The Book - Page 29

.........THE TIME LINE.........

What Happened This Week at Madison

February 2001

Most Madison Church of Christ members were oblivious to this article in the February "Plumbline Newsletter" which quotes the "Madison Marcher"

More Holy-roller Influence at Madison*

The third worship service at Madison is to be held at the same time as the 10:30 a.m. worship.
The "atmosphere will be more conducive to non-Christians."
"Many un-churched people are intimidated by a more formal atmosphere...."
The worship affair will be an effort, "...to make it easier for people with no church background to feel comfortable...."
"More time will be given to singing and communion... The sermons will not be as long as what we are used to."
"There is no question that God is working among our church family. He recognized our suppressed capacity to love."
Attendance for this first Sunday was 538 souls." Jim Hinkle said, "We will not be still, we will not be quiet."

In February of 2001 the Elders announced that a "third Contemporary" service that they had previously formed, was going to be melted into the 10:00 am or second service.

This announcement established a "contemporary service" at 10:00 AM and the 8:00 AM service remained unchanged.

While making this announcement, Elder Buck Dozier said the Fire Marshall’s office had said there were too many people in the third service for the size of the auditorium. Since Buck is the past Fire Chief, one has to wonder if this was just a staged excuse to proceed with what was already planned.

February 25, 2001
Tom Haddon is instructing his "Homebuilders" class on how to transition the church members over to the ways of the Saddleback Community Church, and that of "Holy Entertainment" He talks about the well laid plans that only a few know about. See the transcript of February 25th class. (page 54)

March 2001
Praise teams, hand clapping, and raised hands during prayer have been introduced at the second service.Children’s Sunday school has been changed from bible based to more entertainment and singing. Young women teaching Sunday school to baptized young men.

April 13, 2001
The Elders respond to a NewsChannel5 report about growing controversy at the Madison Church of Christ.
They send out a letter to 683 Churches of Christ in the Channel 5 viewing area.*
"The controversy seems to be over-reaction to change. The main things we have done in the 10:30 service are introduce more upbeat praise songs, give less time to the sermon, and give greater emphasis to the Lord's Supper.
This embraces a more contemporary format, of course, but we don't feel that it departs from scriptural worship."

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