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(Since I wrote the above article another one in our newspaper got my attention. D.T.) ChurchForAll The above title was found on the front page of the Messenger-Inquirer, dated Sunday, October 3, 2010. While reading this article I was somewhat conflicted. First, there were a number of things that I agreed with. Their motto is: "One human race...one church...learning the Bible to live the blessed life." Just a little later in the article I read, "ChurchForAll's mission/vision is 'to establish a Bible based fellowship that embraces all members of the human race through Jesus Christ." This is downright Biblical. I thought of Ephesians 4.4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Earlier in the Ephesian letter, the Apostle spoke of Christ breaking down the wall of division between Jews and Gentiles and reconciling them into one body. Therefore, the mission statement of "ChurchForAll" is pretty good. However, as I read on in the article I saw some problems. First, the "founder" of this group is Rev. Moses Garswa Matally. I thought Jesus was the founder of the church. If this man is truly the founder of this church then it is not the church of Jesus Christ. Second, the title Reverend is used referring to this man. Perhaps the writer of this article used the title without the man's permission, but this term is used in Psalm 111.9 in the King James Bible in referring to God. Only God is to be Reverend. Third, while speaking of Bible based fellowship the article spoke of a breakfast provided by the church to all who attend. Call me old fashion, but the term fellowship does not refer to a common meal. In fact, the only time we read of the church having a common meal is in 1 Corinthians 11.22 and there the brethren were criticized for doing so. Finally, the article said that the members call themselves "covenant partners." Where is that found in the Bible? They were called Christians, disciples, and saints but I cannot find one time they were called "covenant partners." It is one thing to say that we are Bible based, it is another to actually be Bible based. Let me make one other point. The church is composed of all the saved. We need the zeal of these folks while remaining true to God's word. -- Dennis Tucker |