By David Phillips

Recently, a gospel preacher’s popular blog site featured an article under this title: WHY WE NEED TO STOP TELLING PEOPLE THEY’RE COMMANDED TO GIVE. That’s surely an attention-grabber. However, two separate members of our congregation have come to me, asking my thoughts on the article. After talking with them, it was apparent that they were left with an impression from the article that made them a little bit uncomfortable. After reading the article, I too was left with the impression that the writer wanted me to conclude that there is no New Testament command to give, and that if one doesn’t want to give, it’s okay. Let me quickly say that I believe that if the question were put to that writer in this very simple and direct way, he would likely say, “No, it’s not okay not to give.” At least I hope that would be his position, because I believe the New Testament makes it clear that generous and sacrificial giving is an essential part of the Christian life, without which we cannot go to heaven.

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By David Phillips (Adapted from Tyler King’s article in Daily Bread, October 17, 2019)

Very likely, many of us have never considered all the little parts and pieces that have to come together in order for one of our worship services to happen. But by the time you walk in the door and grab your bulletin from the table, shake a hand or two and find your favorite seat, many hours of effort, by several different people have already been in motion. They’ve been planning, preparing and providing for the efforts needed in order for the entire group of worshipers to be properly equipped and taught and led through what many of us consider to be the most important thing we do regularly. Worshipping God sets the tone for the week, and it shouldn’t be done haphazardly.

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By David Phillips

This congregation had its beginning in Montgomery in the early 1930’s as a result of mission efforts by the Highland Avenue church of Christ. The Highland Gardens community at that time consisted of about 120 homes, and as the church began meeting in various homes in the community, several gospel meetings were held in the neighborhood in tents. On January 1, 1932, construction began on a small, wood frame church building on the corner of Miller and Wilena Streets. By the end of that first day, the building was sufficiently complete to allow the congregation to meet in it. With walls and a roof in place, windows and doors were hung, and a coal heater kept the structure tolerably warm. With rough boards atop concrete blocks for pews, the church met for its first worship service in the “new” building that night. Within a few weeks, 120 chairs were purchased at a cost of one dollar each to replace the crude “benches”.

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By David Phillips

There is a proliferation of religious bodies, churches, all around us today, and the conventional wisdom is that pretty much any of them would like to have you as a member. It is also a fact that many sincere religious people operate on the premise that it really doesn’t matter which church one belongs to, so long as it is under the general umbrella of “Christendom”.
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