The Niagara Movement of the Churches of Christ

Thank you for coming here to learn more about my experiences with the Niagara Churches of Christ.

"Your Church is Killing You"

I had breakfast one March morning with the former minister of a Niagara region Church of Christ congregation. I asked him how a minister searches for work. "Do you, " I asked, "look for a church that is struggling so you can help bring it around (a physician going to the sick, as Jesus put it), or do you choose a church that is healthy and shares your core values (a democratic process, where attending is a vote in favour of what they believe)."

He didn't hesitate. "A minister knows that different churches are looking for different messages. You pick the church that's the best fit. If you pick a church were you're going to be at odds with everyone, it doesn't improve your chances of getting a good reference for your next job."

"But isn't that a waste of your opportunities?" I asked. Shouldn't you go to a sick church, a church where your wisdom is needed most? I've attended two churches in the past 15 years that have been seriously screwed up. I hoped that my example would change things: a few respectful words in the right places, demonstrating good leadership values in the things I volunteered for and so on."

The minister asked, "How's that working for you?"

I had to be honest. "It isn't."

"There you go."

"Either I get so frustrated with the wrongdoing that I'm distracted during the Sunday morning service, wondering how to fix things. Or, like all human beings, I arrive at a point in my life where I need those things that a broken church cannot provide and end up struggling not to lose myself."

A long-time Christian leader and friend of mine put it another way. "Ken, your [Niagara Movement] church is spiritually killing you. You've got to get out of there."

A Conversation at a Niagara Church of Christ

When I refer to the Church of Christ here, I am referring to what I call the "Niagara Movement". Many congregations in the Niagara Falls region have spiritual viewpoints that are at odds with many more mainstream Churches of Christ.

To give you an idea of the values held by these radical churches, let me record an actual conversation (as accurately as I can) that occurred after morning service on Sunday, April 29, 2007.

Elder's Wife: How are you today?

Ken (Hesitantly): Frustrated and depressed.

Elder's Wife: How so? It was a nice service.

Ken (Hesitating more): As you know, I wrote a letter to the elders about the problems in our church and how they're affecting me, my family and other families here at Tintern. Your elder husband approached me this morning to assure me that the letter I wrote "was all forgotten" as if he was forgiving me for some crime. Meanwhile, nothing has changed: my family--and our church--are still in crisis.

The first strange town I was ever in
The county was hangin' a man
Nobody cared if he lived or died
And I just didn't understand.
 
   -- "I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew", Tom T. Hall

Elder's Wife (Self-righteously): I know a little about you and your letter. You're one of those crazed wackos that lives a lonely, depressed life.

Ken: I've attended here for 10 years and you've never spoken to me before. How did you get your opinion of me? Did you talk to others who know me and work with me here at Tintern?

Elder's Wife (Smugly): I didn't need to. I could tell you weren't normal: I could read your body language. Sitting alone, looking tired and sad, not talking small-talk. I didn't need to reach out to you to know you were a sociopath, angry at the world, who didn't like other people.

Ken: If you felt that way about me, and you loved me, why didn't you have compassion on me? If I was a troubled stranger in your midst, why didn't you try to talk to me?

Elder's Wife (Dismissive): It's your responsibility to reach out for help. In the same way, any problems you have are your own fault. We have a good church and our elders don't make any mistakes--at least, not ones that affect my friends.

Ken (With deliberation): Perhaps it only appears that way because you are traveling in a different circle than others.

Elder's Wife: Maybe. But take a look at our worship service. More people are volunteering. It's better than ever!

Ken (Imploring): In my letter, I said that the shut-ins and sick were being neglected, that there's no youth training, that there have been lies and broken promises and politics. It's hurting my family and others. I don't think that this is a church where I want to raise a family or to invite people to learn about Jesus.

The second strange town I was in
They were laughing at a poor crippled man
Begging for nickels and dimes on the street
And I just didn't understand.
 
   -- "I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew", Tom T. Hall

Elder's Wife (Looking at Ken's hand for a wedding ring): You keep mentioning family. What family?

Ken: I thought most people here were familiar with my parents and siblings. I'm the family mediator because I am a Christian, but I'm also attacked by all of them because of my Christianity. I went six times in the past three years to the elders for help and they never helped me. My father threatened suicide and I had to go to another church for help when no one here would help me. This is not an isolated problem: I've spoken with a leader who left this church who had a similar experience. I discussed much of this in the letter I wrote.

Elder's Wife (Impatiently): Yes, yes. All those words. Twenty pages of personal testimony, eye witnesses, names, dates and events. Did you honestly expect the elders to read all that evidence against them? Seriously discuss it? They're too busy for that.

Ken: The Bible says that no allegations against leaders should be made without witnesses. I researched these things diligently, supplied witnesses. I carefully composed the letter over three weeks, verifying each statement, and spent 5 days fasting and praying for the church afterwards. Are you saying that I would have been taken more seriously if I didn't do these things?

Elder's Wife (Heated): Ha! It was all "attack, attack, attack!"

Ken (Calmly and deliberately): In what way was it an attack? It was written in a neutral, respectful tone, a summary of verified facts and testimony.

Elder's Wife: I'll tell you why. Sure, the sick and the shut-ins are neglected, there is no family counceling or community outreach. Everybody makes mistakes. Do you think you're better than everybody else, troubling the elders over such little things? You have a bad attitude.

Elder's Wife (Self-righteously): If you don't like it here, you can just leave and find yourself a different church with a different gospel.

Ken: I don't want to leave because I've developed a lot of friendships here and I care deeply for the welfare of the people at Tintern. But that is part of the problem. This is a social church, not a spiritual one. Why, after today's service I was remarking about the alcoholism in my family, and two deacons responded, "Alcoholism? Are there really people like that?" It was as if salvation was a word they didn't understand, or that they didn't think was valuable. Have we become so isolated and vain at Tintern that only rich and stable families are welcome? That the poor, the orphaned, the widows, the seeking are turned away?

The third strange town I was in
Was settled, peaceful and nice
The rich got richer and the poor got poorer
And to me it just didn't seem right.
 
   -- "I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew", Tom T. Hall

Elder's Wife: We don't want to be known as a church of the wealthy. The elders working on improving that by changing the Sunday service.

Ken (Sighing): While driving out the leaders who would actually make a difference, cutting the budget on these items and ignoring the work that isn't getting done. By calling those who call for truth and reforms "wackos". This is not about the service. Over the past 10 years, I've watched Tintern move further towards hypocrisy. I'm worried about everyone's welfare but the elders will give me no apology, defense or offer of reconciliation.

Elder's Wife (Uncertain): It sounds like you really care about the people here and have been trying to make peace. Although I told you to leave before, now I'm not so sure.

Ken: Be assured I've had many long talks with ministry staff, former elders, deacons--virtually everyone has an opinion on this and is willing to sit down and talk with me except the ones making the decisions. Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me.

Elder's Wife: Ken, you confuse me. But we can both love each other, right, because we both believe in the same God.

The woman hurries out of earshot.

Ken (Under his breath): If I've spent hundreds of hours and sacrificed my good reputation to save even the likes of you, then you may be right. I might be a wacko after all.

Perhaps I did need a different church with a different gospel.

Study Questions

This conversation was written down immediately after it occurred.

Let's take a closer look at this conversation.

1. How many sins did the elder's wife commit during this conversation? (I count at least 11.) How should an elder's wife conduct herself?

2. What happens when a church spends all its time on the Sunday morning "dog and pony show" (as a family member calls it) while neglecting other responsibilities?

3. In "The War Against the Family: A Parent Speaks Out", William Gairdner suggests that Canadians are reluctant to speak their opinions, especially against the establishment, because they don't want to be labeled as intolerant or troublemakers. That is, avoiding conflict or emotional pain of any kind have become Canadian values. Have Canadian churches incorporated these secular values?

4. Is it right to judge a stranger by his or her "body language"? Or is it being defensive, an effort to avoid a personal and honest conversation, or the Great Commission?

5. Is an elder responsible for his wife's actions? If an elder's wife shows wicked behaviour, how does that reflect on an elder's ability to stand up against evil?

6. Is the phrase "If you don't like it here, you can just leave and find yourself a different church with a different gospel" a self-righteous way of saying "Go to h*ll"? Should she be treated as if she said the second thing?

7. Small churches are usually set up and run by a small core of people. How does this clique mentality affect the church? When "our" church becomes "my" church? When "my" self-worth is dictated by the success of "my" church?

8. The Church of Christ movement began as "non-denominational"--that is, basic Christianity open to anyone from the community, no politics. Has the definition of "non-demoniational" changed over the years?

9. How does the conversation resemble the book of Job?

10. How does the conversation resemble trial of Jesus?

11. How accountable is a single member for the actions of his church? At what point can someone way, "I've done all that I can, all that God expects of me."

12. Do the elder's wife and I believe in the same God? What is her "god"? What are the things that she values?

Why Didn't You Ignore the Problems in Your Church?

Let me explain this in a story based on other conversations with people at Niagara Movement churches.

One day, George came to church and saw an exit sign, the kind used in case of a fire, wasn't lit. He decided to mention it to somebody. They explained that Alfred took care of the lights but he shouldn't mention it. "It's just going to cause trouble."

George spoke to Alfred about the burned out light. "I don't have time to fix it, and I don't answer to you," said Alfred. "You don't even come to church as often as I do."

George went to a deacon and asked if someone could help Alfred fix the exit sign. "Every church makes mistakes," lamented the deacon. "Why do you cause trouble pointing them out?"

George went to the minister and the minister said that he personally would see to the light. A week later, it was announced that the minister was fired because he didn't do enough work around the building.

George then went to the overseeing committee. Surely they would be concerned about people's well-being and assign someone to fix the light. "Can't you see we're doing more important things than fixing exit signs?" they asked. "You're slandering us, saying that we're not doing our job."

Then George went around the congregation, asking people what they thought about the fire policy. "Oh, we know all about that," many said, "but if we say anything, we'll get into trouble. You need to be more like us, George, and grumble powerlessly without going public."

The next week, a fire broke out at the church building. It turned out none of the fire safety issues had been seen to and many of the people in the building died. George surveyed the smoking ruin of the building with great sadness. A woman next to him remarked, "Everything happens for a reason. God must have wanted all those people to die."

George decided that it was worth causing even more trouble by looking a church with working fire signs.

What about that Congregational Memo?

The situation came to a head at Tintern with the terminiation of the minister. I investiated but got conflicting reports of the events. After the announcement of his termination, I circulated the following memo. Since it was circulated to the congregation, I think it's important for me to disclose the results and the memo here.

Ken O. Burtch                                   Saturday, January 20, 2007

Dear Tintern Family,

  I was away last Sunday and I missed an important announcement about our
minister, Mr. Holston.  I have been attempting to contact the people involved
to clarify things but I'd be grateful if anyone there could fill me in
privately on what happened from the congregational perspective.  What
precisely was the announcement? What were the reasons given? How would you
feel if the announcement was about you?  (That is, was it handled properly?)
  I've spoken with several people but there seems to be confusion and
disagreement.   Do you have any opinion or information on the following:
  When the second staff person was selected, the announcement made said that
"all applicants were contacted by the committee".  This was incorrect.
Likewise, a reliable source tells me that the announcement about Mr. Holston
may have contained mistakes and/or questionable statements.  Have there been
any apologies or corrections?
  Two reliable sources tell me that the announcement requested "more" from
Mr.  Holston. How do you interpret "more"?  Since  Mr. Walker was hired to
assist Mr. Holston, do you think that changing ministry staff for a second time
will solve this problem?  Or do you think the second staff person committee is
accountable and should address the congregation?
  Mr. Holston tells me that he received no reason for what happened, nor did
he receive any request to change his actions prior to the announcement.
Getting rid of someone without giving a reason and without warning is often
grounds for a lawsuit.  Do you think that incorporation will lead to more
announcements or decisions like this in the future?
  Mr. Holston tells me that the transition period is unusually short and he
may not be able to complete this year's commitments at the Great Lakes Bible
College.  The elders were aware of and approved of Mr. Holston's efforts at
the Bible College.  Was there any indication in the announcement as to how the
Tintern church will meet these obligations?
  Please feel free to contact me at [phone number] or by email at [snip]
(although my Internet is down this weekend due to a problem at the Internet
company) or write on the back of this memo and drop it in my box after the service.
  Thanks for your help clarifying what happened,

Ken Burtch

I received 7 responses, summarized as follows:

• 6 out of 7 approved of the memo
• 1 out of 7 disapproved of the memo

• 5 out of 7 were "shocked", "confused" or "uncertain" about the announcement
• 1 out of 7 were satisfied with the announcement
• 1 out of 7 expressed no opinion

• 2 out of 7 disapproved of the elders' work
• 1 out of 7 approved of the elders' work
• 2 out of 7 believed it was unethical to examine an elder's work
• 2 out of 7 expressed no opinion

• 5 out of 7 approved of the minister's work
• 2 out of 7 disapproved of the minister' work

• 3 out of 7 were unhappy with the elders' decision to remove the minister
• 1 out of 7 approved
• 3 out of 7 expressed no opinion

I tabulated the responses and included them in the letter I wrote to the Tintern eldership on Feburary 17, 2007 entitled "An Analysis of the Tintern Church of Christ Eldership". This 18-page letter contained an overview of 3 years of investigative work of the Tintern leadership. My comments on the results are also included there. This documenet can be made available on request to members of the Tintern congregation.

So Why Did You Leave?

My experiences are not an isolated case. Several up-and-coming leaders have left Niagara Movement churches to lead in other denominations. One Menonite-based congregation has a "Church of Christ row" in the auditorium full of disillusioned former members of Niagara Movement churches. Some of these people feel caught between worlds, unable to join a new church but unable to stand the corruption of their old churches.

A single man cannot fix everything. I attempted, for over fifteen years, to bring Niagara Churches of Christ "back to the Bible" respectfully and quietly, through writing, speaking, one-on-one conversation and taking leadership roles. But I was without success. But then reality sunk in when I asked, "Could I invited a friend to my church and feel proud of who they were?" The answer was, "no". These churches where inhibiting the Great Commission and my Christian values.

Last week, the church I was attending received a letter stating their church was a disgrace and the person would be attending elsewhere. There was no dialog, specific issues or positive steps in the letter. The response of the church? To call an emergency meeting. To interrupt the current sermon series. To organize a service aimed at helping the poor and disenfranchised. To forcably encourage people in the pews to get up and participate in programs such as helping the homeless and sponsoring children in third-world countries. I had never seen a Niagara Movement church rise to this kind of challenge.