John Reese from World Bible School sent me the following note:

Someone passed on to me your website article responding to a partial quote from me in a newspaper. Having read your article, I realize that I personally owe you an apology in that some readers might have concluded that there would little or no evangelism emphasis this year. That is not the case, as the schedule itself shows. My word “shift” was supposed to denote a relative move, meaning that other topics and concerns are taking more of the spotlight than in the past. However insofar as I contributed to a wrong impression, please accept my apologies.

John Reese
World Bible School
Teaching the Word. Reaching the World!

Thanks John. I really appreciate your willingness to offer an apology and a clarification. May God continue to bless you and your organization!

The Chronicle has posted the interviews they did with some of us who are quoted in the article. My portion of the interview is below.

Can you tell many how many people attended the workshop last year (I understand typical attendance is 10,000-15,000)? Also, do you expect Sunset’s decision to affect attendance this year?

Over the past few years I think attendance has ranged from 6,000-8,000. I don?t have an exact count for last year. We are preparing for an overflow crowd this year.

I read your January 2 letter on the workshop Web site, so no need to repeat all that information. But … can you tell me why it’s important in your view to have the special tag-team sessions this year with keynote speakers from a cappella Churches of Christ and independent Christian Churches?

I see it as a symbolic gesture of acceptance and fellowship, similar to table fellowship practices in the 1st Century. To see a Jew and Gentile eating at the same table was a sign that God was on the move.

You mention that you’re especially looking forward to the Friday night keynote featuring Max Lucado and Bob Russell. You’ve got one minister whose congregation has taken “Church of Christ” out of its name and another from a “Christian Church.” What kind of message does that send?

I think it sends the message that the Garnett Church of Christ considers Max Lucado and the Oak Hills Church to still be a part of the Church of Christ network/fellowship.

Truitt Adair’s letter to Sunset supporters suggested that “In 2006 the Tulsa Workshop will shift away from a soul-winning emphasis to focus on the reconciliation of the Churches of Christ and Independent Christian Churches.” Is this an accurate statement?

I?ll let the workshop program speak for itself: http://www.tulsaworkshop.org/schedule/

Have any other institutions or display booth operators besides Sunset decided not to have a presence at the workshop this year? And, have any additional ones chosen to attend because of the emphasis?

Compared to last year, we?re slightly ahead of schedule for booth reservations. We?ve had a few past exhibitors opt not to reserve a booth this year. We?ve also had booths reserved by exhibitors who are new to the workshop.

Will instrumental music be used at any of the workshop events or services? Why or why not?

No. The workshop has traditionally been an a cappella event. We have no desire to see that change.

Besides instrumental music, do you see any other differences (doctrinally or otherwise) between Churches of Christ and Christian Churches? If so, what are they?

I?m actually struck more by the similarities between the two, rather than the differences. Having said that, I?m finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the growing diversity in doctrine and practice in Churches of Christ, much less Christian Churches. My guess is that only God with His bird?s eye view can accurately contrast the two.

Do you have any thoughts on the long-term outlook that the reconciliation events (Abilene Lectureship, Tulsa Workshop, North American Christian Convention, etc.) will mean for our fellowship in 2006? Will it result in bringing people together (i.e., Churches of Christ and Christian Churches)?

One of the outcomes I?m hoping for is that on a local level Churches of Christ and Christian Churches will be inspired to work together in missional ways. I don?t expect to see a bunch of mergers occur and I?m not encouraging it. But I do think it would be really cool if a Church of Christ and a Christian Church built a Habitat for Humanity house together or pooled their resources to help the poor in their community or worked together to do something about the AIDS crisis in Africa as a result of these events.

Or will it result in splitting Churches of Christ (i.e., conservative and progressive)?

I?m praying that my brothers and sisters in the Churches of Christ will remember that our movement began with a plea for unity and that what is happening in 2006 is an opportunity to restore something that has been sadly forgotten by too many in the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement.