LEARNING FROM BOSTON

THOUGHTS ON RENEWAL, REVIVAL,
AND EVANGELISM
Learning from the Boston Movement
Rhoderick D. Ice

[”1210” was a Church of Christ in Ithaca, NY, made up of townspeople and students. I was the Preacher for them in 1980. The Boston Movement as it was at that time, had a potential to do amazing things and they were quite successful. They were baptizing lots of people and keeping them. We heard of some who drove two hours one way just to worship with the Boston Church. This was a report I wrote to give to the "1210" Church about my experiences. Note that objections which some have raised should not cloud our vision of what was then taking place in 1980.]


In 1980 the "1210" Church of Christ in Ithaca, NY, sent me to the New England Evangelism Forum held by the Lexington Church of Christ, that year at a location in Arlington, Mass. We had heard that great things were happening and that the Church of Christ was growing in Metropolitan Boston, of all places. I was part of a group from "Upstate" New York. We were going there to observe and to learn. It is certainly right to learn, and we want to always do the best job we can do for the Lord. Note this article deals with what I saw and experienced in 1980. I believe it has implications for our body life and mission today. I wrote this to pass out to the “1210” congregation.

As part of my experience, I stayed overnight with a group of college students [I was 51 at the time]. We occupied every inch of space in the house. It was a mountaintop experience. The Forum was filled with renewal and revival. The singing was enthusiastic and the "spirit" [Spirit!] was like the Book of Acts. Great things were happening!!! We felt privileged to be there.

When I returned home, I composed this report to the church about what I had seen and experienced. To illustrate and support my conclusions, I drew on some things Ben Merold had written in the Standard and some things from other papers. Although this may now be ancient history, the message is certainly relevant today. I have revised my language slightly and made use of the new CEV "Basic English" Version.

History of the Lexington Church of Christ in 1980. Late in 1978 they were ready to give up and disband. They were a "southern church" in the North. In desperation they determined to make one last effort. The Church called Kip McKean to become the "evangelist." One or two families left at this point, objecting to change. With what is now called a discipling ministry, they grew - in just over a year - from 40 to 210 in attendance; contribution from $250/wk to $2300/wk. 145 people were baptized: 60% students, 40% non-students. At that time, 90% of those baptized were assimilated into the congregation and remained faithful.


Evangelism-Worship-Edification-Benevolence. A “Package Deal.” One cannot separate them successfully.

Ben Merold, Fullerton, CA, wrote: "THE CHURCH SERVICE - there is a sense in which personal evangelism starts right here. No church seems to be successful in organizing personal evangelism or promoting spontaneous 'witnessing' if it does not have the kind of service that would make people want to bring others. Often the question is asked: 'How do you get a personal evangelism program started?' My answer is: 'Get rid of your dead [moribund] church services.' I give that answer truthfully because I really believe that personal evangelism and church services are interdependent. If the services are dead and dry it will be difficult to motivate people to visit for personal evangelism. On the other hand, it will be difficult to have excitement and a feeling of accomplishment in the services if there is no personal evangelism that leads new people to the services and to Christ."

Worship and Empathy at the Forum. The singing at the Forum was powerful, resoundingly positive in tone, moving, uplifting. Compare cheer-leading at a football game. It generated a holy excitement among the participants. But it was much more: we were praising God with all our hearts! It was our intention to call upon all His mighty power in order to do His work!!!

Ben Merold wrote: "The effective preacher today is preaching through a book in the Bible and applying it to people's needs. Where this kind of preaching is found we also find people carrying their Bibles, using them, and showing great interest in getting answers from the Scriptures. Biblical preaching is a must for a warm, meaningful church service.. .More variety is being introduced into our services. I am not saying that all change is good, but I do believe change and variety would be welcome in most of our churches and would motivate our people to tell others. Well-planned services sparkle with variety. New approaches to a prayer period may be in evidence, visual aids may be used in the service, more variety in songs and singing, changes made in the way the gospel invitation is presented, and the Lord's Supper is being observed in a variety of ways that emphasize its meaning. This is as it should be!" [And of course these things are to be done in "Scriptural ways." Some things must stay the same. Some are a matter of "style" and may be adapted to the congregation. Note that our blackboards and overhead projectors are visual aids.]

Personal Evangelism at Lexington. Answers found in one setting may also be the answers in another setting Scripture tells us what to do - experience tells how it might possibly be done. Note how Paul explained his methods in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. While preserving the unchangeable Gospel, Paul adapted style and methods to the people he worked among.

Ben Merold wrote: "Dr. Flavil Yeakley, Jr., in 'Why Churches Grow' explores evangelistic tools. Surprisingly enough, sermons were rated as being more personal than any other method of evangelism with the exception of a personal call where evangelism is carried out in a conversational setting. Dr. Yeakley concludes that one person coming as a concerned friend, is more productive for the kingdom than the use of sophisticated tools for calling and 'witnessing.' Such a conversational approach does not leave out the Scripture, for evangelism cannot be separated from the Word of God. The plan of salvation must be presented from the Bible - not just referring to it. MORE AND MORE I SEE PERSONAL EVANGELISM TAKING THE FORM OF A FRIENDLY NON-MANIPULATIVE DISCUSSION OF THE BIBLICAL TEACHING OF CHRIST, HIS SALVATION, AND THE CHURCH. This, of course, highlights the need for constant training in the use of the Scriptures in evangelism. This kind of training is starting to take place in many of our churches."


Some explanation:

1) Evangelistic Bible Studies. These are an open, friendly discussion of the Bible in non-manipulative dialog, which sincerely studies together with the other person(s) from the Bible itself. These are set up by everyone who is willing to take a part, on a spontaneous basis. [Experience in our own area led us to conclude that a regular informal Bible study, always in the same location, was the most satisfactory. This worked with adults and senior citizens as well as students.]

2) Building credibility. A secondary result of these Bible Studies is to build credibility in the minds of those who participate in them. We were also able to restore a few non-attenders. Lots of religious groups come to knock on our doors. We are seldom inclined to listen to them. Of course we always remember that it is CHRIST JESUS whom we are to elevate.

Discipleship And Shepherding: Ben Merold wrote: "Our church leaders have always been more involved in organization than in ministry. However I see a trend the other way. More and more men and women are involved in and concerned about shepherding and discipleship. There is a willingness to teach and work with the person who has a life problem or who voices non-Christian beliefs. The person who is different is looked upon more as an opportunity for ministry than as a threat. More people are willing to get involved in ministry to others, but many preachers and leaders still view these concerned brethren with suspicion. Too many of us in leadership positions have taught the priesthood of believers and then felt threatened by anyone who tried to follow our teaching. But I sense a greater willingness to train people to minister and then to allow them to do so."

1) Discipleship: Creating people who are committed to actually following the teachings of Jesus. Jordan restates the Great Commission: "As you travel then, make students of all races and initiate them into the family of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to live by all that I outlined for you. And you know, I am right there with you..." Bible Studies are slanted toward motivating people to take this commitment upon themselves. Repentance ["reshape your lives"] is an attitude which produces commitment and thus discipleship. We are STUDENTS of Jesus Christ.

2) Shepherding: The family (of believers) creating close ties between those who are members of the Family, watching over its "children" to help them to grow and to solve their own problems. A 'buddy-system" pairs Christians in such a way that new converts are quickly integrated and assimilated into the fellowship of the Church. This is like an older child being told to watch out for the younger child.

Holiness is not impossible! "That's why the Scriptures say, 'I am the Holy God, and you must be holy too" [1 Peter 1:16 CEV]. We have God's help. We should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. We choose Whom we may serve. The Bible principle is: "My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself" [Galatians 6:1 CEV]. Also: "Don't consider them your enemies, but speak kindly to them as you would to any other follower" [2 Thessalonians 3:15 CEV].

A quotation from John Bertolucci speaks to this. "We hear God call us beyond the honeymoon and the good feelings. He tells us to make decisions, to repent, to change our lives and become holy. He tells us that He has poured out His Holy Spirit so that He may have a people who look like His people. When we hear this word and take it seriously, we could get discouraged. Because once we get serious about growing in holiness, we find out what bad shape we are in. We discover the patterns of worldly behavior that we have all absorbed, even if unconsciously - the prejudice, racism, narrow-mindedness, the sin. And we think, 'How can I change all this? How can I become holy? Oh, this is a hard word!' There are many instructions in the Scripture about how to grow holy. Almost all are simple. So let's not complicate the call to holiness. You don't have to go to Uganda; you don't have to be pushed up against the wall by Communists. You can start growing holy right where you are today. You don't even have to step out of your house - you may have some screaming little ones right there you have to love. There may be someone just down the hall, or right next door, or maybe sitting in the same room with you - that you have to love. That's where holiness begins. How about hospitality to those who belong to a different race, or who aren't so easy to get along with, or who are lonely and forgotten? Are you so busy growing holy that you never reach out to others??? That's why some individuals and some groups never get anywhere. The holiest thing you might do is not criticize and put one another down. There is nothing more exciting in life, there's no greater adventure, than to grow in holiness, to draw near to our God, the consuming fire!"

God's Great Gift of Life!!! "Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast sure love for David." [Isaiah 55:1-3 NRSV].

"It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.' The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. ..The one who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" [Revelation 22:16-20 NRSV].