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Christianity Today, June, 2008 |

Suing for Reconciliation

Struggling congregation alleges the denomination sold its sanctuary unlawfully.

Paul Asay | posted 5/12/2008 09:15AM

A small Chinese congregation in Colorado Springs is suing the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) for proceeds from the sale of its sanctuary—and, perhaps, for an explanation.

Chinese Alliance ...

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KM	Posted: May 22, 2008 11:26 AM

This is unfortunately a common practice in the C&MA, along with others. Most victims don't bring it to a lawsuit for the sake of the gospel, and the denomination knows this so they keep doing it. Just because they think it is legal doesn't make it right. Shame on the C&MA. Is money more important than souls? I guess a Karate store is better than a place of worship for them. I agree with Chuck D, "How sad."

Chuck D.

Posted: May 17, 2008 8:22 AM


I am very disappointed to hear this about the C&MA church. I am familiar with these procedures and "tactics" within the United Methodist Church in which I used to serve, but the C&MA.....how sad!

John	Posted: May 15, 2008 9:10 AM

Local church leadership needs to understand its responsibilities and the ecclesiastical structure under which it operates. No church is required to join a denomination, but once it does it agrees to the rules and to be under the authority of the leadership of that denomination. It is truly a tragedy for someone to file suit and force a good denomination like the C&MA to divert funds from ministries to lawyers. No organization is perfect, but if the congregants had put as much energy into growing their church as they are into humiliating the denomination, maybe it would not have come to this.

Pastor

Posted: May 14, 2008 8:15 PM


This is not gossip. This is the truth and it hurts. Several Christians and pastors have had their spiritual lives damaged because of property grabs by denominations like the C&MA. There is no comment because they want this to be forgotten and not brought to ligt. Thank you CT for telling the truth!

DanS	Posted: May 14, 2008 10:08 AM


What this article fails to mention is the fact that for several decades small organized religious groups have sometimes acted the role of marauding pirates. Without 'church assets', these groups seek to seize buildings and fixtures from the unsuspecting--typically elderly congregations. Hopefully, justice will prevail.

Steve Skeete

Posted: May 13, 2008 11:27 AM

people who give their word should keep it. That is both Christian and biblical. A struggling congregation, just like a struggling individual, should seek help. Had this small Chinese assembly sought early help from the parent body things might have gone differently. On the other hand parents should care for their children and not wait until a child gets into trouble and then abandon it. Which one of the above scenarios best suits this story we really do not know for sure. What we do know is that once a matter has gone to the law courts it has gone way too far. This kind of thing ought not to be ipart of the way the Church of Jesus Christ conducts its affairs.

Julie

Posted: May 13, 2008 9:50 AM

I am very disappointed in Christianity Today for publishing a story that essentially amounts to gossip. But this is not the first time CT has chosen to publicize conflict within the Body of Christ. Since the C&MA was probably unable to comment due to the pending lawsuit, it was unfair for Christianity Today to publish only one side of the story. I fail to see how printing articles such as this one serves any purpose in furthering God's Kingdom or in edifying His people. Shame on CT and Paul Asay!

Wendell Franklin Wentz

Posted: May 12, 2008 7:38 PM

Years ago Dr. W.T. Watson started Trinty Bible College in Florida, and he was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance. CMA would not give Watson permission to establish a Bible College in Florida, because they had the Mama Bible College in New York. He built it, and they kicked him out of the denomination. This Colorado event is nothing new for the CMA. Sometimes they act like the Catholic Pope, and they think they are infallable. It goes with evangelicals and fundamentalists -- they just have to be in control no matter what, no matter who, no matter where, no matter when, and no matter how. -Wendell Franklin Wentz

Jim D.

Posted: May 12, 2008 5:10 PM

I have a hard time understanding how a Christian demomination can justify taking something that was paid for by the congregants, but when you sign on the dotted line, you have entered into a legal and binding contract. It's really sad that we Christians can't just let our yes be yes and our no be no when dealing with other Christians, but we live in a world where even we Christians must be on our guard at all times even in our dealings with othe Christians.I would also like to add that in this case we only have one side of the story. Why did'nt the Church file an annual report with the state of Colo- rado in 2003, which caused them to lose their tax exempt status. I really would like to hear from the other side.

Brother Mo

Posted: May 12, 2008 3:50 PM


A great teacher once stated that the letter of the law destroys whilst the spirit of the law liberates. Expediency sometimes tries to camouflage injustice. May the leaders repent of this bullying tactic and walk in love as a new experiment. Hope this doesn't catch on as the new thing to do.

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