Vicki and I have had many, many conversations with one another—and with many of you—about the condition of churches worldwide. We aren’t speaking for all Christians or all the Churches of Christ, but instead focusing on the 100,000-odd members in our wing of the Restoration Movement.

We’ve decided (with your encouragement) to address some scriptures that have consistently been used in some unhealthy ways. Our hope is to:

  • Rethink familiar passages
  • Encourage the disillusioned, those hoping to learn more Bible, and all who deep down truly want to be called higher
  • Suggest alternatives for those seeking change
  • Answer your questions (even as we seek answers to our own)

For the introduction to the series, click below.

1. WHY "CONVERSATIONS"?

.
Next time we will reflect on the past 20 years of our churches (what’s changed, what hasn’t, where is this all leading), and in the following weeks we’ll begin reexamining the scriptures, beginning with Matthew 18:15-17.

To learn more about Douglas & Vicki, you may want to check out their series Grace & Ungrace (esp. talks 2 and 3). Here they share openly about their first few decades as Christians.


2. AN HONEST LOOK AT THE CHURCH—THE LAST 20 YEARS

.
Background documents (written shortly before and after the collapse of 2003):


3. THE USE & MISUSE OF MATTHEW 18:15-17

.
Also relevant:


4. SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE (?)

.
Also relevant:


5. THE MATTHEW 28 LENS

.
Further:


6. PASTORS & PASTURES

.
Further:


7. WHAT IS "PERSONAL FRUIT"?

.
Further:


8. COUNTING THE COST

CLICK HERE

[premium material—login required]

9. PURITY CULTURE & SKEWED SEXUAL ATTITUDES

.
Further:


10. Q&A ON PURITY CULTURE & SKEWED SEXUAL ATTITUDES

.

Further:


11. IS IT WRONG TO LEAVE MY CHURCH? (Part 1)


12. IS IT WRONG TO LEAVE MY CHURCH? (Part 2)

.
Further:


13. PORTRAITS OF THE CHURCH

Further:


14. MONEY 

CLICK HERE

[premium material—login required]

15. LEADERSHIP & AUTHORITY

CLICK HERE

[premium material—login required]

16. THE BOOK OF LIFE: AM I IN IT—AND WHO DECIDES? 

.
Further:


17. (POSITIVE) PERSPECTIVES ON POLITICS, POVERTY, PARENTING, & CHURCH PEOPLE—
with Nadine Templer (Kathmandu, Nepal)

CLICK HERE (audio only)


18. DECONSTRUCTION & RECONSTRUCTION

.
Some of the scriptures touched on: Eph 4:46, 20; 1 Cor 12:14+; 2 Cor 3:17; Gal 5:1


 

19. CONFIDENCE IN OUR SALVATION  [under construction]

 

20. WITH: REIMAGINING THE WAY YOU RELATE TO GOD  [under construction, pending Nov 2024 UK Teachers Retreat]

.