Truth Magazine

By Bill Bynum

In December, my wife and I will return to preach in Czechoslovakia. We returned to America the last week in May of this year after having spent just over eight months there. As the time for our return draws close I would like to share some information concerning the work there and make some observations about the work.

At the time of this writing 13 Czechs have been baptized. Studies continue with numerous others. A number of the current contacts have been made as a result of the Czech Christians’ interest in helping spread the Word. While this proper and natural manifestation of growth was anticipated, it is still quite heartwarming.

There were some aspects of the work that were quite surprising. One unpleasant surprise was the proliferation of denominational and cultic influence. Charismatic and ecumenical ideology is very wide-spread. I truly believe that I spent more time discussing the work of the Holy Spirit than evidences or Catholicism. Also, the Mormons, Adventist, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are well organized and typically evangelistic. Institutional churches are involved in some efforts there, but to this point have not been particularly effective, especially in Bohemia and Moravia.

The intelligence and study habits of the Czechs were a more pleasant surprise. They are surprisingly well read in many areas, including philosophy. In an early study with a young man who has since been converted I was asked to compare and contrast the Genesis flood account with the Epic of Gilgamesh, and Akkadian flood legend. The studies are often quite lengthy because of their enthusiasm. Many ore also willing to do a great deal of reading between studies. On one occasion, after having asked a young man to read several chapters in Matthew, he replied that he would probably read the entire book. Also, they are critical listeners, ready to challenge what is presented. In addition to manifesting the attitude of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) it makes them less susceptible to the inevitable false teachers.

Since our return I have been contacted by a number of people who are interested in the work and want my thoughts on the best way they could be involved. Now I would like to put in print some of the things I have articulated in the discussions. I do not claim to have all of the answers. Some of the conclusions that I have reached have resulted from mistakes I have made or helped make. I also hasten to acknowledge that these observations are matters of judgment. Also, I am presupposing an interest in only scriptural I commend the interest that many are expressing financially, with words of encouragement and prayer, or in actually planning to go. I hope this interest will be an enduring one. The part of the world under consideration has a population of around 400 million people, many years of work and many laborers are needed. To this end, I offer the following thoughts.

In Czechoslovakia the work is in the process of “spreading out.” Some of the people who have been baptized in Prague are actually from other cities in Bohemia and Moravia. Work needs to be done with these people in their home towns. Mike Morrow who has recently returned from several months there is planning to return in January to do this. Anyone interested in helping Mike in this work can contact him through me. Also, anyone planning to go to Czechoslovakia should at least consider locating in one of these areas.

The type and length of trip that will be profitable has also been an area of interest to many. I would like to preface my thoughts on this with a couple of comments. First, as suggested earlier, this is essentially a matter of judgment. Also, theoretically, any trip can be of some value. With this background accepted, I offer the following

In most cases, trips of a couple of months or less will be of limited value. I am led to this conclusion by a combination of considerations. The culture shock is drastic enough that is takes some time to adjust sufficiently to truly communicate with the indigenous population, even those who speak English with some proficiency. Obviously this time factor lessens the effectiveness of a very short trip. Also, while as a whole the people are open and receptive, conversion has been a protracted process. Few have been taught in less than three or four months. So the question becomes who will “follow up” with these folks and when will it occur? We went to Prague initially in part because we thought that we had a pool of contacts waiting to be worked with. These contacts were made during a short trip made earlier in the year. However, we were able to develop studies with only a couple of these people and neither was converted.

What about a broad distribution of Bibles and materials? Of course there is value in placing the Truth in the hands of people who have not had previous access to it. However, the tangible results have been very limited. Early in our work in Prague we tried this type of approach. Even with us living there and giving a local address we did not receive even one response from anyone we met during a general distribution of literature. Our success came from more personal contact with the people.

Previously, I stated that this described “most cases.” What would cause the exception? One circumstance that creates a different situation is a person having prior contact with people in a specific area. If a person goes into an area like this and stays working with these people it may well be profitable. It helps to solve both the communication problem and the problem of spending too much time traveling. Also, I believe that it may be worthwhile for a person planning to move to Eastern Europe to go first to help them make good decisions.

Questions have also arisen concerning the value of trips that involve staying only a few months. I would preface my thoughts by acknowledging that ideally, capable men would determine to go to these places for a number of years to work. Having acknowledged the axiomatic, what is the value of a shorter stay? I offer two lines of reasoning to vindicate the legitimacy of this approach. The first is that the problems I suggested previously concerning short visits can be reasonably handled in a stay of a number of months. Also, the work that has been done thus far has been accomplish ed with workers staying a year or less, with the notable exception of the Young’s who have been there just over a year. Most of the doubts about the value of a stay of a year or less come from trying to apply basically valid generalizations about work in Europe to the central and eastern countries. The difference in the situations encountered in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands and those encountered in the formerly communist countries are too basic for the generalizations to legitimately apply. The people in Czech Romania, etc. have been denied access to the Truth. Western Europe has not. Establishing credibility is a problem for gospel preachers in many foreign works. However, in the Central and Eastern countries it is not. To this and other comments about short stays I would add that it is easier to be critical of others’ judgment from a comfortable house with no plans to go.

So what is needed in reaching these peoples? Christians who are willing to sacrifice and go, men and women who will do the work and be supportive of one another, people who are willing and capable of adapting to the culture of the country and respecting and loving the people, churches and individuals are needed that will sacrifice to send and support these people are the answer. (Surely some of the work on the building will wait.) All Christians are needed to offer the prayers and words of encouragement necessary to spread the gospel to this part of the world.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 23, pp. 717-718
December 5, 1991

By Tol Burk

The 20th of September marks one year that we have been here and so much has happened that it seems like it must be several years, not just one. It was the 23rd of last September that 12 of us met in Alford Benjamin’s living room for worship services. Then we met in the Methodist building for the months of October and November, with the Sunny Isles church from December through March, in our living room three weeks in April, then to the Boy Scout building, where we continue to meet. During that time we have lost one family, had one man to place membership and two to be restored, of which one is very weak again. Our attendance now is running 20-25 on Sunday morning, 15-20 on Sunday night, 8-10 on Monday night for prayer and singing, and 15 on Thursday night. Our contribution now is averaging $175 a week. During September the number of Bible classes we have had each week has picked up somewhat – five a week, with 10-12 people. Of those we have studied with this year we continue to study with most of them, several have stopped studying because they are “too busy” and several have stopped because they are or were off island. I have had to make adjustments to the way I teach in home Bible classes because of “culture” as well as the fact that most people here know very little of the Bible, coupled with the fact that even when they read the Bible they don’t always understand what they read. I find myself explaining almost every Scripture and doing much more “lecturing” rather than asking questions. We are still finding there are many people who will at least begin a Bible study, which leaves us with many open doors. Please continue to pray for us as we work together.

In looking at the congregation here I believe we have all matured and are growing closer together. The turmoil and uncertainty surrounding our merging with the Sunny Isles church had a greater effect on some of us than it did on others and thus it has taken some longer to “recover” from it than others. I believe we are all “recovered” now. Our Thursday night Bible study for the last two weeks has borne this out. Last week we had a visitor who wanted to discuss the “Jesus only” doctrine, so it was decided we would discuss that. Well, our visitor wasn’t listening too much, but we all listened to him and were challenged to examine our ideas. Even the young people were involved and posing “arguments.” We were definitely all together in our “opposition” to his doctrine. This past Thursday we studied church cooperation and had a very profitable study in which all participated. And let me say just here that the brethren are not anxious about time when it comes to worship or Bible study. The only time we limit ourselves to an hour is Sunday morning Bible study. Our worship will usually last an hour and a half three prayers, a Scripture reading, Lord’s supper which usually occupies 40 minutes, then the lesson of 35-45 minutes, and a closing. They may not come just on time, but they are not in a great hurry to leave either. We start our Bible study at 7:30 and I try to start winding up at 8:20 or so, but we seldom close before 8:45 or 9 p.m. But who would complain when brethren want to study God’s word? We have laughed about what people here call “Cruzan time.” Cruzan time is like Mexico time for those of you who are familiar with it – the worship service is set for 9 a.m., but no one arrives until 9:05 with most arriving anywhere from 10-30 minutes late. This has been a problem in the church, but the last several months have seen a number of the brethren making real effort to improve. We are making progress, both in personal development and in taking part in the worship service. We began in June to have different men make a talk on Wednesday night and all the men have taken part and done well, including one or two who had never done so before. All of the men lead singing and that has improved by leaps and bounds. Is this congregation perfect? By no means, so we continue on toward perfection, forgetting those things that are behind. There is, however, a general desire to improve here that is missing in some congregations.

As for the members of the Sunny Isle church we are still studying with one of them, her husband (a non-Christian) as well as the husband of another member. Most of them are still cordial when you meet them, but they don’t really see why we left. There are even several who agree that it is wrong to eat in the building, use the building for other “good causes,” or support institutions but either don’t have enough conviction to stand up or don’t see it as important.. Unfortunately not a few of them are converted to the “church of Christ” (particularly, the Sunny Isles church), not Christ. Tradition and numbers mean more than truth. We continue to pray for them and are still seeking opportunities to study with them, but there are few takers at this time.

Well, brethren the first year is behInd us and I trust that in this next year we will begin to see the fruits of our labors. I am 36 years old today. It was one year ago that we essentially began all over as concerns physical goods. In that year we have managed to reacquire furniture, some tools, etc. but let me tell you it’s been frustrating at times. Since we have been married we have not lived in an apartment but have been in one for nine months now. That in itself has been quite an adjustment. Having your firm fiancial support has been a great encouragement and has made it so much easier. Please continue to pray for all of us, as we labor in the Lord’s vineyard here. At this point my plans are still for me to be in the States from January 11 to February 10. With the Lord’s help I’m planning to be with each church that supports me, at least for a short time. Brethren, we appreciate your continued support and concern. Write us when you can. May our heavenly Father continue to bless you with all things that you have need of.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 23, pp. 722-723
December 5, 1991

By Gary Patton

God’s word is filled with statements of encouragement. Words that are meant to help us feel good about serving him and living as he would have us live. He promises to be with and help us. He also promises grand and marvelous rewards to those who are faithful to the end.

But just as he often encourages us, he also warns us. His warning is basically that “we sin not” (1 Jn. 2:1). For if we sin and do not seek forgiveness he will reject us in that final day. God paints a very terrible picture of those lost in sin, a picture showing both suffering and anguish here as well as throughout eternity. If the rewards and blessings are so great and the sufferings of the punishment so terrible, then the obvious question is “Why sin?” Why do we violate his law found in his word? God in his supreme wisdom has revealed to us in the Bible why we sin. It is important that we listen to him so that we will constantly try to avoid those things that would tempt us to sin.

The Holy Spirit moved the apostle Paul to write to Timothy that the love of material wealth will cause us to sin. He writes in 1 Timothy 6:6-10 of the dangers of riches and says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” We live in a world where one’s success is measured by his material possessions, and one’s greatness by how much effort and devotion he gives to its accumulation. This pressures others to do the same and they are lured into thinking that obtaining material possessions must come first in one’s life. This means putting God and his work behind the obtaining of material possessions. God tells us that if we have food and raiment we should be content (1 Tim. 6:8). How often has the love of obtaining more material possessions caused us to love God less and thus fail to put him first (Matt. 6:33), thus falling into sin.

We sin because of a lack of love for God. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” He also said he came to do the will of his Father, so that whatever he commands or reveals to us we are to do. The revealed will of God becomes the law for us to follow and obey. If we truly love someone we will do all we possibly can to please that individual. If we love the Lord with all our soul, mind and strength we will obey whatever he says. If he tells us not to commit adultery, not to steal, or not to lie, etc., we will then strive with everything we have not to disobey God. We will try to keep ourselves out of situations that would tempt us to sin. A lack of supreme love for God in our lives can cause us to sin.

In Romans the third chapter, beginning with verse ten, several terrible things are quoted from Psalms as happening because, he says, “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (v. 18). The word “fear” as used in the Bible usually has one of two meanings. Sometimes it is used in the sense of reverence, other times it is used to mean the dread of an action one can possibly suffer. Both cases are true when it comes to why we sin. Many sin today because they have no respect for God and his word, the Bible. They lack respect in that they are not willing to let him guide their lives. The lack of respect for his word is seen in that they openly disobey what they know God commands. Others fail to fear because of the teaching of humanists, which produces atheists and their philosophy that there is no God. These have no fear of any “everlasting punishment” of God after death and a judgment day. With such fears removed the flood gate is open for people to live as they please, destroying any barriers that might prevent them from seeking to live according to the flesh and a life of sin.

A child learns early that if he is not immediately punished for an act, he can continue it or repeat it. It is not till later in life that he learns that not all punishment is immediate. When we get caught up in a life of sin, we often revert to this childish reasoning that, since God didn’t punish me immediately, there will be no punishment. In Ecclesiastes 8:11-13, we read the warning, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked.” In the New Testament the Lord tried to correct this type of reasoning through the pen of Peter in 1 Peter 3:3-18. He says that the longsuffering of God is salvation (v. 18), not slackness (v. 9). God will punish all with unforgiven sins in the day of judgment, and that punishment is eternal punishment in hell.

Since God told us why people sin, let us strive to avoid those things and attitudes that would lead us into a life of sin. Rather let us strive to obey his commands that lead to righteousness in this life and a reward of joy in heaven in the hereafter. “Fear God And keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13,14).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 23, p. 716
December 5, 1991

By Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

Mark Twain once sent a telegram stating that “the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

Occasionally I hear that a certain church is dead. Knowing that churches do die, this concerns me because I love God’s people.

Sardis was a dead church with a general reputation of being alive (Rev. 3:1). This biblical example and my own experience teaches me that people’s assessment of a situation may not be accurate. A church pronounced alive by certain people may in fact be dead. Conversely, a church pronounced dead by certain people may be alive and well – thank you.

When I hear these reports of dead churches, I try not to get too alarmed and immediately go into mourning over their passing. Nor do I hastily jump in with some kind of drastic resucitative measures to restore their breath of life. It just might be that these reports have been greatly exaggerated. I have learned to consider my sources before notifying the next of kin throughout the brotherhood or even expressing my concern to the membership of these “dead churches.” A church that may be dead from a certain person’s perspective may not really be dead after all because his concept of deadness may be influenced by certain experiences in his background.

A person with “pentecostal” leanings will sometimes observe the quiet and orderly manner of a congregation’s worship and pronounce it dead. A decent and orderly service, according to the principle taught in I Corinthians 14:40, needs some life pumped into it from his perspective. To him, a little foot stomping, hand clapping, bodily gyrations, gospel music to a rock, country, or western beat, and spontaneous outbursts would infuse some life into this “dead church.” But, the churches in the New Testament seemed to get along and thrive without such things.

A very liberal-minded brother analyzes a congregation’s collective work and pronounces the church dead. He sees no social welfare activities. He notices no organized recreational, social, political or other “fellowship” activities for its various age groups. He looks over the church staff and facilities and sees nothing that indicates the church’s involvement in such things. The congregation just meets for worship and edification, conducts periods of Bible study for all who will attend, maybe has a special series of meetings from time to time, supports an evangelist who works locally with them and other evangelists who work in various places in the world, and gives financial aid to needy members as the need arises. What a dead church! Poor thing! To a person of this mind-set, this church needs a transfusion of a whirlwind of activities more relevant to today’s world along with the trained personnel to direct these great “ministries” to raise it from the dead. Again, never mind that the Scriptures nowhere authorized these social and recreational programs.

Still another, though not as liberal-minded as, the other brother, but geared to the fast-paced, results-oriented, organizationally-minded, elaborately-programmed modern world, looks at a congregation that is not as highly organized as he has become accustomed to in his secular world, as being dead. Such a one has a hard time conceiving of a church being very productive without the same kind of techniques and pressure points that he is used to in his day-to-day world. His kind often convinces the church to pattern itself after the concepts that they consider to have worked so well for society, business and government. Then they look around at churches that do not have similar “programs” and pompously pronounce them dead on the vine. Unless a church has the same kind of dynamic, hyper-active programs characteristic of their highly organized world, it is simply not doing anything – it is dead.

These people do not seem to understand that the bulk of the Lord’s work commanded and done in the New Testament was done by Christians on a personal level. Yes, there was church organization in the New Testament (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). Saints were organized into local congregations with elders to lead and oversee and with special servants called deacons. They had work to do that required organization; and, of course, this is still true today. However, not every thing that a Christians does for the Lord and his church has to be planned, organized, orchestrated or supervised by the church. The church does not have to have a “program” to cover all the needs, problems and responsibilities of the Christian. In fact, it is this writer’s judgment that many churches – even those we would label “conservative” – are “programming” themselves to death. Much like secular governments, they are becoming topheavy with bureaucracy, thus stifling individual initiative and productivity.

To certain people, unless the work is done as a part of a church initiated and highly structured “program,” “we are not doing anything.” When, in fact, “we” may be doing much more than many of the highly programmed churches are doing. How can this be? By dedicated members, prepared “for works of service” (cf. Eph. 4:12, NIV) by the edification work of the church, going about their daily lives fulfilling their individual responsibilities according to their abilities and opportunities.

A worker talks informally with a fellow-employee about Christ. A housewife talks to her neighbor about the gospel over a friendly cup of coffee. A student gives tracts to his classmates at school. A couple invites some folks over for dinner and in the course of it tells them about Christ and the church – maybe even getting together with them again and again. A sister carries meals to a sick or bereaved neighbor and her family. A member notices a fellow-member is missing a lot lately and phones him to find out what the problem is. A mother raises a house full of children, all of whom turn out to be faithful Christians. A family has some ki& over to sing, study the Bible, or just to be together. The list could go on and on with things Christians of conviction and dedication do without any public recognition or fanfare. This kind of thing is seldom taken into account by those who are quick to pronounce a church as a dead or “do-nothing” church. Unless these things are done within the framework of some church initiated and supervised “program” they just do not count with some brethren.

A Methodist prcacher once told me that they were so organized that if two Methodist preachers accidently fell out of an airplane that they would not be able to hit the ground without first forming a landing committee to supervise the operation. I fear that some of my brethren are about as bad.

To brethren with this m entality, we are not visiting unless we have a church-planned and supervised visitation program. We are not evangelizing the community unless we have a specific personal evangelism program, planned and supervised by the church. Unless we are super-organized with highly visible programs for such things then we are bound to be accused by certain elements in the church of being dead or at least “we are not doing anything” – no matter how much individual members may be quietly doing without a sound of a trumpet (cf. Matt. 6:2).

Am I opposed to all organized programs for doing the Lord’s work? No. I am simply saying that it has gotten to the point that too much emphasis is being placed on “church programs” and not enough on individual initiative and activity, prompted by personal conviction and commitment to the Lord. Also, that simply because a church may not have a portfolio of organized programs or a church orchestrated effort for everything that Christians need to be doing for the Lord and his church, does not mean that it is dead or that it is doing nothing.

Maybe, we can learn from the failures of communist systems around the world. Many countries are beginning to see how unproductive such tightly organized societies really are. They have placed too much emphasis upon state initiated and supervised programs. Such programs discourage individual initiative and productivity, hindering society as a whole. I believe a similar thing happens in those churches that over-emphasize collective programs for almost every phase of a Christian’s life.

One wonders how the church ever grew and prospered before all these ingenious programs, that some brethren think we must have today, became so fashionable. From the very beginning, churches that met for worship and mutual encouragement, edifying themselves through teaching or preaching, supporting gospel preachers and helping needy saints from their treasuries under the oversight of elders and served by deacons grew and prospered around the world. Why? Because the members were converted to the Lord. They were diligent students of the Bible “always abounding in the work of the Lord” from day unto day and from week unto week. They did not have to have an assignment from some organized program to act.

Maybe if we gave less attention and criticism to what “we” are doing or not doing beyond those things that must necessarily be done collectively and gave more attention to diligently studying the Bible and quietly practicing it, on an individual level from day to day, the church would really grow and prosper. I know this much. When members do this they do not make up a dead church by any stretch of the imagination.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 23, pp. 720-721
December 5, 1991