If you’ve grown up in the churches of Christ you’ve probably heard, “Oh, aren’t you the ones that …” and you can fill in the blank with a lot of things. Most of the things I used to hear when people filled in the blanks were on the negative side and not always very nice.
So when the lady caught me at Walmart yesterday and said, “Oh, you go to the church of Christ? I’ve heard about you guys. Aren’t you the ones….” I cringed thinking the worst. I quickly finished her sentence in my head with about 10 things that I thought she might say. Then she finished her sentence. “Aren’t you the ones that are doing a lot of good things in the community to help people?”
WHAT? That was NOT what I expected. I’m sure my face showed some excitement as I had to force myself not to dance a little jig right there in the store (because you know… we don’t dance either (smile) ). Instead of hearing something negative I got something positive.
As I floated out of Walmart, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “The church of Christ … a church that helps others … I like that!” It made me think of Jesus, “and Jesus went around doing good…” (Acts 10:38) and that’s exactly the kind of church I want to be.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 21 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
What a great blessing! I’m so glad you shared that story, Trey. These days, it is so delightful to hear confirmation that Christians are perceived as the aroma of Christ, rather than smelling like…well, something less savory.
Thanks for the encouraging word. May we all be known for our love . . . wait I think Jesus actually said that!
Not only is that good for the Church, but it is a direct reflection of the leadership your are providing there in Childress.
Keep up the Good Work, brother!
Love it! Thanks for sharing and may we all strive to be lights in the community.
Absolutely amazing. You should have danced!!!!
Great work God is doing through the Childress church.
May stories like this become the norm and not the exception! Thanks for passing it along.
Roger & Scott – AMEN
David – You are 100% correct. As they say, "So goes the leadership, so goes the church."
Brian – I did dance … just a little.
LOVE IT!!! and you can hold your head up high because the positive things i hear about our church usually start with what an awesome preacher we have!!! it’s funny to hear friends who were raised in other churches here in town voice the fact that they would love to join our church but would be disowned by their parents and grandparents!!!
thanks for all you do for our church and more importantly for our Jesus!!!!
Trey,
Oh, that all of these conversations where we here that opening phrase would end the ways your did!
God is even working amongst us!
“Oh, you go to the church of Christ? I’ve heard about you guys. Aren’t you the ones that dance.”
Awesome testimony, why doesn’t the church always have such a good public image? Well it is full of sinners!
I’m a baptist but I still dance. :p
I needed that story today! Thanks for your leadership and most of all your example. You bring out the best in me! Love you and your family like you will never know!
always good to hear a positive word.
I was at the hospital visiting a staff member of our church in ICU. The chaplain asked if we had a “faith community.” We told her “Yes,” and then the name of our church. She said, “Oh, I know you guys. I went to Divorce Recovery there. You offered me hope and healing when my own church had nothing.”
That’s a cool thing about the Body of Christ…each of us has something to offer, individually and corporately. If we will…
What a blessing from that woman! How wonderful that she said that. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve heard about you too, Trey. Aren’t you the one that loves all people no matter what color, gender, handicap or church affiliation? You are such a blessing to our community!
I long the day when people say, “Oh, yeah. That’s the church where they really love one another.”
Sounds like you guys are on the right road.
That is huge my friend. That says something about your teaching and how the Holy Spirit is moving through your folks.
Living in Central Florida, we’re constantly having to “un-explain” ourselves to folks who have had bad experiences with CofC’s in the past and the too not distant past.
Like your church, our church is starting to be known as a place that serves. Our local police dept. are always bringing folks by that need help that they run across. Our Angel Food Ministry is also helping us with that image as well.
Very cool.
“It made me think of Jesus, ‘and Jesus went around doing good…’ (Acts 10:38) and that’s exactly the kind of church I want to be. “
If this is what you are after, you might want to read the ENTIRE verse…lol
The 7th Day’s and the Shriner’s do plenty of good things in the community, that doesn’t mean they are walking in the power that Jesus walked in that is described in this particular verse of Scripture.
Yay! I have been waiting to hear something like that for a long time.
That really is great. Our church’s slogan is “Transforming our community” – I hope people start to think that of our Church too!
Sweet! Thanks for sharing…I pray this Christ like attitude spreads
I agree with the woman from Wal Mart 100%! Your good works are seen around the community all of the time!
awesome! made me cry a little. lisa foreman
Awesome bro…I love the great stories in the comments as well.
You and your church are doing a great work.
I love it that you guys are giving us a new name….I hope it spreads all over the place (including my neck of the woods…and yes I am trying!)
Way to go Trey! What you are doing inspires us all!
Thanks for the kind words … but the whole church deserves the praise, not me. And God gets the glory.
Praise God! Thanks for sharing that story.
Oh, so awesome. That is what we want to hear. I pray that our children never hear what you thought you were going to hear, but only that the church of christ is known for it’s love of people and for joyfully telling people about Jesus. Amy
SWEET!!!
Very refreshing! Thanks for the encouraging post!
Praise God. Thanks for sharing. Now I’m singing, “And they’ll know we are christians by our love, by our love. . .”
amen!
Loved your deal at Walmart, as I was reading I just knew she was going to say something negative and I was cringing. It does say lots, about what Christianity is all about. It also says lots about your elders and a congregation that is willing to follow. I’ve been in churches where there was so much criticism that there was no time to do any work. Elders were too busy bing firemen and putting out fires they had no time to lead but then there were others ….. well, you know. gmj
Aaaah the COC has prevailed… glad to here that we’re making a good impression with the community. The “Cult of Christ” rules… (I am saying this with “tongue in cheek” using the “nicknames” that the teenagers call the Church of Christ members! LOL
Sorry Trey. I didn’t mean to suggest it was all you!
One advantage of living in eastern Iowa is no one has heard of the church of Christ. This is a great mission field up here, and it is not like it was when I preached in Texas. I agree sometimes we have presuppositions about what people will think and in actuality they might be blessing us! This should teach all us brethren to be careful not to pre-judge anyone…although hard not to do huh?
thanks for sharing Trey!
It doesn’t surprise me that the church you serve has that reputation.
Awesome! And gotta agree with David. CoC’s “reputation” often has a direct connection with its leadership. (That whole non-denominational things) Good leadership makes for a healthy church. A healthy church reflects Jesus. Way to go!
Doug… no worries my buddy. I knew what you meant. Can’t wait to you come through Childress and hang with me!
Just a note:
After Hurricane Katrina we heard the same thing over and over because of the wonderful hearts and great efforts of the 1000′s of our fellowship who came to the Mississippi gulf coast to help our communities. We are blessed with a great fellowship, warts and all.
By HIS Grace
Mark Hodges
Beautiful! What a wonderful testimony! God bless you abundantly and keep you all doing good, all the time!
Hey Trey,
I don't know if you remember me, but I went to school at WT and about 8 years or so ago I sang in a little quartet called Fidelity. We sang in Tulia (I still have a cassette we recorded at that concert somewhere) and I think you were the youth minister at the time. Anyway, I live in Tennessee and sing with Acappella now, and I wanted to say hi to you at the Workshop but never got a chance. We weren't in the same place at the same time. I have family there in Childress (anyone named Brannon, Mayfield Harris, Rhonda McDow & her kids, and my boy Johnny Dopp, to name a few).
I wanted to tell you that I'm kinda struggling with the whole CoC thing right now. I love the Church of Christ. I was born into it. My dad has been preaching it for 67+ years (no, that's not a typo…) but I, like you, have been fighting the whole label thing with churches of Christ. I hope and pray that we can start moving the Church further into the arms of Jesus and let the Spirit move us instead of resisting the Spirit's lead. Blessings to you and yours!
Fantastic! We should not have to change our name; we should change some of our behaviors and our image and our reputation as followers of Christ who show Him in our lives.
Wow! That’s powerful Trey. What a blessing to hear that. It let’s you know you guys are on the right track with the community. I love this refreshing news! Amen!!!!
Deny