"There is not a split in the membership at Madison Church of Christ! This whole problem was brought on by a small group of people within the church that have aligned themselves with outside influences within the community church movement."

WHAT DO THE VOTE COUNTS MEAN?

There will be those that will cry “unfair, biased, unscientific”, you had "hip and entertaining”, and it should have read “contemporary”! But the small group of people trying to initiate change won't show you any polls of their own. They wouldn't dare, because now you’ve been exposed to the truth about their mission.

Here is what else the small group of people trying to initiate change won't tell you. The term “scientific poll” refers to a survey of 1,000 people, for instance, with the desire to project how 50,000,000 people would vote on an issue or issues. It is imperative that the 1,000 people be “scientifically selected” for the poll to be accurate.

When a survey is sent to the “entire universe of possible respondents”, in this case 2500 households, the term “scientific poll” does not apply. The results are probably reflective of the whole group even if only a small percentage of them vote. Also, the fewer questions asked the easier the results are to recognize.

There was only one question with two possible answers in the poll sent out recently. Here is what I think the results mean:

The members voted overwhelmingly to return this vessel (The Madison Church of Christ) to a historical scripture based worship service. Only .... 6.... votes wanted to employ a "hip and entertaining" or “contemporary” worship format.

What should we say about the members that refused to vote? Does it show that they did not want to have a "hip and entertaining” format of worship? They may be the silent majority who usually want a “status quo”. Sure, some of the ones that didn't vote thought a new format could be something like a “contemporary format”, maybe a little more clapping, a choir, an organ, etc.” But, these are just stopover points on the itinerary; the intended final destination of this congregation’s format is "Hip and Entertaining", make no mistake about it. The folks just haven't been told where they are really going!

Cruising To Saddleback

This destination of this vessel (The Madison Church of Christ) is a " New Madison Church" aligned with Saddleback Community Church of California. These are outside influences working within our church. You've already heard these names tossed around. You have already been “salted” with them:

"The Church at Madison"
"The MADISON CHURCH".

You probably thought they were just leaving off the "Church of Christ" part to shorten the name as many people do when referring to any institution whatever it may be. What you haven't heard is that there is a purpose in leaving off the “Church of Christ” because the "New" church will be a community church". Not just a church in your community but a "Community Church" like ”Saddleback Community Church - the fastest growing church in America and one of the ten largest (12,000 attendance). Rick Warren is pastor.” And yes, it's “hip and entertaining” at the community churches. “The Saddleback Church”, where they "program music for a purpose”. (Their words, not mine)