The changes that are occuring in the churches of Christ have prompted the questions: Is the church in transition? Are we experiencing a period in which we are enamored by innovation? Change, in itself, is neither good nor bad. It has to be viewed in context.

Basic doctrines must not change. On the other hand, changes in methods and matters of men's judgment may be beneficial. How should one proceed in deciding between good and bad changes? This book is an attempt to answer that question.

The handbook was written with each member of the church in mind, but especially the teacher, elder, deacon and preacher. The purpose of the book is to provide a rationale and a reaffirmation of some distinctive teachings of Jesus Christ and the inspired apostles.

Contents

	Preface - Howard Norton	ix
	Introduction - Jack P. Lewis	xiii
1.	The State of the Church Today Glover Shipp	1
2.	Hermeneutics, Culture and Scripture - F. Furman Kearley	20
3.	The Role of Women in the Assembly of the Church Nancy Ferguson	41
4.	What Kind of Music Does God Want? Milo Richard Hadwin	54
5.	Are You on God's Praise Team? Robert Oglesby, Sr.	68
6.	A Changing World, An Unchanging God Allan McNicol	84
7.	Church Growth: Nightmare or Dream? Don Vinzant	97
8.	Human Opinion vs. Divine Doctrine Howard Norton	115
9.	The Mystery of Baptism • A Personal Odyssey Prentice A. Meador, Jr.	126
10.	Gospel vs. Epistle, Jesus vs. the Church - A Misplaced Debate Michael R. Weed	143
11.	The Ministry of the Spirit Among Us Jimmy Jividen	152
12.	Boomergeist: The Spirit of the Age Jim Baird	163
13.	Is the Bible Inerrant? Edward P. Myers	177
14.	Trends in Church Leadership Flavil R. Yeakley, Jr.	185
15.	How to be Undenominational in a Denominational World Stafford North	199
16.	Who's In the Fellowship? Carl Mitchell	214
17.	Appendix	233