FOR THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN ITALY

YET, IT STILL MOVES

(Editorial)

After being forced to "abjure" before Saint Uffizio his theories which tated that the earth rotates around the sun and not viceversa, Galileo Galilei, not tamed in his conscience or spirit, exclaimed, "Yet, it still moves!" Thus, he intended to confirm his theories even at the risk of being ex-communicated. Movement is the basis of life and no human law can stop the eternal flow of time. From birth to death, man grows, develops, and produces. Only at the end does all stop. Also in the Bible everything is in motion. The history of the people of God is an "animated" history. "Noah walked with God" (Gen. 6:8). From the exodus of Egypt to the Promised land, there is a succession of journeys, of travels, of errors too. We always see a dynamic. Finally conquering the Promised Land, the Hebrews stopped after a long pilgrimage. Then began the problems: apostacy, treachery, turning to other gods. Jesus' ministry took place as He walked the dusty roads of Palestine. For three years He intently traveled around announcing the kingdom of God. The first Christians walked to proclaim the message of the Master. Even though painful, the first persecutions and the dispersions which followed were events for the further spread of "the Word" (Acts 8:4). Also today a church that desires to be faithful can not help but "walk", to be active and to announce the Word of God even among a thousand difficulties. We are not allowed to stop, turn around and go back, or fix ourselves within the church's walls. The churches which do these things are destined to die. It is hard to admit it, but history, even our history, confirms it. The Word of God has made its way through 42 generations of men and women and our responsibility as Christians is to continue to carry forward the message. As in the past, so in the present! Our Master's words resound against the satanic temptation of immobility: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... and teaching them ..." (Matt. 28:19-20). Both individuals and congregations must rediscover the joy of cristian discipleship. Let's shake off the dust that has settled on our Bibles and re-read with renewed zeal that which it tells about our first brethren: "The men who have upset the world have come here also" (Acts 17:6). Our task today can not be different from theirs; that task is "to upset the world". Beyond lethargic churches, timid churches, and churches which "question" their commission, let us be clamorous churches. Let us walk, brethren, and let us remember that if we want to be "CHIESEinFORMA (i.e. Churches in good shape)" there must be movement. And finally, let us not forget that our walk can be nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who left us an example to live by and to follow after. What joy is there greater for a father than to see his children "walking in the truth" (2 John 4). The Father wants faithful children. "And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments" (2 John 6). (Vittorio Vitalone)

A NEW WITNESS IN COSENZA

The congregation of Spezzano Piccolo has initiated, for several months now, Bible studies and prayers (on Saturday afternoons) and a worship service (on Sunday afternoons) in the city of Cosenza. The building, property of Pierino Stumpo, is in the heart of the city and thus offers many opportunities to preach Christ to those who pass by. For whoever would like to visit (and you will be welcomed!), our address is: Chiesa di Cristo - Via Mario Mari, 37 - 87100 Cosenza. - (Franco Perna)

SPIRITUAL RETREAT '97 IN KLEINZELL

From August 11 to 17 in the beautiful Austrian mountains (about 3,300 ft. in height) at the comfortable Alpine hut "Schwarzwal-deckhaus" (house in the Black Forest), there will be the annual spiritual retreat organized by James Young and his wife Piera. The theme on which we will meditate will be: THE PERSON OF GOD. The cost is L.30.000 a day per person. There will also be to possibility to visit Vienna (at extra expense). To reserve a place, send a postal money order for L.100.000 to James Young - C. P. 99 - 51000 Pistoia. - (Circular letter sent to the congregations by Bro. Young)

ALBANIA

Unfortunately the situation is still grave in Albania and the country is trying hard to return to a normal condition. Our brethren there tell us that they lack the primary necessities, especially medicine. Numerous American and Italian brethren have already responded to this request in a tangible manner by sending funds, necessities, and medicines. Bro. Stefano Spina of Taranto has personally contacted a group of Albanian refugees and also had the opportunity to talk about Christ with them. We know of numerous inititatives by congregations that are ready to supply goods for our Albanian brethren, but we are not able to provide a specific address at this moment. As soon as the Albanian brethren give us other information, we will not hesitate to give you the news in this publication. For the moment, we continue to ask you to pray for Albania, the ancient Illyricum (Rom. 15:19).

ITINERANT EVANGELIST

The following Calabrian brethren are only a few which have left Calabria for employment reasons: Francesco and Carmine Ierardi (Turin), Vincenzo Onorato and family (Rome), Olga Cerando and Emanuela (Florence), Anna Puglia and family (Arezzo), Carolina Carvelli (Perugia), Lorenzo Curio (Bergamo), and Mario Cardamone (Bardonecchia). We want to take advantage of the space that "CHIESEinFORMA" provides to send them our brotherly greetings and to make a proposal: we need an intinerant evangelist who could periodically visit these brethren, who live in places where there is no congregation, to exhort them in the Lord (Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25). - (Luigi Mirabelli)

NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS

MONFALCONE - As already announced in the previous issue of CHIESEinFORMA, the congregation in Cervignano has its new meeting place in Monfalcone (Via Romana, 97 or write C.P. 19). During 1997, with God's help, they want to have a series of evangelistic activities which include, among others, announcements by radio and ads in the newspaper. The congregation in Monfalcone, to make its program a reality, hopes for the financial help of other Italian churches of Christ. For futher information, contact Sergio Caiffa - Via Aquileia, 1 - Monfalcone (GO) - Tel. 0481-482624. - (from the circular letter of the Monfalcone congregation)

BOLOGNA - The Nations University (an organization legally recognized by Louisana in 1996), founded by brother and sisters in Christ, will be present in Italy with a program of classes organized by Bro. Paolo Di Luca and with the assistance of Bro. Maurizio Pezzanera. These classes will take place June 14-15 at Aprilia and June 21-22 at Bologna. The theme will concentrate on the family and the teachers will be Earl Lavender (missionary in Italy in the 80's) and Gayle Napier (one of the most respected Christian family counsellors in the U. S.). - A memorable day of edification was March 31 at the 18th lectureship organized by the Church of Christ in Bologna. Numerous brethren from various congregations participated. The theme was: "Christians: Living Letters of Christ". The speakers emphasized these ideas: * Bro. Alfredo Gennari told us that "love", according to God, means "going the extra mile" and it will be costly to better our neighbor's welfare. * Bro. Carl Mitchell helped us to better understand God's design for the family and its fundamental role in society. * Bro. Italo Minestroni concluded the lectures by challenging all to reflect on the function of the church in the world. - (Maurizio Pezzanera)

TARANTO - "And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). With the baptism of Ippazzio, which took place last month, the Lord has blessed us and given us the joy of having a new brother in Christ. (Stefano Spina)

PRATO - For a few years we have had a special program of edification in which we invite over each month a Christian family from another Italian congregation. Besides the worship service and the Bible study, we also have a fellowship meal where opinions and news can be exchanged concerning the deeds and activities of other congregations. - (Orfeo Magnanimo)

SHORT NEWS ITEMS

PADOVA - The American missionaries there are carrying on several evanglistic activities; among them are English lessons using the Bible as the text.

FLORENCE - (The Bible School)--Jay Walls and the young people in the "Avanti Italia (Forward Italy)" program desire to rewrite the printed lecture notes from past classes at the school. Jay informs us that they need a good computer for this job, which they do not have at this time. They hope there will be help from the Italian churches.

ROME - Viale Jonio Church of Christ--There is still the possibility to reserve a place for Lectureship '97 at Severa which will be on May 19-18 (for other information or reservations, call Giancarlo Balboni - 06-8803900).

The magazine, LA BUONA NOTIZIA (The Good News), has reached its 20th birthday. A "Thanks!" to all the readers who have sustained it and to all over the years, like Bro. Italo Minestroni, who have worked to supply ariticles. We hope that our readership and supporters will always be numerous, confident that the Lord will bless everything done to His glory and to His praise. La Buona Notizia - Via S. Rocco, 7/D - 40100 Bologna.

PUBBLICATIONS

* Finally, there has been published a good book on biblical hermeneutics: "Come Interpretare La Bibbia" ("How To Interpret the Bible") of Alfred Kuen. It can be found in religious bookstores or can be ordered from the editor by sending L.34.000 through a postal money order using the code c.c.p. 41454000 to I.B.E. - Via del Casale Corvio, 50 - 00132 Rome.

* There is still available in bookstores the book of David Pawson: "Il Battesimo in Acqua" ("Water Baptism"), Edizioni Patmos (Patmos Publishing) - C. P. 1313 - 06125 Perugia.

* There has been printed Number 17 of "Studi di Teologia" ("Studies in Theology"), a quarterly periodical written by the I. F. E. D. of Padua. The theme explored in specialized articles is: "Mondernita' e Postmodernita'" ("Modernism and Post-Modernism").

LITERATURE BY CHRISTIAN AUTHORS

Two commentaries, edited by Bro. Italo Minestroni, APOCALISSE (Revelation) and LA VITA DI GESU'-UNO SGUARDO SINOTTICO DEI QUATTRO VANGELI (The Life of Jesus-A Synoptic Panorama of the Four Gospels) (two volumes), are ready. Before they are printed, in order not to be exceeding or lacking the number of copies commissioned, we await congregations and individual members to make their requests to the congregation in Bologna not later than June 31. A revised edition of the commentary ATTI DEGLI APOSTOLI (Acts of the Apostles), also by Bro. Italo Minestroni, is being made. As soon as it is ready, we will give you notice in CHIESEinFORMA. For further information or ordering copies, contact the Chiesa di Cristo - Via S. Rocco, 7/D - 40122 Bologna - 051-524592.

BIBLE DISPLAY La Societa' Biblica in Italia (Italian Bible Society), established in Rome, will loan an intersting "Bible Display" to anyone who requests it. The purpose of this exhibition is to promote the knowledge, history, and contents of the Bible. It can also serve as a useful instrument for evangelism. The materials of this display include: A. Panels (25 minimum and 52 maximum) that illustrate the history of the biblical text. B. A collection of Bible (more than 50) in the Italian language and various other foreign languages. There are also scientific editions of ancient texts (Hebrew, Greek, Latin). C. Accompanying the exhibition are a brochure which serves as a guide, a poster, and a quiz. For information: Societa' Biblica in Italia - Via IV Novembre, 107 - 00187 Rome - Tel. 06-69941416 - Fax 06-69941702.