessness.” The one that most deeply offends me is the individual that drives down a quiet neighborhood street with a “bongo beat” of some kind or other sending forth deep bass vibrations from somewhere under the deep recesses of the back seat of their vehicle causing bric-a-brac on the shelves inside the houses to dance an Irish Jig.
Drivers seem deleriously innocent of this public assault on people’s eardrums, but it hurts my head, rouses my hostilities, and transforms me into a marathon runner with the St. Vitus Dance. Never mind that the driver is driving 40 mph in a 25 mile residential zone, or that a public ordinance prohibits loud sounds emenating more than 25 feet!
Frankly, that is not a picture of the church that I see as Christ-pleasing. I know the church is composed of people, but this cultural hangover lingers in the church. What was it Ken Myers of Mars Hill Communications said? “The church does the world no favor by imitating it.”
Christianity is both communal and corporate, rather than individualistic. I shattered my heel in 1985. In 2010, that shattered heel has produced scoliosis of the lower back that makes me some 3 inches shorter than formerly. It produces a “tilt” in my posture that affects the way I walk. It produces pain; sometimes I limp. In effect, it affects my whole body and the interrelationships of all my organs. Need I go on … ?
There are numerous rationales for this cultural virus of autonomy that infects the church. Yet, the end result is an unhealthy (carnal) church body (from top to bottom), a muted mission, and a less than effective ministry. Having been part of this Church of God family for over 80 years, I am not pitching for any “old time way” or demanding a takeover by the young. I am advocating that pastors begin modeling the role of engagement rather than disengagement (autonomy, independence) in the unified mission and stop being the worst offenders when it comes to our national church.
I value entrepreneurialism at most levels but we must support each other better than we currently do--like the organs of my body supporting my now malformed ankle. As long as I live in this body, my organs are both interrelated and interdependent. When they are not, I have a health problem and that can prematurely terminate my sojourn here.
The whole focus of D. S. Warner and company was in trying to help other people escape such unholy disunity.
From Warner's World,
I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Autonomy in the Church of God
I was startled recently when an online friend expressed his disbelief in autonomy in the Church of God ministry. I recently spent some time re-reading A. L. Byers’ BIRTH OF A REFORMATION, wanting to get a better feel of notions D.S. Warner might have had on the subject.
Although still processing, here are a few early comments regarding our church polity. On page 15 Byers commented on his title--BIRTH OF A REFORMATION--suggesting, “to use an appellation in keeping with the idea of universal Christian brotherhood.” That tells me Byers viewed Warner (D.S.) as having an inclusive perspective that would be in conflict with a self-centered myopia.
Down the page, Byers further noted the church as having “no creed but the Scriptures and “no government but that administered by the Holy Spirit”. I find those two concepts incongruous, ie, conflicting and at opposite poles.
On page 21 Byers affirms Warner’s views in four areas regarding the church:
1) divine spiritual life;
2) obey all Scripture;
3) open attitude toward further truth;
4) “placing no barrier that would exclude anyone who might be a Christian.”
I note his heavy emphasis upon scriptural authority, with an inclusive view toward others that tends to exclude a dictatorial, self-centered insistence.
On page 24 Byers points again to Holy Spirit control in the organization and government of the church. I view this as assuming a plurality of views and not just one person’s views (group consensus vs. one leader). He also added “no test of fellowship other than true Christianity possessed in the heart.” This suggests we use no test of fellowship beyond each other’s personal confession of personal experience-or-relationship with Christ.
On page 51 Byers reveals Warner persuaded by Winebrenner on several familiar points, and adds “washing of feet” in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper. I believe Warner’s ministry from the beginning offered “an attitude” of inclusiveness that precluded the narcissistic “Do as I please” attitude that prevails in our culture today.
On pages 53-54 Byers quotes from C. H. Forney (History of the Churches of God) as helping shape Warner’s ecclesiology (teachings regarding the church). Speaking of Winebrenner, Dr. Forney writes, “he adopted the apostolic plan, as taught in the New Testament, and established spiritual, free, and independent churches, consisting of believers or Christians only, without any human name or creed or ordinances or laws’ … Fellowship between these ‘free and independent’ units there would be, but no higher organization as then recognized by Winebrenner which could limit the powers of the local church ... In his broad platform he saw a basis of the union of all Christians and churches. And so the imperative duty of cultivating union between all believers was strongly urged.”
Unquestionably, we have a historical tradition of congregations that recognize no presiding Bishop, Conference, or Synod over them; we are each self-governed. No one writes our creed for us, or dictates how much we send the conference. Our polity is grass-roots government, local control.
Having said that, one of our strongest tenets is our dependence upon the Bible. It is our manual, our counsel, our book of rules, an inspired book. That alone locks us into a "relational" theology, if covenant is too strong a word for some. We’ve all heard the church preached as the BODY of Christ, under the mind of Christ, which gives scriptural substance to our mutual relationship under the Head, who is Christ.
Our autonomy is not to be understood in the thinking of the day, for if we follow our long-term teachings, we are a "body" (Bill Gaither calls us the family of God). The Church of God, Anderson has retrogressed to the level of the narcissistic society in which it exists. We are all become our own bosses--anarchists. As such, we are a very lawless people (local versus "Anderson"). To use a common driving illustration: we prefer to use our fuzzbusters to outfox the speed cops.
That identifies our national problem today in the Church of God. We know no authority but our own, but whatever happened to the mind of Christ. Perhaps this will draw some comment; I hope so. Perhaps I will need to further elaborate. There is much more to be said, but if we can but recognize our relational status, there will not be a lot more need of overly heated discussion.
From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Although still processing, here are a few early comments regarding our church polity. On page 15 Byers commented on his title--BIRTH OF A REFORMATION--suggesting, “to use an appellation in keeping with the idea of universal Christian brotherhood.” That tells me Byers viewed Warner (D.S.) as having an inclusive perspective that would be in conflict with a self-centered myopia.
Down the page, Byers further noted the church as having “no creed but the Scriptures and “no government but that administered by the Holy Spirit”. I find those two concepts incongruous, ie, conflicting and at opposite poles.
On page 21 Byers affirms Warner’s views in four areas regarding the church:
1) divine spiritual life;
2) obey all Scripture;
3) open attitude toward further truth;
4) “placing no barrier that would exclude anyone who might be a Christian.”
I note his heavy emphasis upon scriptural authority, with an inclusive view toward others that tends to exclude a dictatorial, self-centered insistence.
On page 24 Byers points again to Holy Spirit control in the organization and government of the church. I view this as assuming a plurality of views and not just one person’s views (group consensus vs. one leader). He also added “no test of fellowship other than true Christianity possessed in the heart.” This suggests we use no test of fellowship beyond each other’s personal confession of personal experience-or-relationship with Christ.
On page 51 Byers reveals Warner persuaded by Winebrenner on several familiar points, and adds “washing of feet” in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper. I believe Warner’s ministry from the beginning offered “an attitude” of inclusiveness that precluded the narcissistic “Do as I please” attitude that prevails in our culture today.
On pages 53-54 Byers quotes from C. H. Forney (History of the Churches of God) as helping shape Warner’s ecclesiology (teachings regarding the church). Speaking of Winebrenner, Dr. Forney writes, “he adopted the apostolic plan, as taught in the New Testament, and established spiritual, free, and independent churches, consisting of believers or Christians only, without any human name or creed or ordinances or laws’ … Fellowship between these ‘free and independent’ units there would be, but no higher organization as then recognized by Winebrenner which could limit the powers of the local church ... In his broad platform he saw a basis of the union of all Christians and churches. And so the imperative duty of cultivating union between all believers was strongly urged.”
Unquestionably, we have a historical tradition of congregations that recognize no presiding Bishop, Conference, or Synod over them; we are each self-governed. No one writes our creed for us, or dictates how much we send the conference. Our polity is grass-roots government, local control.
Having said that, one of our strongest tenets is our dependence upon the Bible. It is our manual, our counsel, our book of rules, an inspired book. That alone locks us into a "relational" theology, if covenant is too strong a word for some. We’ve all heard the church preached as the BODY of Christ, under the mind of Christ, which gives scriptural substance to our mutual relationship under the Head, who is Christ.
Our autonomy is not to be understood in the thinking of the day, for if we follow our long-term teachings, we are a "body" (Bill Gaither calls us the family of God). The Church of God, Anderson has retrogressed to the level of the narcissistic society in which it exists. We are all become our own bosses--anarchists. As such, we are a very lawless people (local versus "Anderson"). To use a common driving illustration: we prefer to use our fuzzbusters to outfox the speed cops.
That identifies our national problem today in the Church of God. We know no authority but our own, but whatever happened to the mind of Christ. Perhaps this will draw some comment; I hope so. Perhaps I will need to further elaborate. There is much more to be said, but if we can but recognize our relational status, there will not be a lot more need of overly heated discussion.
From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Family of God
"Wayne, just read your report on the camp-meeting on Warner's World. Camp-meeting days are great times” (emphasis added). Howard makes a point that is being discussed around the Church of God. Not only does he make the point, but he offers personal insight into camp meeting in his family.
I have never been a big camper, as such, but my family supported Camp Meeting throughout my forty-five years of pastoral work. We we found it invaluable. Without it, we (family and church) would have needed something else to fill the vacuum. My home state of Michigan has been a strong supporter of our church camps, judging by the following statistics, which I know to be reasonably accurate:
Bangor, MI 1st CM 1883, launched a national assembly that eventually relocated to Anderson, IN.
Grand Junction, MI began 1892, just concluded the 118th gathering.
St. Louis, MI began 1893, still operating.
Charlevoix, MI began 1906, still operating.
Burlington, MI began 1915 (predominantly black) no longer meeting.
So much for Michigan.
When I tell people my strong affinity with the Church of God has a strong element of family to it, I am not exaggerating. Across the years, my family has “felt” that strong sense of family that Bill Gaither only wrote about in more recent years, yet his message is true: “I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God . . .” We have exercised that privilege over the years and I could illustrate it with hundreds of people, Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, North American and internationals.
At our recent North American Convention, I relished a few moments of quiet intimacy with Dr. James Earl Massey, my Black brother. On another occasion, I met a new friend whom I hope to meet again; I know only his first name (Andrei)--a young staff member at our church in Chelyabinsk, Siberia (a Russian, no less).
One of the delights of our recent event at Warner Camp Meeting was our time with “Dot Jean” (her license plate says). Dorothy is a rich, full black color, but she is full family to this Aryan German, married to an Irish Cherokee. I was her pastor for years, but in our retirement she has ministered to me in particular during hospitalizations of my spouse (she will drive the miles to sit with me in such times). All those years I sat with parishioners have been amply rewarded as Dorothy sat through our times of confinement--even the “family” conferences with the doctor!! She was family!
That brings me to another part of family. Howard and I were two green freshman at Anderson College in June 1945; we became bunk mates at Patterson House! I was 5’ 9” in those days, Howard, 6’ 4”. We became lifelong friends, including Howard’s Mississippi family. No finer people ever walked on God’s earth than the L.V. Benson family of Jackson, MS.
At one stage of ministry, I followed Oral Withrow in Yazoo City, MS; Mrs. Oral Withrow is Laura Benson Withrow of guess where--Ole Miss. So when Howard gave me his little Face Book response to my blog, I read it with “family” interest. I’ve been to Camp Meeting at Dixon, MS as have my kids. I met many of the Benson clan during those years and loved them dearly.
Howard shared this additional bit with me from his home over in Springfield, Ohio where he serves as a Chaplain to Seniors:
“We just had our 100th Centennial Reunion of the Benson family on the Miss. Camprounds, July 3-4th. It was 100 years ago in the spring that my grand-parents moved to the farm, just one mile from what is now Camp Dixon. The farm is now owned by 2 of my children, and 2 cousins live in adjoining houses (they are Joe Benson's sons). The entire farm is still in the hands of Benson descendants. We had a great time, about 90 attending. Had a Benson worship service on Sunday A.M. in the tabernacle, singing the old heritage songs of the Reformation Movement, with our young ministers in the family leading. I was privileged to bring the message. It was a wonderful experience. Good to know you're carrying on, Wayne. Our best wishes to you and Tommie. Howard"
It isn’t every Church of God family that has a centennial history in the Church of God, but the Bensons’ have a great family, a great history, and they have contributed immensely to the work of the Church of God.
Howard left some gaps I’ll have to ask about, but when I tell people the church is my family, I hope you will understand I’m a meaningful part of a rather sizable family. :-)
From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
I have never been a big camper, as such, but my family supported Camp Meeting throughout my forty-five years of pastoral work. We we found it invaluable. Without it, we (family and church) would have needed something else to fill the vacuum. My home state of Michigan has been a strong supporter of our church camps, judging by the following statistics, which I know to be reasonably accurate:
Bangor, MI 1st CM 1883, launched a national assembly that eventually relocated to Anderson, IN.
Grand Junction, MI began 1892, just concluded the 118th gathering.
St. Louis, MI began 1893, still operating.
Charlevoix, MI began 1906, still operating.
Burlington, MI began 1915 (predominantly black) no longer meeting.
So much for Michigan.
When I tell people my strong affinity with the Church of God has a strong element of family to it, I am not exaggerating. Across the years, my family has “felt” that strong sense of family that Bill Gaither only wrote about in more recent years, yet his message is true: “I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God . . .” We have exercised that privilege over the years and I could illustrate it with hundreds of people, Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, North American and internationals.
At our recent North American Convention, I relished a few moments of quiet intimacy with Dr. James Earl Massey, my Black brother. On another occasion, I met a new friend whom I hope to meet again; I know only his first name (Andrei)--a young staff member at our church in Chelyabinsk, Siberia (a Russian, no less).
One of the delights of our recent event at Warner Camp Meeting was our time with “Dot Jean” (her license plate says). Dorothy is a rich, full black color, but she is full family to this Aryan German, married to an Irish Cherokee. I was her pastor for years, but in our retirement she has ministered to me in particular during hospitalizations of my spouse (she will drive the miles to sit with me in such times). All those years I sat with parishioners have been amply rewarded as Dorothy sat through our times of confinement--even the “family” conferences with the doctor!! She was family!
That brings me to another part of family. Howard and I were two green freshman at Anderson College in June 1945; we became bunk mates at Patterson House! I was 5’ 9” in those days, Howard, 6’ 4”. We became lifelong friends, including Howard’s Mississippi family. No finer people ever walked on God’s earth than the L.V. Benson family of Jackson, MS.
At one stage of ministry, I followed Oral Withrow in Yazoo City, MS; Mrs. Oral Withrow is Laura Benson Withrow of guess where--Ole Miss. So when Howard gave me his little Face Book response to my blog, I read it with “family” interest. I’ve been to Camp Meeting at Dixon, MS as have my kids. I met many of the Benson clan during those years and loved them dearly.
Howard shared this additional bit with me from his home over in Springfield, Ohio where he serves as a Chaplain to Seniors:
“We just had our 100th Centennial Reunion of the Benson family on the Miss. Camprounds, July 3-4th. It was 100 years ago in the spring that my grand-parents moved to the farm, just one mile from what is now Camp Dixon. The farm is now owned by 2 of my children, and 2 cousins live in adjoining houses (they are Joe Benson's sons). The entire farm is still in the hands of Benson descendants. We had a great time, about 90 attending. Had a Benson worship service on Sunday A.M. in the tabernacle, singing the old heritage songs of the Reformation Movement, with our young ministers in the family leading. I was privileged to bring the message. It was a wonderful experience. Good to know you're carrying on, Wayne. Our best wishes to you and Tommie. Howard"
It isn’t every Church of God family that has a centennial history in the Church of God, but the Bensons’ have a great family, a great history, and they have contributed immensely to the work of the Church of God.
Howard left some gaps I’ll have to ask about, but when I tell people the church is my family, I hope you will understand I’m a meaningful part of a rather sizable family. :-)
From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 25, 2010
118th Warner Family Camp (camp meeting)
“Do you know, Brother Byrum, since enjoying this beautiful spot I have been thinking what a wonderful place this would be for a camp-meeting grounds.”
Noah Byrum describes that June morning in 1891 when he and his companion walked along the railroad tracks headed north toward Grand Rapids, MI. They were actually heading for Lester Lake, a mile and a quarter to the north, expecting to enjoy a day of fishing.
That hike took them through a sixty-acre tract of lumber stretching south from the lake. Making their way to the east side of the lake, they anticipated launching a boat and enjoy the day.
In the midst of the woods, Byrum’s companion, suggested they stop for a while and “enjoy this wonderful music that is being given by these feathered songsters.” Sitting on a log, young Noah Byrum and D. S. Warner watched the first faint lights of the coming day.
The February 25, 1892 Gospel Trumpet carried an editorial announcing the purchase of that sixty-acre tract of lumber. Work days would follow and on June 14 A. B. Palmer preached the opening service of the new Grand Junction Camp Meeting and Warner’s dream became a reality (Byrum/The Book of Noah/132).
Yesterday, I returned home from the 118th annual camp meeting at GJ. It is no longer a national meeting, but I did visit with my German friend from Edmonton, Alberta, CA, Kurt Pudel, and we enjoyed the international aspects of Warner Camp.
I started attending GJ more than 80 years ago. The 60 acres now include 192 acres and a year-round retreat and conference center under the gifted administration of R. A. (Doc) Stevens, my nephew by marriage.
In one of those earliest encampments, a man walked some 170 miles from Ohio to attend. Secular Historian Larry Massey reports as many as 10,000 attenders at some of those early events. There, I heard evangelists like W. O. Moon, W. T. Wallace, C. Lowry Quinn, H. M. Riggle.
I think it was 1932 when Hershel Rice preached the camp meeting on his honeymoon. A decade later, I had my first love affair there. I met her on the last day and did not see her again until the following year, only to learn she lived just 20 miles distant.
It was there, the three Story boys and I hitchhiked into South Haven (11 miles) and lugged a watermelon back to camp (their mother was a sister to F. G. Smith). It was there I made my initial commitment as a Christian--1939.
For me, Warner Camp holds many memories and life-shaping events, so it comes as no surprise I am still involved. I have served about every elected position available and a few non-elected jobs. Younger people now carry those jobs but we (my wife and I) still work in the Dining Hall as support staff to “Amazing Grace” Selent Ratzlaff.
Ray and Grace Selent pioneered as first resident camp directors. When we returned to MI in 1973, we recognized their calling and gifts and began supporting them and forged an unbreakable friendship.
Services this year averaged a bit under 500, mostly resident campers. The camp did not pay for itself financially, but it paid huge spiritual dividends in people‘s lives. Beyond the changed lives and other benefits, the church discovered a new and gifted evangelist--a relatively unknown pastor from the Midland area named Jeff Eckman. This young man has his head screwed on right!
It was a pleasant surprise to learn that my former parishioner, Dr. Scott Edwards, was helping coordinate youth activities this year. I shall never forget that Sunday when I warned the congregation, “One day you will address this kid as Dr. Scott Edwards!” He stood out at Three Rivers High School and at AU and today he has his own practice as a Clinical Psychologist, but he took a week out to do youth ministries at camp (what a benefit to those kids!).
Someone said Scott was the finest youth president our state ever had. I could enlarge on other youth like Matt Salas, Kelsey Arnett, Jeremy Erskine, and Corey Gothberg (Corey just returned from a New Zealand missions trip). They are Summer Core Staffers from North Avenue church where I attend, but I got to know them at Warner Camp. On the other end of the age spectrum were our Prime Seniors, Dr. Leslie Ratzlaff (95) and wife Grace (90+)
And if I were to tell you of our numerous visitations, friendships et al, there would be no end to this blog--a weekend with Craig/Susan Stace, home from Idaho--or hours of conversation with Rudy and Helmut Holz from the Ukraine via Detroit.
It was a full and blessed week, invigorating to say the least. This is Warner’s World and I am
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Saturday, July 24, 2010
So Long, Doug
Douglas Reed Oldham, nationally known gospel singer, died earlier this week. It came as a shock to those of us at Warner Memorial Camp Meeting. I had requested prayer for Doug upon arriving at camp (thanks to Dave Coolidge). For many of us, it was the passing of one more popular icon in the Christian Church, one that we loved.
Doug grew up in the home of a Church of God (Anderson) pastor-radio evangelist, the son of the greatly loved voice of the Christian Brotherhood Hour of Anderson, Indiana. When I arrived in Anderson in 1945, Doug was a newly transplanted Buckeye from Salem church in Dayton where his father had a very successful ministry that led to national prominence as pastor of the Park Place Church in Anderson.
It was widely rumored that Doug struggled with never being able to measure up to his father’s stature, and truthfully, some of his peers were not all that impressed with the mature fifteen-year-old “local kid” who covered the girl beat on campus at AC. I was eighteen at the time, enamored with his father, simply aware of the “youngster.”
In time, Doug found his niche in music. It took him a few years to find his way in his spiritual journey, but he became a minister of music and eventually won the heart of the church as part of the popular CBH Quartet, (Christian Brotherhood Hour). He became a fixture with Ron Patty and Ernie Gross, and a coterie of others completing the quartet at various stages.
Bill Gaither played a huge role in Doug’s life as well. Some of Bill’s songs (sometimes inspired by Dale Oldham) not only revealed places in Doug’s spiritual journey but they became part of his ministry to multitudes of people who loved to hear Doug sing and who followed him for the remainder of his days in a ministry to a denominationally-diverse audience. People listened to him sing “He Touched Me” and they knew God still transforms lives today.
I was a little intrigued at reading of his burial from Lynchburg, VA by the younger Falwell, but Doug sang for Jerry Falwell’s revival ministry for many years--a ministry greatly admired by Doug's dad. I also see some Church of Godders reacting ever so slightly, reminding us all that Doug was, after all, really Church of God.
Yes he was! Doug was not Baptist, and I doubt seriously that he gave serious allegiance to some of the Calvinistic tenets of Falwell, or even some of his politics. The truth is, Doug was a “Christian.” His allegiance was to Jesus Christ. Sometimes we Choggers find ourselves in an interesting position.
People love our inclusive message relative to the church; they do not always understand our lack of allegiance to church membership and other denominational peculiarities. We lay no claim to being THE church and we only recognize ONE church--the church of which a relationship with Jesus makes you a member. We don’t separate ourselves from Pentecostals, or Calvinists, or Wesleyans; we fellowship “every blood-washed one” be they Orthodox, Catholic, Reformed, or Wesleyan, or ...
So, as they lay Doug to rest in Lynchburg on Monday, may the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus, that he experienced and sang about for all these years, continue to play a medley in the hearts of Christians everywhere (I could mention a few of my favorites, but you have your own).
Doug’s ministry became a living tribute to the powerful gospel message that his father proclaimed internationally for many decades. To get a panoramic view of that church that Jesus is building, take a close look into the lives of the Gaither series of Family Reunions. Interestingly enough, you will discover Christians of very many denominational stripes--both Reformed and Wesleyan denominations--Catholic and Protestant--singing a common gospel in songs that touch the masses.
That was what Jesus did best of all. That was what Doug Oldham did at his best … we’ll miss you, Doug, but we thank you for your reminders to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ …
From Warner’s World, this is
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Doug grew up in the home of a Church of God (Anderson) pastor-radio evangelist, the son of the greatly loved voice of the Christian Brotherhood Hour of Anderson, Indiana. When I arrived in Anderson in 1945, Doug was a newly transplanted Buckeye from Salem church in Dayton where his father had a very successful ministry that led to national prominence as pastor of the Park Place Church in Anderson.
It was widely rumored that Doug struggled with never being able to measure up to his father’s stature, and truthfully, some of his peers were not all that impressed with the mature fifteen-year-old “local kid” who covered the girl beat on campus at AC. I was eighteen at the time, enamored with his father, simply aware of the “youngster.”
In time, Doug found his niche in music. It took him a few years to find his way in his spiritual journey, but he became a minister of music and eventually won the heart of the church as part of the popular CBH Quartet, (Christian Brotherhood Hour). He became a fixture with Ron Patty and Ernie Gross, and a coterie of others completing the quartet at various stages.
Bill Gaither played a huge role in Doug’s life as well. Some of Bill’s songs (sometimes inspired by Dale Oldham) not only revealed places in Doug’s spiritual journey but they became part of his ministry to multitudes of people who loved to hear Doug sing and who followed him for the remainder of his days in a ministry to a denominationally-diverse audience. People listened to him sing “He Touched Me” and they knew God still transforms lives today.
I was a little intrigued at reading of his burial from Lynchburg, VA by the younger Falwell, but Doug sang for Jerry Falwell’s revival ministry for many years--a ministry greatly admired by Doug's dad. I also see some Church of Godders reacting ever so slightly, reminding us all that Doug was, after all, really Church of God.
Yes he was! Doug was not Baptist, and I doubt seriously that he gave serious allegiance to some of the Calvinistic tenets of Falwell, or even some of his politics. The truth is, Doug was a “Christian.” His allegiance was to Jesus Christ. Sometimes we Choggers find ourselves in an interesting position.
People love our inclusive message relative to the church; they do not always understand our lack of allegiance to church membership and other denominational peculiarities. We lay no claim to being THE church and we only recognize ONE church--the church of which a relationship with Jesus makes you a member. We don’t separate ourselves from Pentecostals, or Calvinists, or Wesleyans; we fellowship “every blood-washed one” be they Orthodox, Catholic, Reformed, or Wesleyan, or ...
So, as they lay Doug to rest in Lynchburg on Monday, may the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus, that he experienced and sang about for all these years, continue to play a medley in the hearts of Christians everywhere (I could mention a few of my favorites, but you have your own).
Doug’s ministry became a living tribute to the powerful gospel message that his father proclaimed internationally for many decades. To get a panoramic view of that church that Jesus is building, take a close look into the lives of the Gaither series of Family Reunions. Interestingly enough, you will discover Christians of very many denominational stripes--both Reformed and Wesleyan denominations--Catholic and Protestant--singing a common gospel in songs that touch the masses.
That was what Jesus did best of all. That was what Doug Oldham did at his best … we’ll miss you, Doug, but we thank you for your reminders to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ …
From Warner’s World, this is
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Someone Worth Following
A verse from the Bible compared the relationship of Jesus and God as being like the sunrays to the sun (Hebrews 1:3). If true, this makes Jesus someone worth following.
On any given day of his life, Jesus could be found out and about early in the morning, seeking a place of solitude for personal prayer (Mark 1:35). By custom, he attended the synagogue on Sabbath days and evidence reveals Him going throughout his life doing His father’s business.
This began in his early life (Luke 2:49). Throughout his life, self-discipline remained important (Matthew 14:23). He lived close to God; consequently, he knew at all times who he was--one with his Father. By his own admission, he lived all of his life by the authority of his Father (John 10:29-30).
Seldom if ever did Jesus do anything on his own, doing only what he learned from his Father. He readily admitted, “Whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). Thus, he readily discerned the wholeness of life, reflecting insights that allowed him to patiently peel off those layered rings of self protection with which people excuse self-limited living (Matthew 22:2-10).
Jesus served truth without respect of persons. He maintained wholesome relationships that knew neither superiors nor inferiors, and he chose to be the servant of all (Luke 22:27). He scrutinized the inner self believing it is the inner man that determines one’s real self (Matthew 23:26).
People found Him “the one” to follow, because he always had such clear vision. Matthew’s Gospel portrays him as a superb teacher and leader that developed those characteristics that best draw other people out of themselves and closer to God. This quality in his life made it impossible for anyone to fail to learn from him.
He taught nothing that he did not model (Matthew 5:1-12). This resulted in many finding themselves drawn incredibly close to him. As others scrutinized his life, they discovered what they could become; he equipped them by always showing them how to better themselves (Mark 6:7-13). He lived with consistent behavior, remaining sensitive to the needs of others, ever optimistic in outlook. People found him patient, gentle, and authentic.
Scripture powered his personal growth (Matthew 22:21-46), providing his best line of defense in times of need, which he applied to all areas of his life. Although some people find life a cold and uncaring journey, Jesus offered to everyone he encountered the personal embodiment of God’s love, and the wholesome warmth God wants everyone to experience John 8:1-11).
Although daring to challenge others (Luke 14:1-6), the clarity and relevance of Jesus’ life remains unchallenged today in spite of the brevity and vulnerability of his life (Luke 22:41-44).In his most vulnerable moments, he still found time to assist a penitent thief in his most grievous time of need.
In Jesus, we find our greatest hope ever for human transformation. One of the early Church Fathers suggested “as the print of the seal on the wax is the express image of the seal itself, so Christ is the express image--the perfect representation of God.” Thus, Renan, the French philosopher-scholar concluded that history is incomprehensible without Jesus.
Today, I experience him as “The Someone” most worth following! From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
On any given day of his life, Jesus could be found out and about early in the morning, seeking a place of solitude for personal prayer (Mark 1:35). By custom, he attended the synagogue on Sabbath days and evidence reveals Him going throughout his life doing His father’s business.
This began in his early life (Luke 2:49). Throughout his life, self-discipline remained important (Matthew 14:23). He lived close to God; consequently, he knew at all times who he was--one with his Father. By his own admission, he lived all of his life by the authority of his Father (John 10:29-30).
Seldom if ever did Jesus do anything on his own, doing only what he learned from his Father. He readily admitted, “Whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). Thus, he readily discerned the wholeness of life, reflecting insights that allowed him to patiently peel off those layered rings of self protection with which people excuse self-limited living (Matthew 22:2-10).
Jesus served truth without respect of persons. He maintained wholesome relationships that knew neither superiors nor inferiors, and he chose to be the servant of all (Luke 22:27). He scrutinized the inner self believing it is the inner man that determines one’s real self (Matthew 23:26).
People found Him “the one” to follow, because he always had such clear vision. Matthew’s Gospel portrays him as a superb teacher and leader that developed those characteristics that best draw other people out of themselves and closer to God. This quality in his life made it impossible for anyone to fail to learn from him.
He taught nothing that he did not model (Matthew 5:1-12). This resulted in many finding themselves drawn incredibly close to him. As others scrutinized his life, they discovered what they could become; he equipped them by always showing them how to better themselves (Mark 6:7-13). He lived with consistent behavior, remaining sensitive to the needs of others, ever optimistic in outlook. People found him patient, gentle, and authentic.
Scripture powered his personal growth (Matthew 22:21-46), providing his best line of defense in times of need, which he applied to all areas of his life. Although some people find life a cold and uncaring journey, Jesus offered to everyone he encountered the personal embodiment of God’s love, and the wholesome warmth God wants everyone to experience John 8:1-11).
Although daring to challenge others (Luke 14:1-6), the clarity and relevance of Jesus’ life remains unchallenged today in spite of the brevity and vulnerability of his life (Luke 22:41-44).In his most vulnerable moments, he still found time to assist a penitent thief in his most grievous time of need.
In Jesus, we find our greatest hope ever for human transformation. One of the early Church Fathers suggested “as the print of the seal on the wax is the express image of the seal itself, so Christ is the express image--the perfect representation of God.” Thus, Renan, the French philosopher-scholar concluded that history is incomprehensible without Jesus.
Today, I experience him as “The Someone” most worth following! From Warner’s World, I am walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Friday, July 9, 2010
Memorializing D. S. Warner
Wife and I are preparing for the 118th annual Warner Memorial Camp Meeting, July 16-23. I sucked a baby bottle at the old camp grounds during the Depression. About 1951, I introduced my young bride to Grand Junction, a place that held sacred memories for me. By 1973, we returned to Michigan to pastor. Since that time, she and I have attended annually, serving and supporting Warner Memorial Camp in every way available to us. This year--once more--we will be support staff in the Dining Hall; that‘s what octogenerians like us need to be doing! :-)
Cousin Dick and I were very involved in the recovering of D. S Warner’s former home site adjacent to the campgrounds. Warner Camp, as many now know it, was loved by Brother D. S. Warner. He built his final home nearby. Before and after the grounds were purchased, he fished frequently in Lester Lake. After it became the site of our first national encampment, he preached some highly successful camp meetings there, with crowds estimated to reach upwards of ten-thousand.
Some call Warner our founder. He did become a successful pastor-evangelist. He became a successful publisher, with the aid of friends and the voluntary “Trumpet Family” J.C. Fisher initiated. There were others, like Sebastian Michels, who became to Warner at that given time, what Barnabas became to Paul. There were others, like Enoch Byrum, who freed Warner from office management in 1887; that allowed Warner to travel, evangelize, write, and still publish. All in all, I call him our “patron saint.”
However, have we gone a little overboard? I don’t mind calling our campground Warner Memorial Camp, although I think a change of name could bring new meaning and fresh importance, while better serving us today.
Interestingly enough, there is a Warner Memorial Church of God in Ferndale, MI. There used to be a Warner Memorial Church of God in Milwaukee, WI; I don’t know what ever happened to them, but The Yearbook no longer lists such a church.
In the early 50s I cut my eye teeth in camp meeting amid rattlesnakes and Sage Brush at a site that formerly housed Warner Memorial University, Eastland, TX. J. T. Wilson’s dream collapsed with the depression. En route to Eastland, TX I went to Portland, OR and became an alumnus of a Bible School now known as Warner Pacific College (for me a life-changing experience). More recently, our university of the southeast renamed itself from Warner Southern College to Warner University.
Lest we forget our once illustrious publishing house that formerly printed Warner’s magazine, “The Gospel Trumpet.” That institution was known for many years as Warner Press, Inc.--until the demise of the magazine. There is also a blogsite with the name walkingwithwarner. In case you wonder where I am going with this, consider the following.
Originally, we called ourselves a “Reformation Movement.” Eventually, we lost the movement and today we have little reform. We rejected organization and man-made rule (denominationalism). Yet, I wonder if we, in our inconsistency and incongruity (Patrick Nachtigal calls us a “case study in irony”), have fallen prey to becoming Warnerites.
There are those among us who will read and publish only the original writings of Warner and his earliest followers, (Byrum, Smith, Riggle, Brown, Morrison et al). I’ve often had the impression that non of the rest of us were quite as inspired of God and authoritative as were those first writers of the early decades--no matter what our pedigree.
Have we been inconsistent in elevating D.S. Warner to such a high level of “hero worship”? Have we betrayed our antipathy of man worship by naming so many objects and functions after D. S. Warner? Have we betrayed some of the very message we proclaim as his? I hold him in pretty high esteem myself, so I cannot really speak for you because I have my own bit of bias.
In spite of our manifested reverence for Elder Warner, there is one small matter in which I suggest our “Warner” memorials and other trappings fall a little short. A couple of illustrations will make my point.
1) Warner stepped outside the four walls of denominationalism at Beaver Dam, IN to fellowship and work with believers of all stripes--to save the world (for most of our institutional life, we have treated other believers like the a Babylonian harlot (metaphor intended). 2) Warner used every means at his disposal to extend his mission and share his message (reach his world, whereas we have built ourselves a comfortable, middleclass upwardly mobile denomination).
Regardless of which side of this discussion you land on, it would seem that we really ought to clarify our understandings of what Warner was really about and what he was willing to do to achieve God’s will for his life. Then perhaps we could do a better job of memorializing the man and his message.
From Warner’s World, this is
walkingwithwarner@blogspot.com
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 4th, 2010
234 years old … sounds like one of the ancient patriarchs of early Bible days, but today we celebrate the birthday of our country by singing “God Bless America,” “America, the Beautiful,” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
We honor our war dead and celebrate the lives of returned veterans. This morning, I watched the video of the men and women of North Avenue Church who served WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan; the list is unending. Wars and rumors of wars remain unceasing and I sometimes wonder if God does not weep at the horrific waste of His Creation, both in manpower and goods.
Several years ago I served as counselor-teacher for Charlie Jinks and his sister, both from our local church; we were working on their GOD AND COUNTRY Scouting awards. This morning I saw Charlie’s picture, now an Iraq-Afghanistan veteran (thank God he still has his head!)
At the other end of the spectrum, I noted Roy Krontz, a man I have known for the past 37 years. Roy became a Christian soon after we met and I know few men today that I respect more than Roy--a man that walks his talk--a WWII veteran.
Many gave their lives for our political determinations, as well as our national freedom. Many returned home to productive lives and families and we respect them. Yet, I have to wonder at times, what makes them so special. What about countless citizens that invested their lives in our country, our churches, our families, our corporations, our communities?
What makes military service any more patriotic than any other positive investment in the future of our nation? Do we overly glorify war and elevate military service above other national services? As I write, the Air Force Thunderbirds are in town for our annual Balloon Festival; I hear them entertaining the crowd over at Kellogg Airport, and draw a crowd they do!
In her working days, my wife frequently fed them at her establishment and got to know some of them quite well--outstanding young Americans. Now she is elderly and the whine of their jet engines wracks her pain-filled body and I wonder at the horror one must feel as a victim of war and on the receiving end of a machine gun tree-top strafing.
War causes one to do things that one would not otherwise do. It builds hatred and leaves lingering horrors. I once wore the uniform, but would I do it again; I don’t know. What I do know is that since the second Iraq campaign I have observed the ugly side of American politics more closely than before, and I have studied the failed diplomacies of wars dating back to WWI. I have watched the inhumanity of war and the inability of military powers to either prevent or cure war. At the same time, I could not missed the obscene profits made by those who profit from such business (blood money we called it in WWII).
I thank my Heavenly Father that no radical Muslim neighbor can come in and decapitate me, or rape members of my family, or sell us into slavery just because we are lower-class, or Christians, or whatever (I read the stories every day in India, Pakistan, Indonesia et al).
Russian Security cannot come in and prosecute me falsely, as is the case with a Russian business lady in the current news, who dared to challenge the secrecy of a local Russian Security establishment. America is still the one country that values people enough that people will risk their lives to become part of it, and for that reason it deserves to continue its national existence.
I am deeply grateful for our country and for our freedoms to live out our understanding of community, and faith, and worship. I will defend them with my dying breath and I will give others the same respect regardless of color, creed, or culture, with the understanding that we all stand equal in this country and there is no such thing as Sharia, or forced conversion, or no conversion.
People of the Armed Forces deserve the same respect that everyone else gets, no more, no less. We all have a national duty to participate, to respect the human rights of every individual, and to vigorously protect our natural global resources. Above all else, I affirm my devotion to our all-wise, all-knowing, and all powerful Creator and God and the spiritual kingdom of love, grace, and service introduced to us by Jesus, whom I know as The Christ.
“Because He Lives” I will love God supremely and with God’s help I will love my neighbor as myself.
From Warner’s World, I am
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
We honor our war dead and celebrate the lives of returned veterans. This morning, I watched the video of the men and women of North Avenue Church who served WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan; the list is unending. Wars and rumors of wars remain unceasing and I sometimes wonder if God does not weep at the horrific waste of His Creation, both in manpower and goods.
Several years ago I served as counselor-teacher for Charlie Jinks and his sister, both from our local church; we were working on their GOD AND COUNTRY Scouting awards. This morning I saw Charlie’s picture, now an Iraq-Afghanistan veteran (thank God he still has his head!)
At the other end of the spectrum, I noted Roy Krontz, a man I have known for the past 37 years. Roy became a Christian soon after we met and I know few men today that I respect more than Roy--a man that walks his talk--a WWII veteran.
Many gave their lives for our political determinations, as well as our national freedom. Many returned home to productive lives and families and we respect them. Yet, I have to wonder at times, what makes them so special. What about countless citizens that invested their lives in our country, our churches, our families, our corporations, our communities?
What makes military service any more patriotic than any other positive investment in the future of our nation? Do we overly glorify war and elevate military service above other national services? As I write, the Air Force Thunderbirds are in town for our annual Balloon Festival; I hear them entertaining the crowd over at Kellogg Airport, and draw a crowd they do!
In her working days, my wife frequently fed them at her establishment and got to know some of them quite well--outstanding young Americans. Now she is elderly and the whine of their jet engines wracks her pain-filled body and I wonder at the horror one must feel as a victim of war and on the receiving end of a machine gun tree-top strafing.
War causes one to do things that one would not otherwise do. It builds hatred and leaves lingering horrors. I once wore the uniform, but would I do it again; I don’t know. What I do know is that since the second Iraq campaign I have observed the ugly side of American politics more closely than before, and I have studied the failed diplomacies of wars dating back to WWI. I have watched the inhumanity of war and the inability of military powers to either prevent or cure war. At the same time, I could not missed the obscene profits made by those who profit from such business (blood money we called it in WWII).
I thank my Heavenly Father that no radical Muslim neighbor can come in and decapitate me, or rape members of my family, or sell us into slavery just because we are lower-class, or Christians, or whatever (I read the stories every day in India, Pakistan, Indonesia et al).
Russian Security cannot come in and prosecute me falsely, as is the case with a Russian business lady in the current news, who dared to challenge the secrecy of a local Russian Security establishment. America is still the one country that values people enough that people will risk their lives to become part of it, and for that reason it deserves to continue its national existence.
I am deeply grateful for our country and for our freedoms to live out our understanding of community, and faith, and worship. I will defend them with my dying breath and I will give others the same respect regardless of color, creed, or culture, with the understanding that we all stand equal in this country and there is no such thing as Sharia, or forced conversion, or no conversion.
People of the Armed Forces deserve the same respect that everyone else gets, no more, no less. We all have a national duty to participate, to respect the human rights of every individual, and to vigorously protect our natural global resources. Above all else, I affirm my devotion to our all-wise, all-knowing, and all powerful Creator and God and the spiritual kingdom of love, grace, and service introduced to us by Jesus, whom I know as The Christ.
“Because He Lives” I will love God supremely and with God’s help I will love my neighbor as myself.
From Warner’s World, I am
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
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