Moments in Disciples History: Alexander Campbell

It's Only A Token

If it were a Hollywood movie, the scene would be played out in slow-motion:

CUT TO: CLOSE UP OF YOUNG MAN IN ANGUISH

CUT TO: CLOSE UP OF RIGHT HAND HOLDING LITTLE SILVER TOKEN

CUT TO: EXTREME CLOSE UP OF TOKEN: SHOW IT FALL TO TABLE

It was a scene right out of tinsel town. But one that is very real in the memories of Disciples.

In 1807 Thomas Campbell had immigrated to America. He left his eldest son, Alexander, in charge of the rest of the family and all their belongings. Once Thomas was settled, the family was to follow the next year.

And that is just what they attempted to do. In 1808, Alexander, all the Campbell family, and all their 'stuff' boarded a ship bound for the land of freedom. The journey lasted only ten days before the ship, caught in a storm, ran into the rocky coast off Scotland and wrecked. Alexander fished his family, his books, and himself out of the cold salty water and made his way to shore.

But, what at first seemed like a set-back was another of God's blessings in disguise. Since winter was setting in, it was now impossible for the Campbells to make the trek to America. Instead, they spent about one year in Scotland where Alexander was able to continue his education (entering the University of Glasgow) and to continue his personal pilgrimage of faith.

He had been started well on his theological journey by tutelage from his father Thomas. Now, he had the opportunity to intensely study the scriptures and to inquire of the great minds of history, and the University, on exactly how to interpret what God intended for us to hear in the sacred pages.

Interestingly, 1809 proved a banner year for both Thomas and Alexander. Separated by an ocean, the two were knitted together in thought and revelation. Thomas would pen his "Declaration and Address," showing that Christ's Church is a unified whole and realize he was reaching the end of his walk with Presbyterians. Alexander, among other things, would discover that he, too, had come to the end of his journey among Presbyterians. And it was caught in living color by that slow motion Hollywood scene.

In those days, on Sundays when Presbyterians were to celebrate communion (for it was not an every Sunday event), each communicant was examined by an elder to make sure that he or she was sinless enough to receive the meal from Christ's table. Once the elder was satisfied, a little silver token was given that could be exchanged for the elements during the Lord's Supper.

On that Sunday in 1809, in Glasgow, 21 year old Alexander Campbell was absolutely sure that God did not require that little token. So, he came to the table, dropped the silver piece down, and turned and walked away. In that moment, he abandoned one faith journey in order to start another. The journey of a Disciple. It was a journey he remained on for the rest of his life. And a journey that we are on still.

By Glenn Thomas Carson
President, Disciples of Christ Historical Society
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More Assembly Videos

At the Wheeling First Christian Church website, you can see a 3-part posting of Rev. Gloria Hernandez's sermon from Thursday evening at the Regional Assembly.

In addition to the overview video (which you can also find on the regional website), video editor Tim Graves has included the "morning after" reflections of the 4 adult Wheeling First attendees.

Take a few minutes to see these clips, and stay tuned: Tim promises that more is on the way, and we are grateful!

Legacies - New Publication for Your Stewardship Planning

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is pleased to present the premiere issue of Legacies - a publication created in cooperation with the Christian Church Foundation to aid you in your stewardship planning.

The publication, which will be offered 3-4 times per year, was first offered at the Regional Assembly, and is now available online. Congregations may receive a high-quality master copy electronically to produce for their members, or may request copies to be provided by the region. Churches and individuals may contact the editor, David Chafin, for a copy to be delivered by U. S. Mail.

"We are pleased to be able to offer this helpful tool to our friends around the Region," Chafin said. "It will enable many of us to better provide for our families' future, and for the future of our congregations, the Regional Church, and those ministries and missions of the wider church which are near and dear to our hearts."

Click here to download a .pdf version (low quality) of Legacies, or contact Chafin or the Christian Church Foundation for more information.

Regional Assembly Videos Emerge

We're grateful to Tim Graves of the First Christian Church of Wheeling for the first of several assembly videos (and to Bill Chambers who also provided photos). Here's a peek at the first one on the church's website.

Check updates on site

If you click our "Events" button at left, you'll find a couple of new additions that are worth noting:

• The World Convention (Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ) is coming this summer, and a schedule has been posted.
• The flyer for the Congregational Transformation Event is up for your viewing there as well.

Please keep us posted of great things coming up that need to be shared around the region. We're grateful for you!

Congregational Transformation Event - November

Mark the date: Nov. 14-16, Disciples Home Missions will sponsor God's Positioning Spirit, a Congregational Transformation Conference in Philadelphia. Details will appear on our homepage soon, including a downloadable flyer.

Assembly Photos

Thanks to Bill Chambers of the Madison Avenue Church, we have some photos from the assembly ready for you to view on our Flickr page, which can be accessed from our homepage (bottom left panel), or by clicking here.

If you have more to share from your own collection, please email them to me (or loan them, if paper, and I will scan and return to you). We'd like to have a nice full collection!

Blessings!
David

Heartwarming Words from the Regional Minister

I am being warmed in the afterglow of our 120th regional assembly. I find myself being warmed by the grace of God. I am touched by the depth of love and faithfulness that I witness and know in our church. What gifts we have been given!

Our time together in Huntington has been wonderful, and I am struck by the unity and inherent diversity within our one body. At this assembly, there was something for everybody. Our minds were stretched, our hearts were encouraged, our comfortable places were confronted, and the music and preaching were top notch. There was something for everybody.

This reminds us clearly, that in our region, there is a place for everyone (for every body!) Our diversity adds greatly to the richness of our life. It adds to our unity. Be warmed in this.

Blessings and Christ’s Peace,

+ Thaddaeus