J. Randal Matheny Churches

‘God ready for Mt Juliet to do big things:’ Church deals with loss of David Shannon

MT JULIET, Tenn. (BNC) — Preacher David Shannon will assume the presidency of Freed-Hardeman University in a few weeks, meaning the loss of his presence in the pulpit and life of the Mt Juliet congregation. After 18 years of David’s ministry and a growth from 500 to 1000 saints, the congregation must now deal with a big change.

Tim Martin, one of their ministers, wrote May 3 about the inevitable change that occurs in life, including that of a congregation. Continue reading “‘God ready for Mt Juliet to do big things:’ Church deals with loss of David Shannon” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Race relations then and now: Hugh Fulford recalls 1968 merger

GALLATIN, Tenn. (BNC) — Preacher Hugh Fulford recalled today the merger of two congregations in Clarksville, Tenn., one black, the other white, in 1968. He worked with the latter congregation. No news was published about the merger at the time of its occurrence. But it serves to dispel the accusation of widespread racism among Christians.

Hugh ended his recollections with an application for today. Continue reading “Race relations then and now: Hugh Fulford recalls 1968 merger” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
Roy Davison Churches, News

Online history of Quail Springs church

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – A history of the Quail Springs Church of Christ has been placed online at www.quailspringschurchofchrist.com by Roy Davison, long-time missionary to Belgium and publisher of the Old Paths Archive.

The history traces the changes that have occurred though the years since 1953, when the congregation began as a church of Christ and gradually became what is now referred to as a Progressive Church of Christ, using instruments of music and allowing women to speak in the assembly.

 

Roy Davison
Roy Davison devotes himself to the gospel in Belgium, as well as being a part-time translator. He is the creator of the Old Paths websites (http://oldpaths.com).
http://oldpaths.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Gatlinburg on fire, saints lose homes, church loses building

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (BNC) — The resort town of Gatlinburg in East Tennessee is burning, and much of the city may be lost. The city is under a mandatory evacuation order, as well as part of the neighboring city of Pigeon Forge. Continue reading “Gatlinburg on fire, saints lose homes, church loses building” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Minister finds reasons to praise God on first Sunday in new building

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (BNC) by Craig Evans — Today was an awesome day in the history and future of my church family, the church of Christ at Spring Hill. There were so many powerful things about today as we came together to praise God and to encourage one another to love and good works. There were so many thing that I praise God for: Continue reading “Minister finds reasons to praise God on first Sunday in new building” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Ark. church building trashed by vandals

PARAGOULD, Ark. (BNC) — The Newton Street church auditorium was trashed by vandals sometime between Wednesday night, Sept. 23 and today, gospel preacher Joshua Dement said on Facebook. Continue reading “Ark. church building trashed by vandals” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Church calls for joint prayer for U.S. Sep 16: ‘Christians must stand united’

SPARTA, Tenn. (BNC) — The West Sparta congregation has invited all Tennessee churches to participate in a special prayer for the U.S., Wednesday evening, Sept. 16. Continue reading “Church calls for joint prayer for U.S. Sep 16: ‘Christians must stand united’” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Northampton UK congregation embraces saints from 21 countries

 NORTHAMPTON, UK (BNC) — The body of Christ in this English city is “a great congregation that consists of Christians from 21 different countries,” elder Richard Sharpe reported in the Aug., 2015, issue of Christian Worker. Continue reading “Northampton UK congregation embraces saints from 21 countries” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Church booth features T-Rex skull model at county fairs

BRIGHTON, Ill. (BNC) by Patrick Harper — For several years, the congregation at Brighton has attended local and county fairs passing out bottled water, DVDs, magazines, books, and tracks in an endeavor to seek and save the lost. Continue reading “Church booth features T-Rex skull model at county fairs” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

‘We love homosexuals:’ Branson elders’ appeal generates interest

BRANSON, Mo. (BNC) — “We love homosexuals.” So begins a Facebook post by the elders of the Branson congregation which has generated hundreds of comments and over 3,000 shares. Continue reading “‘We love homosexuals:’ Branson elders’ appeal generates interest” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

TV news claims church with sign against homosexuality is controversial

GALLATIN, Tenn. (BNC) — The Nashville Road congregation posted a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 6.9 on their marquis: “People who practice homosexual acts will not inherit heaven 1 Cor 6:9.”

A local Nashville TV station, the ABC affiliate WKRN, says the sign was “controversial.” Continue reading “TV news claims church with sign against homosexuality is controversial” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Newspaper follows instrumental music story with restoration history

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (BNC) — The Daily News Journal followed up its story of the Stones River church’s decision to use instrumental music in worship with a flattering article on the first congregation in the city, East Main. Continue reading “Newspaper follows instrumental music story with restoration history” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Murfreesboro church adds instrument to worship, goes denominational

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (BNC) — The Stones River Church of Christ began an instrumental service, along with its a cappella service, March 29, according to the local newspaper DailyNewsJournal. Continue reading “Murfreesboro church adds instrument to worship, goes denominational” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Longview TX church building suffers severe storm damage

LONGVIEW, Tex. (BNC) — The building belonging to the Longview congregation suffered damage from a severe storm that hit the town Thursday, 9. Continue reading “Longview TX church building suffers severe storm damage” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Columbus, Georgia, church building burglarized

COLUMBUS, Ga. (BNC) — The Northside congregation’s building was broken into earlier this week causing $400 worth of damage to the structure and a loss of $2300 in equipment and appliances, according to the city newspaper. Continue reading “Columbus, Georgia, church building burglarized” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

‘The church meets here’. Brazil congregation understands what the church is

 RIBEIRÃO PRETO, Brazil (BNC) — “The church meets here.” Today on Facebook this picture appeared of a sign on the front of the building of a congregação in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo. The congregation understands that the church has no name, because it is unique, one body, Ep 4.4, and that denominating the church with a name turns it into a denomination. Continue reading “‘The church meets here’. Brazil congregation understands what the church is” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Tennessee church puts woman in pulpit, provokes reactions

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BNC) — The Wineskins YouTube channel published interviews with staff of the Fourth Avenue church Dec. 2 about a female preaching intern sharing the pulpit with minister Patrick Mead. The church is in the greater Nashville area. Continue reading “Tennessee church puts woman in pulpit, provokes reactions” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Fist fight between women interrupts church during Lord’s supper

BELÉM DO PARÁ, Brazil (BNC) by Nick Fowler — Something happened during the Lord’s Supper this morning that I imagine seldom happens to our brothers in the United States.

As we were passing out the bread, a loud and attention-getting commotion arose on the street in front of our meeting room. Dozens of people were crowding around and shouting right in front of our building. Continue reading “Fist fight between women interrupts church during Lord’s supper” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Fire set during church service investigated as arson and attempted murder

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (BNC) by Robert Alexandre — Last night here at College Avenue we met for our regular Wednesday evening service at 7 p.m. Around 7:25 p.m., my wife Susan was teaching her class and started to smell smoke. She went next door to make sure the other teacher wasn’t burning a candle.

When my wife saw the other teacher did not have a candle lit, she asked me to check my office while removing the kids from the area. I had her call another man back there. She checked the storage room, and it was on fire. She grabbed the fire extinguisher and handed it to the man who came to help. Continue reading “Fire set during church service investigated as arson and attempted murder” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com
J. Randal Matheny Churches

Church to lose building to eminent domain, seeks to proclaim gospel

KENT, Oh. (BNc) by David R. Kenney — Christians from various congregations often travel to sing together in special events. The Friday Night Sing on July 25, in Kent, Ohio, was an extra special occasion.

The church in Kent meets at the building located at 319 South DePeyster Street and is in jeopardy of losing their place of worship. Continue reading “Church to lose building to eminent domain, seeks to proclaim gospel” →

J. Randal Matheny
Randal and his wife Vicki have lived and worked in Brazil since Nov. 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. He likes to read novels in his back-porch hammock. http://randal.us
http://forthrightpress.com