Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 28, 2005
MACK LYON & THE EDMOND CHURCH OF CHRIST (Part 1)
Ben Justice
I want to be in fellowship with all who are in fellowship with God. I never want
to be in fellowship with those who are not in fellowship with God. The Bible
issues this command: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them”
(Rom. 16:17). And, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove (lit. expose) them” (Eph. 5:11). Exposing error is never personal
but purely doctrinal.
On the former “Let Us Reason List” (a discussion forum over the Internet), on
March 15, 2005, one brother asks,
Brethren, I am in need of some help. In the past few weeks, I have been involved in
many conversations concerning Mack Lyon and the “In search of the Lord’s way” TV
program. In the past few days, I have sent an e-mail to the program to ask some
questions and have received no reply. Can anyone give me some information concerning
what is going on with Mack, the TV program and the congregation supporting the effort?
Many are aware of the fact that Mack Lyon airs every Sunday. His program is
called “In Search of The Lord’s Way.” The Edmond Church of Christ, located
in Edmond, OK, overseers this work. Without a doubt, the Edmond congregation
is unsound. The evidence is simply overwhelming. An investigation into their
website revealed very quickly that they are not worthy of fellowship from sound
brethren and congregations. And, if the congregation is unsound, then what
does this say about the work they oversee — “In Search of The Lord’s Way?”
And, what does it say about Mack Lyon? If the congregation is unsound, then
the work is also unsound. Note the following things from their website:
Their Close Ties With Oklahoma Christian University
Only those who have their head buried in the sand don’t know about the
liberalism that currently plagues OCU. Either that or they simply have not been
informed. OCU continually have false teachers to speak there. One good
brother, who preaches in Elk City, OK, has thoroughly documented the false
teachers and teaching that have come out of OCU. He documents that they used
Dan Bouchelle (preacher at the Central church in Amarillo, TX) as a
lectureship speaker in 2005. He has bragged about his fellowship with
denominations. He documents that Glenn Pemberton, a professor at OCU
asserts that the book of Jonah is a “myth.” Another teacher by the name of
Curt Nicum endorses the TNIV (Today’s New International Version).
For years, “In Search of The Lord’s Way” has had a luncheon held on the
campus of OCU. This year, they changed from a luncheon to an evening dinner
so that more folks could be there. Of course, Mack spoke at the dinner. In
2004, Mack cancelled their annual luncheon during the OCU lectureship. He did
this because of the protests coming from a large number of preachers over the
use of false teachers they were having to speak. According to this same brother
mentioned above, “Mack’s rationale was that last year’s lectureship was
‘divisive.’ Notice, he didn’t object to a specific speaker or any speaker’s error.”
Mack agreed to jump back in bed with the liberals at the 2005 dinner. He
assured everyone that he was going to say some things that needed to be said
Mack’s speech at the dinner was entitled “Truth Is Fallen In The Streets.” I
have the transcript and have read his speech. The speech was a good one in
that it addressed post-modernism and the moral decline of America. However,
Mack touched neither top, side, nor bottom of any of the compromisers and false
teachings occurring at OCU. The same brother mentioned above went to the
speech and personally heard what Mack had to say. He noted that “Mack was
silent as a tomb about any false teaching at OC . . .” The fact is, Mack won’t say
a word about these things, because the Edmond church is so closely allied with
OCU. In fact, Glover Shipp is one of the elders at the Edmond congregation.
Shipp was the former editor of the “Christian Chronicle” (a paper put out by
OCU), which has long been a mouthpiece for every liberal and false teacher in
the church.
At the Edmond congregation, they have a big children’s ministry program. One
thing that is a part of the children’s ministry is “Camp Impact.” Their website
reports, “Oklahoma Christian University is the site of this great week of camp for
children that have completed 3rd-6th grades.” (emphasis mine).
Children’s Ministry
I wish to elaborate further concerning Edmond’s “Children’s Ministry.” They
have “Children’s Bible Hour,” otherwise known as “Children’s Church.” Their
website states the following:
One of the highlights of our Children’s Ministry is Children’s Bible Hour. Children
ages 3 years old through 2nd grade enjoy this exciting worship time designed just for
them.
Lively singing helps children learn more about God’s love and his work in our world;
Puppet friends teach valuable lessons from God’s Word; children have opportunities
to serve by bringing pennies for the penny jar and food for the Hungry Hippo.
Children’s Bible Hour is offered each Sunday during the second worship
service and the evening service. (emphasis mine).
Concerning Edmond’s Vacation Bible School, their website states:
We are proud to offer one of the most unique and exiting Vacation Bible Schools
around. Children from 3 years old to 5th grade are the focus of our whole church
family each year at this time. Nightly drama presentations teach the selected Bible
story. (emphasis mine).
The above reveals that the Edmond congregation has no problem with puppets
and drama presentations. These things are nowhere authorized in the New
Testament.
The Edmond congregation also has another program for their young people called
“Leadership Training for Christ,” or LTC for short. Their website states,
LTC . . . is aimed at developing Christian leadership skills in young people. Our teens
spend several weeks in preparation for various events like Bible Quiz, Puppets,
Chorus, Drama, Art, Bible Reading, Song Leading, and Sermon Delivery. On Easter
weekend, we travel to Tulsa for the big LTC Convention. (emphasis mine).
Immorality At The Edmond Church
I saw an appalling thing on Edmond’s website. There is a picture of seven
people. There are four men and three women. Three of the four men have no
shirt on and one woman has a bikini top on. Get this: They named this page of
their website “sexycampers.” This is beyond despicable. These people look no
better than the world, in fact, they are no better than the world. Appalling
indeed!
The Use of Non-Christians
The Edmond church is “ministry oriented.” They have “ministry that” and
“minister this.” As noted above, they have “Children’s Ministry.” They also
have “Campus Ministry,” and “Family Life Ministry.” On their “Ministry
Highlights” page of their website, it is noted that they use “Financial Peace
University.” Nationally known financial counselor Dave Ramsey teaches a
course on finances. I personally have listened to Dave Ramsey for many years
on the radio and his material is absolutely excellent. He has written some
excellent books that I encourage everyone to read. However, he has absolutely
no place in the Lord’s church for he is not even a Christian. He belongs to a
denominational church in Nashville, TN. I have heard many times from Dave
Ramsey on the radio teaching that Christians have an obligation to “tithe” and
many other false doctrines. Why in the world would a congregation of the Lord’s
church use non-Christian, denominational people to teach for them?
May I ask at this point, “How can a congregation support ‘In Search of the Lord’s
Way,’ even though the overseeing congregation is liberal?” To support one is to
support the other.
[THERE WILL BE MORE NEXT WEEK]