I found this quote nearly 30 years ago and I keep it bookmarked in the source. It is in Cairns, Earle E., Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church (Zondervan:Grand Rapids) 1981, pp. 83. Quoting from The First Apology by Justin Martyr (A.D. 150-155) and the Didache (A.D. 90-150), Cairns records: "The service, … Continue reading Church Assemblies circa A.D. 150
church history
Hitchhiker’s Church History
Douglas Adams quotes to his readers from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe’s entry on Galactic Civilizations. According to the Guide civilization pass through three stages before their demise. The stages are: Survival, Inquiry, and Sophistication otherwise known as How, Why, and Where. Adams explains it in terms similar to this: Survival - “How are … Continue reading Hitchhiker’s Church History
Why People Leave Churches
The question of why members are leaving churches is weighing heavy on my mind this morning. This is a discussion I have with church leaders on a regular basis. I believe that there are four reasons why people leave churches. I also have four suggestions on how those of us in church leadership and as … Continue reading Why People Leave Churches
History Speaks
The following quote appears to be a compilation of things said by a number of people in the late 1700's. Some researches doubt their authenticity even pointing to a businessman making this statement almost word for word in a speech he gave in the 1940's with no reference to any historian. A decade later politicians … Continue reading History Speaks
Still True!
Recently someone handed me a Xerox of an issue of The Seed Sower. The Seed Sower was the first bulletin produced at Parrish Church of Christ, where I serve as minister. This copy has the following information under the title: Vol. 1 Parrish, Ala. May 9, 1946 No. 1. This is a copy of the … Continue reading Still True!
Building Up the Church – Old School
What you see on my "second desk" are back issues, or should I say "WAY BACK" issues of The Gospel Advocate. These issues are from 1954 - 1955. One of the issues mentions three baptisms in Gallipolis, Ohio. One of those nameless three is my father. Another issue seems to be a special issue on … Continue reading Building Up the Church – Old School
Jubilee!
This past month, after 5 years and 3 months, the congregation at Parrish paid off our mortgage on our mortgage. In 2001 we located and purchased 17 acres of hill, hollow, and creek on the new road between Parrish and Oakman. In 2004 we completed construction on our current building. Then in 2007 we added … Continue reading Jubilee!
Ten Years and Counting
Ten years ago a young preacher, his wife, and 23 month old son left a good congregation in Niceville, Florida where he had served as Youth Minister and then Preaching Minister and head for a smaller, rural congregation in the Alabama Foothills of the Appalachians. Ten years ago they drove up the the building on … Continue reading Ten Years and Counting
Vacation Bible School
Consider this your invitation to Vacation Bible School at Parrish Church of Christ. Our VBS begins Sunday, June 21 and runs through Thursday, June 25 from 6:30 - 8:00 each evening. This year our over-all theme is MARVELous Heroes. Using this theme we will study events from the lives of five Biblical Heroes. Here is … Continue reading Vacation Bible School
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Church History
Douglas Adams quotes to his readers from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe’s entry on Galactic Civilizations. According to the Guide civilization pass through three stages before their demise. The stages are: Survival, Inquiry, and Sophistication otherwise known as How, Why, and Where. Adams explains it in terms similar to this: Survival - “How are … Continue reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Church History
Driving Thought 