Recently the Elders of this congregation presented a statement to the church regarding the basic position taken at Woodland Oaks on various matters of doctrine. That statement was written out and read word-for-word to the congregation.  The Elders want to make that Statement available to anyone who might want to read it. The full text of that statement follows: 

It is not about us and what we want.

It IS about God and what He wants.

We try to keep this in mind in everything we do.

We want to be as sure as we can that we ARE doing what God wants us to do - in all things.

I want to start by saying thank you for this time to share from our hearts some of our thoughts regarding matters that effect this Congregation of the Lord’s Church. We have prayerfully considered this discourse for some time. Your elders love each and every one of you and want you to know that we take our shepherding responsibilities very seriously.

We are all are hearing about a number of changes that are taking place in our country, in our culture, in our community, within denominational groups and changes within our own brotherhood. What we are saying today is not intended in any way as judgment toward other congregations who are making changes in the way they are doing some things with regard to worship and teaching. That is not the point or intent of this talk.

We want to share with you our thoughts and beliefs with regard to a few of these things that seem to be changing within our brotherhood. They are:

The name of the Church
Singing - Accapella vs. Instrumental Accompaniment
Communion - what it is and how and why we observe it the way we do.
Baptism as it relates to God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.
Men and Women’s role in the Church and at home.
The way we make decisions as an eldership.
Handling Personal Conflict within the Body and “Lobby Meetings”

The name of the Church

Throughout time, it seems that mankind has always been restless and looking for ways to calm his restlessness. Usually this is done through some form of change. Change unto itself is not always bad. We have a change in seasons which is good, a woman will change her last name to honor her husband when she gets married, a person will change their way of life from one without Christ to one of having a Christ centered life and these are good kinds of changes with purpose and need. Today however, there is another form of change afoot in the Lord’s Church. That change is to take Christ’s name out of the name for the Church or to put it in such small print, that it can be easily overlooked.

Is there more than one Biblical way to refer to the Lord’s Church? I just did. The answer to this is YES! The Church is spoken of in several different terms in the New Testament.

Jesus refers to it as “MY Church”, Matthew 16:18. In Acts 8:1 it is called “The Church” or the “Called Out” from the Greek word Ecclesia. In I Corinthians 1:2 it is called the Church of God and in Romans 16:16 the Apostle Paul refers to various local Churches or congregations as “Churches of Christ” showing that they belong to Christ Jesus.

In Ephesians 4:12 it is referred to as the “Body of Christ”, in I Timothy 3:15 it is referred to as the “Church of the living God” and in Hebrews 12:23 it is referred to as the “Church of the First Born” again pointing to the anointed and crucified Savior as its head or owner.

As your elders, we are not ashamed of the name of Jesus and see no need to change the name that identifies our congregation as CHURCH OF CHRIST. We believe that the name is one that is acceptable to God. The name Church of Christ shows that the Church belongs to Jesus. Jesus gave his life on the cross so that we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life with him. What better way to honor Jesus than to include His name in the name of HIS Church.

Therefore, we will continue to honor Jesus by not removing His name from His Church. If name change is being promoted because of problems (perceived or real) either by or because of the way we as a body have conducted ourselves then let’s change US to be more in the likeness of Him so that he can be glorified through us His Church. AMEN

Singing - A Capella vs. Instrumental Accompaniment

We believe there is sufficient evidence in scripture with regard to how we should or can enter into praise to God through song in our worship assembly. We believe that acapella singing allows us to worship together as a body firmly within what is pleasing and acceptable to God.

Christians are to do all in the name of Christ. That is, by His authority (Colossians 3:17). There is no command authorizing the use of instruments in Christian worship, and there is no example of their use in Christian worship found in the New Testament. We want to worship God acceptably and to respect the silence of God’s Word in this matter.

What is commanded?

Ephesians 5:18-20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

After being beaten and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas prayed and sang together.

Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

I believe from this story that God too heard the songs of Paul and Silas just as he heard their prayers and delivered them and claimed the Philippian jailer and his household for his very own through their worship.

We believe that singing songs of praise to God is the pattern we find in the New Testament, and is acceptable to Him. It is the pattern of worship to God that we will shepherd and teach in this place.

Communion - what it is and how and why we observe it the way we do.

With respect to communion, from Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2, we believe the pattern of New Testament Christianity in God’s Word instructs us to gather every first day of the week, which for us is Sunday. In conjunction with this gathering, we believe there is to be a time set aside for remembering together the risen Christ and the forgiveness of sins promised in God’s Word.

In Matthew 26:26-28 Christ has commanded us to “…..eat of His body and ….drink of His blood” through the symbols of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. In this way, we commune with Jesus Christ and are reminded of His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and we are to do so until we can do this with him. Remembrance and anticipation are two things in this gathering and participation that call us to the feet of our Savior in thanksgiving and praise both now and forever. We believe that partaking of the memorial emblems as instituted by Christ on the night he was betrayed is to be done every Sunday when we gather together and is to be done in remembrance of him.

Baptism as it relates to God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.

We believe that scripture plainly teaches that baptism (emersion) is an action taken by faith. We believe and teach that baptism is an act of submission to God’s will and in response to the Good News (Gospel) story of Christ the risen Savior. We also believe that it is the point at which we somehow come into contact with the blood of Christ which cleanses us from our sins (we are forgiven) and we believe and teach that those who are baptized into Christ Jesus must rise to walk a new life in Jesus Christ.

Peter was as specific with the command as we could reasonably hope with regard to this teaching. When asked by those who participated either actively or passively in the crucifixion of Christ “What must we do to be saved?’ Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

We believe and teach that being baptized allows one to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We will continue to teach that baptism is one of the important things man must do in response to the Gospel of Christ in order to be added to the Kingdom of Christ - the Church

By biblical example in the book of Acts, the accounts of conversion or of those being added to the Church by God all either imply that baptism occurred or plainly state that baptism was a part of their conversion process. We teach that by biblical example baptism is done for one who is convicted of their own sin’s, recognizes that they are not in a right relationship with God, repents of sin in their life, confesses the name of Jesus as the Son of God and submits to the watery grave of baptism. These things imply that this person must be of sufficient age and maturity to do these things. We do not teach “inherent sin” nor do we teach or practice “infant baptism.” You will hear us teach what God has said about one being added to the Church in our Bible Classes and from our pulpit. Being added to the Church, will always refer to someone or people who have been baptized for the remission of sins.

Anyone can come here to our worship assembly and participate in our corporate worship to God. We will however, only name as members of the Lord’s Church in this congregation, those who have been baptized into Christ. We will teach that baptism can not be set apart from God’s plan for saving mankind.

The Role of Men and Women in the Church and at Home

Concerning the role of men and women, we have these things to say. We believe that God set out a pattern in the relationship between man and woman from the very beginning when he created Adam and Eve. We believe that God made man and woman different but equal and that he has clearly communicated roles for each and a relationship that he patterned in his relationship with his people in the Old Testament and in the Church today. God has clearly placed the responsibility for spiritual leadership with men with regard to the home and family as well as within the Church. This principle resonates through out the Bible and is emphasized by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11 and 14 as well as in I Timothy Chapter 2. We believe that men and men only are charged with the responsibility to serve in specific leadership roles within the church and are not to relinquish or subrogate that responsibility to women. We believe that women have the God ordained right to be led by men in worship. We believe that God expects these men to be respectable men who humbly submit themselves to Him. We believe that men are responsible for spiritual leadership in the home and that those women among us who do not have that leadership in the home should live Godly lives before their unbelieving husbands in order to lead them to God. We believe the scriptures plainly teach us that men are to serve under the authority of Christ; and women are to serve under the authority of their husbands. In regard to our life together in the Church women should serve under the male leadership of the Church. This in no way teaches that men are superior to women but they have been given different roles. We encourage the men of Woodland Oaks Church of Christ to assume their role in the home and take responsibility for the secular and spiritual leadership of their families as well as for leadership responsibilities in God’s Church family, in order to fulfill God’s will for you as a husband, father and Church leader.

Within this context, we believe that the woman’s role, in the Church, should in no way compromise or usurp the authority of male spiritual leadership within the worship assembly; bible classes or in congregational activities.

To clarify, we want to preserve the “traditional” role of women as we have known it. It is appropriate, and we encourage the women of our church family to take an active part in mixed class and group discussions under the direction of male leadership but not from a posture of leading the discussion. Of course, this does not apply to groups that consist wholly of women. If you are not sure that a role you are in is appropriate or you are asked to do something that you think violates these principles of men and women’s roles, please talk to us and please be thoughtful and careful with regard to these issues.

The burden of spiritual leadership has clearly been thrust on men and men can not subrogate those roles to women either by default or by intent. We believe that this would be a clear violation of God’s will for his people.

There may be various opinions, and even disagreement about the meaning of principles concerning many issues found in the Bible. These can be very emotional and divisive. We hope that your understanding of how we will shepherd this flock helps you understand how and why we take this position with regard to men’s and women’s roles.

The way we make decisions as an eldership.

We have talked today about a number of areas where your elders have chosen a path. It seems appropriate that we share the way that we make these decisions. If something is commanded, there is no decision and we follow the command. If the direction is not clear we look to scripture and prayerfully seek God’s guidance and second we look at what we know of the actions taken by the early church. There are probably many acceptable solutions to some of the questions we ask. We search for the answer that is MOST likely to be pleasing to God. If there is a solution that we understand to be CLEARLY acceptable to God and a solution that “MIGHT” be acceptable, we strive to pick the solution or path MOST LIKELY to be pleasing. The method is not meant to stifle innovation but to guide us in a way that serves God and produces the most unity through not arguing over “WHERE IS THE EDGE?”

Handling Personal Conflict and “LOBBY DISCUSSIONS”

Over the last year, we have had some classes and sermons on personal conflict. Jesus’ prayer was that the church would have the same unity that Jesus has with God, his father (John 17:20-21). If you have an issue with someone, we would request that you go to that person and discuss the concern. If someone comes to you and wants to discuss a problem they are having with someone other than you, we ask that you ask the person coming to you if they have talked with the other person. If you come to one of the elders and start to discuss a problem you are having with a person or a perceived violation of God‘s word, our first question will be “Have you talked with the other person”. Talking with someone other than that member of the conflict, concern or issue breeds disunity and creates an additional problem such as gossip. May we all strive for unity in God and learn to accept differences that are not important.

(Mathew 18:15 or Luke 17:3) As Elders of this congregation, we are very interested in issues that are bothering you. Often we are stopped in the lobby or between classes to discuss your concerns. This is not really an appropriate time or place to properly discuss important matters. In addition, we like to have at least two elders in these important discussions. Therefore, we want to encourage you to contact any of the elders and let us know that you would like to talk and the urgency of your need. If it is comfortable for you and time permits, we would ask you to come to one of our regular meetings on the first or third Wednesday night of each month after Bible class. If you are not comfortable coming to the meeting or time does not permit, we will establish a time and place that is convenient for you to meet with at least two of the elders. Please know that we want to listen to what is important to you and join with you in prayer and serious discussion and hopefully resolution with regard to what ever your conflict, concern or problem.

We love you. And we want for you the peace that comes from a firm understanding of who you are and who’s you are spiritually. You belong to Christ Jesus, crucified, risen Son of the true and living God of Creation. God wants for you to be at peace in your life with regard to your relationship to Him and to His Church. We believe that the things WE are teaching as a congregation and how WE handle ourselves with regard to relationships and roles and how WE conduct our worship to God is acceptable to God and we believe it with all our hearts.

May we forever be teachable but may we also be steadfast in our faith and in our sincere, intellectually honest approach to serving the true and living God with all our hearts, and all of our minds and all of our strength.

That is it. It is finished. We hope that these words are a comfort and encouragement to you.