Sponsoring Church -- God or Man?
By Keith Greer

Many years ago, some brethren decided that churches could better evangelize by pooling their resources. By this I mean: many churches sending their money to one church, board of directors, or eldership that would oversee its distribution to the gospel preachers whom they chose to support.

The most famous example of this is the Herald of Truth in Abilene, TX. The elders at the Highland St. Church of Christ act as a board of directors. At one time, over 2700 churches were sending funds that totaled more than 1 million dollars!

About a decade ago, another church, in Cookeville, TN, started One Nation Under God. In the beginning, they asked for individual contributions only. But when the money didn't come in fast enough, they begin to accept money from churches. In the early 90s, One Nation Under God placed a comic strip teaching the truth (concerning the plan of salvation) in every home in the United States. On the back, the strip gave credit for this work to the Churches of Christ. Now, you might wonder what is wrong with this concept. Only one thing -- THERE'S NO BIBLE AUTHORITY.

Yet, those who support these programs tell us they fall under the church's duty to preach he gospel to the whole world. Yes, the church is to spread the gospel -- but how? A careful study of the scriptures, and the examples of churches that did this work, reveals not one thin dime ever sent to a single church, with that church overseeing where the funds were sent. This concept violates church autonomy.

Two Approaches -- (Acts 15:22-32)

Jerusalem - Antioch Herald of Truth
  1. A matter of DIVINE revelation (vs.28).
  2. Jerusalem corrects misinformation (vs.24).
  3. Churches troubled -- this brings peace (vs.29-35).
  4. Jerusalem was not a sponsoring church. She did not receive funds from other churches and then disburse those funds.
  5. Antioch was not a sponsoring church. She also did not receive and disburse funds.
  6. Antioch was not performing part of the Jerusalem church's work.
  1. Brotherhood work.
  2. No divine revelation.
  3. Correction of misinformation not the purpose.
  4. Churches WERE at peace -- the Herald of Truth brought division and strife.
  5. Highland is a sponsoring church. She DOES receive and disburse funds.
  6. Highland is performing part of the work of contributing churches. This is brotherhood action.

Do You See the Difference?

There's No Scripture!

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