Together again — decades after split
Catch up on the latest news from The Christian Chronicle.
IN THIS WEEK’S UPDATE, read Bobby Ross Jr.’s story from Pottstown, Pa., on two Churches of Christ that merged decades after splitting — the first in our “Reunited” series.
Also read about The Christian Chronicle’s honors from the annual Associated Church Press, Evangelical Press Association and Religion News Association conventions.
Together again — decades after split
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Editor-in-Chief
POTTSTOWN, PA. — A match made in heaven.
In God’s timing.
That’s how members and leaders alike characterize the merger of the Coventry Hills Church of Christ and the Chesmont Church of Christ.
After decades apart, the congregations — halfway between the high-rises of Philadelphia and the horse-drawn buggies of Amish country — have joined together to become the Cornerstone Church of Christ.
“It feels like the work of the Lord,” said Christine Ober, 36, wife of Caleb and mother of 8-month-old Mabel May.
The Obers were among the few young families at Coventry Hills, which averaged Sunday attendance of roughly 30. Chesmont, which met at a Christian school 6.5 miles away, drew about 110 men, women and children on a typical Lord’s Day.
“The members that were here at Coventry Hills were willing to come under the leadership at Chesmont,” said Josh Dove, who was one of three elders at Chesmont and now serves in that role for Cornerstone. “It just seemed like it was God leading us that way.”
The pieces fit.
Coventry Hills had a church building. Chesmont had a full-time preacher and elders. Both congregations had members eager to serve the Lord and reach the lost.
Together, members and leaders believe, the new intergenerational body offers a brighter future.
“When God’s people do God’s things in God’s ways, we let all the extra stuff go, and we can dwell in unity,” said minister Thomas Wise, pointing to the apostle Paul’s admonition in Philippians 2:3-4 to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” but “in humility value others above yourselves.”
Best in Class for 10th time: Christian Chronicle earns 28 national awards
From Staff Reports
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Christian Chronicle earned 28 national awards — including first place in eight categories — in annual journalism contests sponsored by the Associated Church Press, the Evangelical Press Association and the Religion News Association.
In the ACP’s “Best of the Church Press” competition, the Chronicle claimed the Best in Class honor as overall top newspaper for the 10th time.
The prize was presented at the faith-based journalist group’s recent convention in Toronto.
“Quite a selection of reading, all smoothly written with a consistent voice,” the ACP judge commented, praising the Oklahoma-based international newspaper for Churches of Christ.
In the EPA contest, the Chronicle’s overall excellence was honored in the categories for best print newspaper, best online news and best publication serving a specific group. EPA winners were recognized at the Christian professional organization’s national meeting in Franklin, Tenn., south of Nashville.
RNA’s Excellence in Religion Reporting Award recipients were announced during a banquet in Decatur, Ga., just outside Atlanta.
“We are extremely honored and humbled by these awards,” Chronicle President and CEO Erik Tryggestad and Editor-in-Chief Bobby Ross Jr. said in a joint statement. “They speak to the strong commitment of our board, staff and generous supporters to high-quality journalism serving our fellowship around the world.”
Read the rest of the story with a full list of winners.
