Jeff Walling & Northside Christian Church
I've heard a few bad sermons in my day. Shoot, I've preached a few bad sermons. Do I hear an Amen?
But last night was not a time for bad sermons. Jeff Walling traveled across the US from Charlotte to Fresno to speak all weekend at Northside Christian Church. Jeff preaches for the Providence Road Church of Christ. That's "Church of Christ" as in a cappella Churches of Christ. That's "Church of Christ" as in the group that has tended to think they were the only ones going to heaven.
With that kind of mentality, you shouldn't be surprised to learn that our preachers didn't get many invitations to speak outside our "bonds of fellowship." Sure, Max Lucado is "one of us." Thanks to his success as an author and to his gentle, ecumenical spirit, he speaks at churches of all persuasions. But he is the exception.
Since 2005, a handful of our preachers have received occasional invitations to speak in Christian Churches. Thanks to a unity gathering of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, some ministers have exchanged pulpits. A few of our top-notch speakers like Jeff Walling have received invitations to speak in large Christian Churches like Northside here in Fresno.
Jeff did a great job last night. To use Robert Reid's 4 categories, he speaks beautifully in the "Encouraging Voice" as a preacher. After you hear him speak, it's hard not to say, "Lord, may this be so in my life."
I'm thankful that Northside was willing to invite a preacher from a formerly sectarian segment of Christianity. It speaks well of them. And I'm grateful for Jeff who speaks God's encouraging words to the hearts of so many people.
But last night was not a time for bad sermons. Jeff Walling traveled across the US from Charlotte to Fresno to speak all weekend at Northside Christian Church. Jeff preaches for the Providence Road Church of Christ. That's "Church of Christ" as in a cappella Churches of Christ. That's "Church of Christ" as in the group that has tended to think they were the only ones going to heaven.
With that kind of mentality, you shouldn't be surprised to learn that our preachers didn't get many invitations to speak outside our "bonds of fellowship." Sure, Max Lucado is "one of us." Thanks to his success as an author and to his gentle, ecumenical spirit, he speaks at churches of all persuasions. But he is the exception.
Since 2005, a handful of our preachers have received occasional invitations to speak in Christian Churches. Thanks to a unity gathering of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, some ministers have exchanged pulpits. A few of our top-notch speakers like Jeff Walling have received invitations to speak in large Christian Churches like Northside here in Fresno.
Jeff did a great job last night. To use Robert Reid's 4 categories, he speaks beautifully in the "Encouraging Voice" as a preacher. After you hear him speak, it's hard not to say, "Lord, may this be so in my life."
I'm thankful that Northside was willing to invite a preacher from a formerly sectarian segment of Christianity. It speaks well of them. And I'm grateful for Jeff who speaks God's encouraging words to the hearts of so many people.
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