I've been reading brother Ed Harrell's new book on 20th century Churches of Christ (along with his biography of Homer Hailey). Brother Harrell discusses many brethren's attitudes during the past 100 years. I am struck by the wide differences in beliefs concerning authority for what the church does, and how we establish that authority.

During the late 1950s, many of the larger churches thought that, by establishing brotherhood programs, they could accomplish greater things. One such effort was the Herald of Truth, a radio program sponsored by the Highland Avenue church in Abilene Texas. Its board of directors, made up of the Highland Street elders, was to oversee the monies they hoped to collect from cooperating churches around the country. They would funnel the money into gospel preaching throughout the world. Far and wide, they sounded forth the call for other churches to support this great work. They labeled, as "antis," those who opposed this arrangement.

"What's the big deal" they asked. The Bible clearly tells us to preach the gospel to the entire world. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). But where is the authority for a work such as they were establishing? Religious journals of the day were filled with arguments as each side defended its position. Those who upheld the Herald-of-Truth concept said "The church does many things for which there is no authority. Where are the Bible verses that authorize church buildings, water coolers, air conditioners, or songbooks. We haven't divided over those things. Why divide over this?" The others responded by saying that the general command to assemble authorized those things. And the battle was on.

Fifty years later, where are we. What's become of the Highland Street church? On October 5, 1999, that church had a special Tuesday night communion service called "Walk to Emmaus." One who attended related the following. "On stage, there was a full-blown band. An all-woman quartet entertained the audience. In addition, there was hand-clapping, and hands raised in the air with arms and bodies swaying back and forth. The speaker was Eddie Sharp of the University Church of Christ. He read from a book supplied for the 'Walk to Emmaus,' and the audience offered responses, also from the book." His message: "In God's eyes, it is acceptable to be a member of a denominational church. You must let Jesus lead you to whichever church is right for you." As if this weren't enough, during the communion, brother Sharp would break the bread and give it to a member. That member would go to the next person, dip the bread in a large cup of the fruit of the vine, than partake of the soaked bread.

Is this just an isolated case? Today, some churches have puppet shows instead of preaching. One Arkansas church had a "Secret Sisters" Valentine party in the multipurpose room. A Las Vegas church had a Halloween party in the multipurpose room. A West Virginia church has a "double-nickel" club for the over-55 members. During a Sunday morning worship service in a Texas church, the preacher put on a one-man skit, swore during the skit, and got a standing ovation! He voiced his sorrow that so many today still engage in the lost art of "preaching" to reach men's souls. How have we come so far? Quite simply, the door opened for one unscriptural work, and the others followed.