Dear John

A Letter from Bill

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     Dear John: A friend recently asked me, "What are you religiously?" I replied, "I am a Christian." To give this answer brings me a great deal of satisfaction. It is a way of acknowledging that I am a follower of Jesus the Christ, nothing more, nothing less. But there followed another question, as if I had not answered the first one fully. "What kind of a Christian are you?" "Just a Christian," I answered. "Since God has not told me to be a particular kind, I must assume that he is pleased for me to be simply a Christian." This came as a surprise to him. He knew of hundreds of different kinds, but had never heard of people being Christians only. I told him that, in my opinion, there can be very little unity in Christ so long as other names are used to distinguish one group of God's people from another.

     This new idea brought many questions to his mind. He promptly asked, "Where do you meet for worship?" The reply that he got was not the run-of-the-mill answer, but simply, "We meet in our homes with several other families."

     In pointing out some of the advantages of this kind of meeting, I mentioned that the smallness of the group and the informality of a home setting encourage greater concern for each other and freedom of expression. Christians in this type of study arrangement find themselves seeking to know God's will for their lives, rather than looking for scriptures to sup-

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port a particular division of Christianity.

     Another advantage of using our homes for worship is elimination of the usual expenses, such as church buildings, preachers' homes, preachers, and song leaders. Since these needs do not exist we do not solicit for a common treasury. Each family, therefore, has ample means to support its own programs of benevolence and evangelism. To us it is just more enjoyable to buy bread for a needy family than to buy bricks for an impressive church building (in which the poor family would feel so out-of- place they would never go, anyway). We also find more happiness in helping homeless children than in supporting professional preachers to talk to us.

     I could tell that he was accustomed to having his preaching done for him, for right away he wanted to know, "Who does your preaching and who leads your songs?" I told him that we use an approach to study and worship which comes as close as possible to total participation. "Each person," I said, "has equal time to question the group, to answer the questions of others, to lead a song or prayer, or to relate whatever he thinks will benefit the others." We have found that total involvement produces total commitment.

     He asked, "Do all of the others feel the same way about everything as you do?" Of course, I said they did not. While we do agree about many things, we differ about many others. But we have found that tolerance (allowing each the freedom to reach his own conclusions about a matter and to express them without censure) does not hinder unity. For, although we may be divided in our opinions, we are still one in our love for God and for each other. You may remember, John, that I always said if unity depended upon all of God's people believing everything, alike, it would never come. I still believe that.

     "What do you study?" he next asked. "And what is the order of your meetings?" I assured him (concerning what we study) that we stress the weightier matters, such as the love of God, the teachings of his Son, and the workings of his Spirit, and try to avoid subjects which lend themselves only to speculation and controversy. I explained (about the order of our meetings) that we arrive at variety each time by asking a different person to guide our study and devotion in the way he feels it will help us most. This method avoids a lot of formalism and ritual, making our times together more meaningful.

     The last thing he asked was, "What do you do when there are too many to meet in a home?" I told him that we simply divide and meet in two homes at the same time, then go to four when necessary, then eight, etc. With this method there are always plenty of places to meet. I asked him to ponder the dilemma in which our building-oriented brethren would find themselves if, on a given Sunday, every person on earth decided to meet for worship. Of course, the existing church buildings could not begin to hold the crowds. Consider the expense involved in trying to provide enough for standing room only. I doubt that the same occurrence would upset Christians who are accustomed to using homes in which to meet.

     John, I am writing these things to you because we have searched together in the past for truth and I want us to continue to share with each other the results of our studies. I have reached one conclusion which I wish to share with you now. It is this. For me to change from that we were in to any other named group would have meant merely changing problems, trading truth, accepting different prejudices, and setting myself for the defense of a different set of rules. To me God forbids this. Therefore, I have chosen to be, henceforth, simply a Christian, and to seek further spiritual growth by meeting with others who seek peace rather than division.

     Since I have reached this decision I have heard of many such groups all over the country. If there is not one in your neighborhood, John, and you think that this way has merit, just start one in your own home. Friends will notice an extra glow of happiness in your life and realize

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that it comes from being a free man in Christ and at peace with all of God's people. Others will want to meet with you to experience a freedom in their search for God and happiness.

      I realize, John, that this approach to Christian worship may not be the best for every one. It may not be the best for you. I only know that it has been a blessing to me, and for this reason I am eager to share it with others. I know that God will guide us as long as we put Him first in our lives. In Christian love, Bill.

     P.S. If you know of anyone who might like to discuss these ideas with me, please feel free to give them my address and telephone number: Bill Milam, Route 2, Box 119, Plano, Texas 75074. They can call me at 424-5539.