Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: September 24, 2005
MACK LYON & THE EDMOND CHURCH OF
CHRIST (Part 2)
Ben Justice
The Edmond Church Solicits and Receives Funds From Liberal Churches
As was mentioned in last week’s article, the Edmond congregation oversees “In
Search of The Lord’s Way.” As we all realize, this extremely large work must be
funded. It is true that the Edmond congregation gladly receives funds from
anybody, even rank liberals. Brother Dennis Sargent (whom this congregation
supports in Pomeroy, OH) wrote the following: “Not too far from Pomeroy is the
congregation that serves to receive all the funds from area congregations who
wish to support the Search program. Never once have I seen any qualifying
statement, soliciting participation from only sound brethren and congregations.”
Brother Dennis also stated, “The receiving congregation for our area of the
country is itself liberal. The TV scrolls the names of numerous erring
congregations, mostly Moderate but some even Rank liberals, all of which send
monies to support SEARCH.” The Bible teaches that fellowship between
brethren consists of giving and receiving (Phil. 4:15), and since we are to have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11), how then can a
congregation solicit and receive funds from erring congregations? If it doesn’t
make any difference, then we could solicit and receive funds from any
denomination. If not, why not?
Mack Lyon’s Fellowship With Error
As was documented in last week’s article, Mack Lyon regularly fellowships
Oklahoma Christian University — an ultra liberal school. However, this is
certainly not all that has been documented by sound brethren. It has been
documented that Mack Lyon is erring with regard to the Christian Church. In
August 2004 Brother Darrell Broking wrote Mack an e-mail asking questions
concerning his teaching and practices regarding events which had recently
transpired with the Christian Church in Adairsville, GA. Brother Broking wrote
the following:
Brethren, I just received the latest issue of The Search Light and noticed that someone
who is unnamed, my guess is that it was Mack, went to Adairsville, GA whereat
viewers of Search from the Christian Church denomination came/are coming “to the
church of Christ.” My question is how did they/are they coming to the church of
Christ? Are they being baptized according to the Scriptures or are they simply
repenting of being in error?
Darrell questioned Brother Lyon as “. . . how one comes out of the Christian
Church denomination into the Lord’s church?”
Mack Lyon wrote an e-mail back to Darrell. Darrell then e-mailed Mack again
with further questions. Mack responded back. It was apparent after having
personally read this email exchange myself that Mack considers those in the
Christian Church as “erring brethren” who only need to repent of worshipping in
error. In other words, Mack does not believe they must be baptized. In this
email exchange it is obvious that Mack had led those Christian Church folk to
believe their “baptism” was scriptural and that they needed only to repent of
having worshipped in error. Too, the Northside brethren at Calhoun, GA know
very well what took place there at Adairsville. They in fact had some involvement
in trying to clear up the confusion that Mack caused.
Way back in 1999, Mack Lyon was exposed and marked in “Contending For The
Faith” for speaking alongside false teachers. One such false teacher was Steve
Flatt — the President of the ultra liberal David Lipscomb University. Steve Flatt
has spoken alongside Rubel Shelly and other rank liberals at the now defunct
“Nashville Jubilee.”
It is documented that Mack spoke at the Lipscomb lectures, commending them
for their “strong stand” and “contributions to the Lord’s cause.”
Mack Lyon’s Exchanges
There are been several letter exchanges between brethren and Mack Lyon.
Several brethren have written him asking him questions. In reading Mack’s
replies, it is quite apparent that Mack takes great offense in anyone questioning
him. He will promptly rebuke you and give you a good slap on the hand.
One brother stated that Mack’s reply to his letter was “very angry and
inconsistent with his ‘public’ persona.”
On September 3, 2003, Brother Ken Chumbley, local evangelist for the Belvedere
congregation in Belvedere, SC, wrote Mack asking him some very important and
pertinent questions. Brother Chumbley asked about the introduction to the
Search TV program. In the introduction, one will notice that there is a
statement that says, “The Bible is a revelation of God’s way.” As brother
Chumbley aptly pointed out, “That statement is erroneous. The Bible is not “a”
revelation of God’s way, but “the” revelation of His way.” Brother Chumbley also
asked Mack several questions about fellowship. For example:
“Does the Edmond church support the stand of the Christian Chronicle? Also, does
Bailey McBride, the current editor, have his membership at the Edmond church? Does
the Edmond church have fellowship with the church at Quail Springs that is known for
its fellowship with denominationalism and has been featured prominently in the
Christian Chronicle? Have the elders of the Edmond church spoken out against this
false teaching of the Quail Springs church? Further, what association or fellowship
does the Edmond church have with those involved with Oklahoma Christian
University?”
Brother Chumbley also asked these same questions directly to Mack. Brother
Chumbley asked legitimate questions. If the Edmond congregation (and Mack)
wants congregations and brethren to support “In Search of the Lord’s Way,” then
they owe it to the brotherhood to answer these questions.
Mack Lyon did write Brother Chumbley back. Here is the crowning jewel of Mack’
s reply to Brother Chumbley. Mack let it be known that he did not want what he
had written to be publicized. The Belvedere congregation was supporting “In
Search of the Lord’s Way,” but after having read Mack’s response and noting that
the tone of letter was combative and that he out right avoided answering their
questions, they promptly ceased their support of this work. However, Brother
Chumbley wrote a response back to Mack. Brother Chumbley rightly asked Mack,
“Why would you not want brethren to know what you have written? Might it offend
some of your friends and supporters? Could such damage your ability to raise funds
because of the nature of the matters discussed?”
I believe Brother Chumbley hit the nail on the head!
The above examples are just a few of the many angry replies of Mack to other
brethren. This is typical, though, of the “loving” liberal.
It is unfortunate that congregations continue to support “In Search of The Lord’s
Way” with Mack Lyon and the Edmond church of Christ. It may be true that
many are not aware of their errors and compromises. However, when an
eldership (leadership) of a congregation is not aware of these things, then shame
on them! They ought to be! They ought to take the time to thoroughly
investigate works before deciding to support them. But, many have the attitude
that “the end justifies the means.” Many look at Mack’s work as getting the
truth out to the world, and so, it is worthy of support, no matter what
compromises are present. Brethren, this is the devil’s doctrine, yet many
brethren have swallowed this lie hook, line, and sinker. I will admit that I have
never heard Mack preach any error, but this is not the issue. The issue is
fellowship! Fellowship is truly one of the biggest issues facing the Lord’s church
today.
Let me personally say that I have absolutely no ill will against Mack Lyon. This
isn’t about personalities; it’s about truth! It is my firm conviction, based upon
the evidence, that Mack Lyon or the Edmond church of Christ should in no way
be supported by sound brethren!