Leroy Garrett has written this wonderful essay about the decision at the Richland Hills Church of Christ to add an instrumental service. I’m using it with Leroy’s gracious permission.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN CHURCHES OF CHRIST
It is significant that the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth recently announced that it would soon have a service with instrumental music in addition to its usual services where the traditional practice of acappella singing will be preserved. It is significant not only because Richland Hills is one of our largest congregations, if not the largest, but also because it is one of our most influential churches, if not the most influential.
Unlike some of our avant garde churches, Richland Hills has been cautious and moderate in the changes it has made through the years. A number of churches have “progressed” beyond the point of any identity as Churches of Christ, and have more or less disclaimed any connection. They have not only gone “instrumental” completely, but they have taken some generic name in place of Church of Christ. They say that name is an impediment to their mission. And yet their leadership and membership are largely from Churches of Christ, and they are likely to practice communion and baptism as before. They are particularly “grace-oriented.”
When I discussed this with Rick Atchley, senior minister at Richland Hills, he said being “Church of Christ” was no problem to them. He appeared to agree with what I have long said: We should be busy being what we believe a true Church of Christ should be – unsectarian, unity-minded, Christ-centered, and faithful to our heritage both in Scripture and to our Restoration tradition. That is what reformation/restoration is about – not leaving and becoming rootless, but staying and effecting renewal from within.
This is what makes Richland Hill’s decision to go instrumental for even one service historic. It is something of an exemplary congregation, one that has kept its balance amidst decades of change, and it has remained loyal to its heritage in Churches of Christ. It has in fact through the years conducted workshops for our leaders on “how to do church.” Are they now showing their penchant for leading the way by going (partly) instrumental?
While there are several Churches of Christ that still wear that name that are now instrumental in one service, it is not yet a trend – perhaps no more than six or eight congregations. The Jenks Church of Christ in Tulsa has the unique arrangement of simultaneous services, one acappella and one instrumental, one upstairs and one downstairs. They supposed that the instrumental service would be for the youth, but to their surprise a number of oldsters attend as well.
The Farmers Branch Church of Christ in the Dallas area also has simultaneous services Sunday a.m., a “contemporary” service in the Family Center that uses instruments, and a traditional acappella service in the sanctuary. There is a second acappella service on Sunday morning.. There is also a contemporary service on Saturday p.m., with instruments. These contemporary services use keyboard, guitars, drums. The four weekend assemblies total upward of 1500 in attendance. Considering its background as a non-Sunday school congregation (It still has no Sunday school!), Farmers Branch is a phenomenon among Churches of Christ, with dynamic leadership.
As might be expected, this innovation of having even one instrumental service is viewed with concern, if not dismay, by many in Churches of Christ. It is probable that for the foreseeable future most of our churches will remain uncompromisingly acappella. But there will almost certainly be a continuation of some congregations –the larger and the more progressive – going instrumental for one or more services. Now that Richland Hills is among that number the pace could accelerate.
Churches of Christ have such a rich tradition of acappella singing that it is unlikely that it will ever be completely abandoned. Even our most progressive congregations will almost certainly continue to do some singing without instruments. And for good reasons, one being that we often do it well. It is common for visitors to our services to comment that we don’t need instruments. We can also believe that acappella music is more in keeping with the simplicity and beauty of New Testament worship.
Nor are Churches of Christ uniquely acappella, except in some American communities. Throughout the history of the church there has been a substantial presence of acappella singing, sometimes acappella only, as in the great Orthodox churches, the most ancient of denominations. All churches sometimes sing acappella, and some of the great choirs of the world use only the human voice. The Presbyterian Church of Scotland not only objects to instruments but to man-made hymnals as well. They use the hymnal that is in the Bible, the Psalms. The only scriptural hymnal! I don’t know how we missed that one!
This is why I questioned the thesis of a publication by a professor at Abilene Christian University some years back on The Case for Acappella Music. I pointed out that no case has to be made for acappella singing, for reasons noted above. Beside, insofar as Churches of Christ are concerned that is not the issue. The professor’s book should have been on The Case for Making Acappella Music a Test of Fellowship.
No one faults us for singing acappella. That has not been our sin. We erred when we made the use of instruments a test of fellowship and allowed it to be a divisive issue. We went wrong when we moved acappella music from being an opinion or preference to being an essential. We took it from our small t traditions, where it properly belongs, and made it part of our capital T tradition, the core gospel which we share with all believers.
And that, thank God, is what is changing – not in a trickle, but massively. Instrumental music is a dead issue in most mainline Churches of Christ. Many churches – that will adamantly remain non-instrumental — have gone on record of no longer making it a condition of fellowship. Even those who view it as a sin should they sing with an instrument no longer apply that judgment upon others.
It does not matter all that much whether Churches of Christ remain acappella or whether they become partly or completely instrumental. The church catholic has long labeled such questions as adiaphorous (matters of indifference). In our own Restoration heritage we have it in the motto: “In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love.” We got off track and betrayed our own heritage when we turned opinions and methods into essentials.
What is important, whether we are acappella or instrumental or something of both, is that we love and accept all other believers as equals in Christ. How they sing in their assemblies, or how they otherwise “do church” is adiaphorous, so long as they are devoted to Christ and hold to the essentials of the faith.
History could do an irony on us, a benevolent one. Churches of Christ could end up with both instrumental and non-instrumental churches, while we remain united. That would put us where our Stone/Campbell heritage was 150 years ago. For an entire generation we had “organic” and “inorganic” congregations without a rupture in fellowship. This was the case until editor-bishops appeared who insisted that “It can be only one way,” and divided us.
This transition we are going through – and remember the “law of change” is the “law of God – isn’t really about instrumental music. It goes much deeper and is much more complicated. It is the old issue of “form and substance” that goes back to the ancient Greek philosophers. Is reality and truth in the form (anything material or outward) or is it in the substance (the ideal, or what’s in the heart)? Or s it somehow both? Plato, for instance, held that material things are but a shadow of reality, which is mind or idea.
We are all exposed to this problem in one way or another. We know that unless baptism is a “circumcision of the heart” (Col. 2:11-12) one only gets wet. And we agree with Shakespeare in reference to prayer that “words without thoughts never to heaven go.” And unless it is an act of heart and conscience the Lord’s Supper is in vain. Form must have substance, and substance must have priority. Errors of the heart are far more serious than flaws in the form.
Our people are becoming more spiritually discerning, and this includes being more aware of what matters most, the heart. If the heart is right (substance) the form might be adiaphorous – or at least matters on which we can differ. Not that form is unimportant, for it is sometimes ordained of God, but our sincere responses to form might differ in detail. Foremost, God looks upon the heart, not outward appearance.
So, just how we do music — hymnals are only the Psalms, shaped notes or round notes, choirs or solos or congregational singing, acappella or instrumental – may not be that big a deal with God so long as the music is from the heart and glorifies Christ. And so we are to unloose and renounce the old fallacy that “It can be only one way.”
Amen! Amen! Amen! I prayerfully support the Richland Hills decision.
I remember working as a youth intern in 1980 and meeting someone who told me they were from an instrumental CoC. I didn’t know such a thing existed. It did. It does. It shouldn’t be a test of fellowship. Let matters of opinion be just that!
it has been my dream to see the coc change without changing the name. may God bless Richland Hills Church of Christ and build their faith so that the flaming arrows find no target.
Today I had a high and holy worship experience. This was after the wonderful worship experience while “doing church” acappella.
For 3 hours I soaked in the glory of the Lord, listening to the performance of the full Hendel’s Messiah.
It would have been impossible without insturments.
I cherish both the earlier and the later times of worship today.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m a big admirer of Mr. Garrett’s work, after Wade Hodges recommended his book, “The Stone-Campbell Movement” (which _I think_ is essential reading for all RM members).
But, I’m assuming that many churches that have taken “Church of Christ” from their signs to avoid the appearance of sectarianism, which I believe is a good thing. (Hard to take pride in anything other than Jesus, if there’s not a dominational classification on the sign.)
This is wonderful motto… ““In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love.”… I just hope that we (believers in Jesus), continue to shorten the list of ‘essential’s, certainly beyond the instrumental/non-instrumental issue.
I’m a father. I have three kids. For argument sake, lets say John likes the color blue, Laura likes the color pink and Emily the color purple. So they want to give me a Christmas gift and each wrap their gift in their favorite color paper. We all wake up Christmas morning and each brings their gift to me but they realize their gifts are wrapped different. They begin to argue about who wrapped their gift the best. They say mean things about each other. They refuse to be in the same room. Each think they are right.
My heart would be broken. I would wish they would just be a family.
That would be the best gift they could give me.
Guitars and drums in worship seems so , I don’t know—redneck. Please dear God, no.
Chris,
See above.
The Farmers Branch Church of Christ in the Dallas . . . is a phenomenon among Churches of Christ, with dynamic leadership. I wonder if one of those services are in Spanish?
Too bad this leadership couldn’t suppress the racist legislation 2-3 weeks ago. At least they are tackling the bigger issue of accapella music.
Once again we we look stupid by even discussing this inane topic. I can think of 200 more pertinent issues to a crappy world. One of them is the Alamo Bowl and its participants.
Recently I was in a few of the Greek Islands and toured some monasteries. I asked the guide where the piano was. The look of horror on her face was priceless.
I don’t know much of anything more beautiful than the human voice. Why would anyone want to cover it up with a cold, dead instrument? Richland Hills, please reconsider.
There are some hymns and psalms that beg acappella presentation.
There are others, new music and as Sarah mentioned, Oratorios etc., that beg instruments accompany the voices. Ergo and imho, let the music decide which presentation will be used. BTW-there are beautiful and powerful songs we do not sing because a ‘congregational’ arrangement has not be done as yet, so for lack of an instrument we cannot praise and worship the LORD with these songs. My, my!
One thing we still must guard against is nasty disagreements. Pleasant ones, okay, but not nasty, harmful, spiteful disagreements, please! I doubt God is pleased anytime we take swipes at each other.
Just a side remark and hopefully not taken as a snide remark. The guitar did not originate in “red neck” country.
If, as many people say, we should not be concerned with such small things such as instrumental music but more concerned with Christ and Him crucified and be preaching that more….why do so many churches rush to changes things in their worship and do so, IMHO, simply for the sake of change?
Mind you, I have zero problem with instrumental music. Sure, I don’t really like it in worship but see nothing wrong with it but, if it ain’t that important, why even do it?
It’s just like the silly praise teams. Most progressive churches look down their nose at churches that don’t have one yet, what is the point? Does it add to the worship to have 5 people stand behind the minister when he preaches? If not, then why have 5 stand behind the song leader?
It would be so wrong to think the RH leadership did this just for the sake of change. (I grow weary of people complaining about “change for change’s sake,” anyway. Who really does that? That seems like a dismissive way of saying, “I don’t like this!”)
They prayerfully made this decision. Just because instrumental music is a nonessential issue doesn’t mean that it wasn’t worth talking about for them. That’s a misunderstanding of the nature of these “adiaphora” issues. Godly discernment is still required. My guess is that many churches will follow their lead; many others will not. Both can be honoring God as they seek to join God in his work in this world.
And “silly praise teams”? Sorry, I have no experience with those. I’ve seen devoted, godly praise teams who have blessed me beyond description. (Just as I’ve often seen a single person leading who also blessed me.) But never silly praise teams. Nor am I aware of any churches looking down their noses at those who don’t use them. But then, I have limited experience.
(Beverly, I missed your note from the December 1 entry until today. I’ve responded to it this morning, dear sister.)
Mike,
Thank you for the edit of an earlier post. A strong point can be made without even the first and last letter of word that to so many is pure filth. Now to Leroy Garrett’s well written and well thought out article. I think we are seeing history repeat itself. A hundred years ago or so those who thought accapella music was more than an opinion were left without much of anything. They rose from the ashes, and in time became more numerous than the other two wings of the fellowship. What will happen this time I am not sure. I am not sure if Garrett is correct when he says that our fellowship lived in peace for a generation after the introduction of the instrument. I would love to hear the comments of those who know their history better than myself. At this point I am not sure what I believe. Mike, there might not be churches that look down their noses, but when I read some of the posts, even from today, I am left to wonder if there are not individuals that do look down their noses at those who have strong beliefs concerning accapella music. There is one other observation about Garrett’s article. He makes some strong comments about “editor/Bishops.” Is it possible that their place has been taken by powerful bloggers? You are an excellent writer, and you seem to freely use your blog to influence and change opinion in much the same way as editors of religious papers of long ago did. When those editors wrote their opinions did they do anything wrong anymore than you do anything wrong when you forcefully express your opinions?
I recognize that this decision was not come to without much thought and prayer, but I’m sort of with Leland on this one … why is it an instrumental service that merits such hype? Isn’t it true that the RH building is actually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs encouragement/ministry? That, to me, should be bigger news (because it is a departure from “business as usual” in Churches of Christ) than the addition of a praise band.
While I, too, am weary of complaints of “change for change’s sake,” I am more weary of the church’s preoccupation with what happens during an hour time block on one day of the week.
What has always bothered me about these debates in the Church of Christ, from my earliest days in Sunday School, is the view of God behind one side of the debate. Sitting behind the accapella tradition in the church of my youth was a God whose main emotional tone was Wrath. God always seemed on the verge of flying off the handle. So, we had to be extraordinarily careful to make sure we didn’t do anything that would upset him. God was edgy, prone to anger, perfectionistic, and obsessive-compulsive. It was a very dysfunctional and depressing way to do church. I remember, as a high-school student, being depressed about my evangelistic efforts. I didn’t want to invite my friends to church because I was ashamed of the God of my church. I didn’t want my friends to meet him.
I see a great deal of difference between a blog such as Mike’s, which allows and facilitates the free flow of ideas, and scrupulously avoids personal attacks on individuals and groups within or without our brotherhood, and the writings of individuals who have so thoroughly immersed themselves in a point of view that they are willing to attack anyone and everyone who does not share that point of view. And “when those editors wrote their opinions” seems to indicate this is a historical situation that does not continue today. Hmmmm…
This is a very well-written essay on the issue instrumental music and CoC’s. I am thankful for Richland Hills’ prayerful discernment and decision to add an instrumental service as a part of their worship.
I so agree with this statement:
“No one faults us for singing acappella. That has not been our sin. We erred when we made the use of instruments a test of fellowship and allowed it to be a divisive issue.”
To make everyone in CoC’s happy, perhaps they could avoid ever tuning the piano… and change keys each verse… that would sort of keep things the same as most small, a cappela churches. (I’m kidding, I’m kidding!!).
BTW, Dan (above), if you’ve ever heard my mother sing… you’d want a “cold, dead” piano to cover it up.
Just joking around. Hope everyone here has a good week.
I agree with Tim. If it’s “no big deal,” then why such the fuss? And what are the “number of vital reasons?” More people in the pews? More “cred” with the rest of the progressive CoCs? So Richland Hills can look more “normal”?
I’m with Amy’s comment. I’d give anything for my congregation to have RHCofC’s attitude. I know so many wonderful Christians who worship there. Blessings to them!
If you had been blessed by
God with the gift of being musically inclined,by this I mean to be able to play an instrument with great talent, or have a naturally beautiful singing voice wouldn’t and shouldn’t you use this to worship the God who had given you this gift?
I certainly agree that this isn’t on the level of mission, discipleship, service, etc. I’ll bet you’d find that it hasn’t taken 1% of the time at churches like RH and FB that, say, entering into the mission of Christ has taken. But to expect it to be a “let’s-just-move-on” topic is to misunderstand the place a cappella music has had in the history of Churches of Christ. I’m thankful for a missional church that is able to discuss such things without losing focus.
When I hear people say, “We have so many more important things than to waste our time on something like this,” I partly agree. If we’ve agreed to make the change, just make it. (I sometimes think people say that as a way of preserving the status quo. “We’re too busy to bother so let’s stay the same.” But it can go the other way: “We’re too busy to bother so let’s make the change and move on.”)
The truth is, though, that the way congregations move through transitions like this says a lot about who they are and how they are living out the gospel. E.g., Paul’s extended discussion of eating foods sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8-10 has lots of theology — and while dealing with something that was, in one sense, “no big deal.” It’s food, blessed by God. You can eat it. But, he spends three chapters discussing it in the context of a family of faith.
Richard, interesting question. I’ve edited two journals, one for six years and the other for a dozen years (21st Century Christian and Wineskins, respectively). Maybe there is some similarity with blogging.
But, this seems more interactive. No one person gets the final say. The comments often link us to other blogs. It’s not just a few men in Nashville or Dallas. But it’s men and women of faith all over the world who are thinking together about what the reign of God means. (This is how it strikes me on a good day. On a bad day, I’m thinking: Why am I wasting my time? Ha!)
The old saying is that the Church of Christ didn’t have popes and bishops. We had editors and Christian college presidents.
Of course, so much has changed now. I’m hoping to find the time to write a series on “The Future of Churches of Christ.” Blessings!
Good post Joel Q.!!! I think you summed it up very well! Personally, I love acapella~~just my opinion. My Mom’s parents were CofC and my Dad’s pentecostal “PTL” all the way~~ As a child I begged for my mom to drop me off at the Assembly of God after CofC let out at 11:15. I saw my grandparents speak in tongues, praise God and sing with instrumental music. To each his own. They were all praising God.
The only thing I could remember is that it was hard to hear everyone singing with the instruments. To this day I feel there is nothing more beautiful than acapella singing. Again, my opinion. I see nothing wrong with instruments in worship.
God has gifted my daughter with the gift to play piano. Since we now attend an independent Christian Church, she has been able to use her gift to bless others by playing the prelude at church.
That being said, I miss Accapella music in worship. I wish there was a RH style of church in my town.
Leland-
What would be graceful is if you would quit bashing the Farmers Branch leadership from behind a blog. Your comments are spoken in ignorance. I am sure the FBCC ministry staff would laugh at your preconceived misconceptions and go on with important things, but as a member of the faith community at The Branch, I can’t.
Come join us one Sunday. Stay for lunch. You will learn much. Mostly, that our church leadership seeks God with every fiber of their being.
1 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, “Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this.”
8 The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, ” Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!”
9 When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”
I find it sad that this post already has 20 comments and the last about if Texas were a town got only 3.
Joel Q - In the interest of dialogue, what would be your response to your children if beforehand you had told them that your presents must be wrapped in orange paper?
Paul - I am diferent from the first respondant.
Identity, Amanda, identity. I fear we are more concerned with our historical identity as a non-instrumental fellowship than we are to be identified as a fellowship that reaches out to those in need.
This is so sad because we DO reach out to those in need, we just don’t say much about it as other fellowships may do. In this small city our congregation has many outreach programs to feed, clothe, train, encourage than most in town. Rarely is there any mention of this congregation in the local media, which is fine with me btw. It seems to me that we are a fellowship that just doesn’t let others know too much about what we do in our communities and neighbors’ families.
This will cause some to label RHCOC as a visionary leader and some to label it as a church on the slippery slope to hell. Most outside the church the COC won’t even be aware of the change, and if they did, they’d wonder, “So, what’s the big deal?”
I don’t think this dog hunts in areas of the country where COC is more sparse. If you don’t like RH brand of worship and doctrine, you just mosey down the street and try on another COC. Shop till you find what you like.
But in my parts, the local COC is the only show in town, and might be the only show in a hundred miles. In these communities, the leadership is always concerned about the “stumbling block” — creating a church where the faithful can’t be faithful anymore because the COC has “violated their conscience.”
I’m no expert on such things, but I suspect that some COC’s (primarily southern) are growing and shrinking as COC members migrate from one store (I mean church) to the next. Other COC’s (northern?) are simply dying out, only being kept alive by its current stalwart members and the occasional family that moves into town.
Great post. I respect Leroy Garrett and have his book - can’t say I have read it all. It is not really that kind of book, at least for me. Yesterday we had a song played during morning service that had instrumental accompaniment on a CD with words projected on the screen. It has caused some concern, not with me but for some close to me. I also prefer accapella music, but I think attitude in worshipping the Lord is what really counts.
“I like pink!”
“Purple is better than blue!”
“Purple is dumb and doesn’t matter.”
“Daddy thinks that blue is better than pink!”
—
“THY LITTLE CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”
“You just chose pink because you wanted to be like that stupid battery bunny!”
“Jesus wore purple and then Lydia did to copy him and so I like purple because it is most like Jesus and early church purple sellers.”
“If you are trying to give Daddy your gift and it is wrapped in blue, I ain’t coming in the living room with you because pink is my chosen tradition.”
—
“THY LITTLE CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”
Paul D - Or, in the case of the CofC, if a father didn’t expressly say which color with which to wrap the gifts, but one of the children judged from the father’s silence on the subject that he must have meant “orange.” (and thereby subjected all of the other siblings to that same interpretation of the father’s silence)
I’m can tolerate a historical argument for a cappella music (both ancient and recent history), but the “biblical” one holds about as much water as the argument against kitchens in the church building.
Paul D,
I get the point you are trying to make, but the only problem with it is God gave no instruction on instruments. He did say sing, and in every place I have ever been where there were people worshiping God, instrumental or not, do you know what was happening every time? Singing. Some were singing while instruments were being played. Some were singing without no instruments in sight. But in every case, singing was happening. I think I could count on one hand the number of “worship songs” that don’t have some kind of singing in them. There’s ………………….. um ……………………… uh…………… OK. I can’t think of any.
So, the command from God as always been to sing, and so far we get that one right every time. Now, take away singing, then your point might have some merit.
Bah.
Guitars are overrated. Bring on the organ and the harp and the bells.
Drums are overrated, too.
After graduating ACU my husband and I moved to the Dallas area. We searched and searched for a church to call our church home. We visited Farmers Branch COC along with many other churches in the area. After several months of “church hopping” we went back to Farmers Branch and never left. It changed our lives. I never had heard of worshiping on a Saturday night before, and never heard of a COC worshiping with instruments. Again, it changed our lives. I had never worshiped before in such a free environment. Every time I worship there I am moved to tears. It is very powerful. However, you can show up Sunday morning at the accapella services and have the same experience. You can leave from any of the 4 services at FBCC knowing that you were just in the presence of the Lord.
Everyone, before ever judging, needs to at least experience a Saturday night service at FBCC. You will leave a different person, and you will leave knowing confidently that God is smiling down on the leadership there as well as the body of believers.
Mike,
Personally, I have played instruments as long as I have loved to sing. Even after experiencing the joy of playing in different bands (guitar is my main instrument), I have never felt compelled to push for instrumental worship services, knowing the sheer inspiration that can come from worship a cappella style, when it is done well.
However, I was extremely moved when I heard the testimony of my friend, Milton Jones, who witnessed God merging a church of Christ with a Christian Church in Seattle. Several factors brought this about, but that unity would never have happened without the NorthWest Church’s vision and move, similar to Richland Hills. Could it be that we are preventing unity in some cases by stubbornly making our personal preferences more important that the unity Jesus prayed for?
Thanks for sharing!
In the past, I have bemoaned “change for the sake of change.”
Now I take a little different approach. Think of it like an equation. A + B + H = C. In the past, we barely acknowledged that B + A + H is also equal to C. But we are talking about praising and worshiping our Creator. Not only can A + B + H = praise, but X + Y + H, also. The only variable that must be constant is H, our hearts. If my heart is absent, I don’t think the equation can ever equal praise.
Though I live just a few blocks from my office, there are any number of ways to get from here to there. If we sat down and looked at it, we would probably all agree that there is one route that is the most efficient. However, sometimes efficiency is not a priority. Getting home is the goal.
I myself prefer acapella singing, though I have participated in some incredible instrumental-assisted praise time. As so often, I have to trust that the elders God raised up at any particular congregation are leading their flock home, even if the route is not as efficient as I would like or the scenery isn’t as pretty.
If the Church of Christ in our town had the same attitude as Richland Hills, we would have stayed a part of it. The issue is not the music one. The issue is the “we’re right and everyone else is wrong and we have no need to change or learn any more” attitude which we did not want our children to be continually exposed to.
Mike, thanks for sharing the article/essay. I only disagree with one point. If folks like The Center for Church Growth are correct, than the mass of mainline Churches of Christ is in small (less than 100 in attendance) congregations. To say that “Instrumental music is a dead issue in most mainline Churches of Christ.” in my experience is wrong. I know here it is definitely an issue. One minister wanted to show a video at a Thanksgiving devotional but couldn’t due to music being in the background. My experience is that the more rural and also the smaller the congregation of the Church of Christ the more it is one of THE issues.
BUT, I hope I am wrong.
WOW!
Are we so afraid of changing our form that we don’t care about our function. RCoC and the branch, are not changing to change or to look normal or any other secular ideology. Our churches are dying, if you don’t believe me look and the #’s. We have stood anchored in our Church of Christ, instead of being Christ’s Church. For example, I do not read any place in the bible and see: 3 songs, prayer, 2 songs, sermon, invitation song, announcements and prayer of dismissal. There is a lot wrong with church, do we just dismiss church then? Of course not, we try to correct it, we try to become pertinent, we try to be God centered, not church centered. Anytime we put the church above God (all churches tend this way) then we have an imbalance. Music is music, I love it all, I need it all, I am more able to worship, praise and sing when a variety is offered. Am I used to a certain way, yes. Should I be comfortable while at my weekly church meeting? Hmmm! I wonder, if the point is to be comfortable maybe I should bring a blanky and some hot cocoa.
Love you all
Kieth L - You need to hear this group that I picked up recently … they are an “a cappella vocal band,” and they produce the same sounds with their voices alone that most groups produce with a full ensemble! Quite amazing, really. Based on your comment, seems like a group you’d like.
Joel Q. - I need you to explain a little more for me. I am not sure I am getting your parable. I usually track right along with your comments and love your heart for people, so I need to be sure and understand what you are saying.
Sorry for being the “slow” one of the day. I’ve spent the last 3 hours buried in Leviticus - that’ll fry anyone’s brain.
As an elder in a formerly ICOC congregation, I am watching these developments with interest. To avoid any confusion, let me start by saying that our congregation uses instruments. I have personally played my trumpet in service.
I think this post, and many of the comments, display a one sided view of the question. The conscience issue has been ignored. There are many thousands of Christians who cannot in good conscience worship with instrumental music. I do not agree with their hermeneutics but that is a red herring. The facts of the matter are that they have that conviction. Yet they are still my brothers and sisters. So I have three choices:
1) remain separated from them because of our different convictions
2) do my best to change their convictions (and run the risk of causing some of them to violate their consciences in the process)
3) accommodate their convictions in a manner that does not cause them to stumble.
I think Romans 14 teaches that we should do #3.
Holding separate services is one way to accommodate the a cappella consciences. But it is not the only way. I would like to see the instrumental folks (including myself) to meet halfway on this. We could have combined services without instruments, on an occasional basis. Would the instrumental churches be willing to go that far for the sake of unity?
Thanks for the responses. I am glad that you understood that my question was not whether Joel did or did not declare a specific color but was IF he did specify, what would be his response.
Paul
Hi all,
Gotta say that I don’t find instruments a salvation issue. My background is Baptist, when I came to the Church of Christ I found a love for acappella!
Boils down to this, we would all agree this is not a salvation issue it comes down to the traditions that were past down. I personally don’t like instruments that much at all, I love hearing my brothers and sisters pour their hearts our in song but would I frown and create disunity because of instruments? No way!
In the end we must understand that conflict is inevitable but disunity is unacceptable.
We have the knowledge, good news, that the Son of God came to earth, died on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected on the third day just as He said He would, but if we add a guitar then people will respond and our church will not be a “dying” one. One would have to admit that is, at the very least, an interesting position.
Mike, “I grow weary of people complaining about “change for change’s sake,” anyway. Who really does that?”
Plenty. I have seen first hand many churches make changes in their order of worship, for example, simply to change things up. Is that wrong? Of course not. In fact, it is quite good so you don’t get stale. I simply just find praise teams silly. Sorry but I get nothing out of watching 10 people behind the worship leader just as I would get nothing if you had 10 people behind you while you preached. Just as I get nothing out of Politicans staging certain groups behind them when they sign legislation or make speeches. It just distracts. It’s just my opinion though.
However, what I have seen is many churchs making the focus of the worship the front of the auditorum. From Drama to praise teams to whatever, the focus has shifted from God and each other to the front stage. I feel this is very sad.
One last thing I need to throw out…I also find it frustrating that many of these churches are adding things like Instrumental music and praise teams yet still do nothing about their “dress code”. Sure, they may not have a dress code officially but how many members wear shorts and flip flops to Sunday Morning services? How many worship leaders are up there in jeans and a T-shirt? I would like to see more churches get more comfortable with this before branching out to the other things And get more women up there FIRST!!!!
I cannot wait until this is no longer an issue!
When will the circle be unbroken and become a part of the bigger circle?
I also want to stress again that I don’t think that change for the sake of change is wrong. We need it. All my comments are just opinion and just what I like and don’t like. I also don’t like a lot of the new praise songs and prefer deeper songs such as Fanny Crosby wrote. But, again, that’s just me.
That depends Jeff. Are you singing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” with or without instruments?
Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.
Both Stephen
Shannon Oaks Church was a “CofC” in a denominational sense 3 years ago and worshiped accapella exclusively. Today, we’re no longer a “cofc” in the denominational sense and there is a mix of accapella and acoustic guitar in our 8:00 service and a full band in our 9:15 and 10:45 services.
I can’t go into all of the advantages of “moving on” and I can’t discuss all of the disadvantages of “moving on”. They will vary from place to place - but I can applaud the Lord deeply in my spirit for the faithful ways he will lead all of you through the transitions you’re initiating.
And I can say that if the Lord is in it - it’s not going to fail and I firmly believe that the Lord has been the pioneer of the changes that are taking place here.
Go God!
OK After reading this I am most stunned to learn Farmers Branch doesn’t have Sunday school. Has it always been that way? NOT that I want to debate the merits of Sunday school…. I just never realized this.
I pray RH is deeply blessed by this change.
Happy, are you saying that Acappella, AVB, and Echo are ok because when they sing it sounds like instruments?
Wow! This is great news. Kudos to Richland Hills!
Guitars and drums? Yes!!! I’m glad they got that part right. I can listen to organ music for about 10 seconds before I have to leave.
There are churches of Christ that still hold to the biblical pattern of singing (there is no pattern for using an instrument in the worship assembly of the church ) that have heart, are zealous, love people, evangelize,and do many good works out in the community.
It seems as though the instrument in the minds of some has become a very big issue. No, it is not the core issue . However, how we worship is important to God.
We can teach about reaching lost souls, compassion, marriage , grace, repentance , baptism, etc. They are all important. So is the teaching about how we worship.
It is to me a going back to the old covenant way of worship. It is worship in the shadows of the old law, the reality is found in Christ.
My concern is the direction this will take so many. Look at what has happened in some of the major denominations. People in large numbers are leaving. They were using instruments and their women were preaching long before any in the church of Christ. Some disregard the biblical pattern of church government. Others are teaching that baptism is not essential to salvation. I could go on. I just wonder where do you stop and what is important as to teaching healthy doctrine.
I also find it interesting about the Orthodox church not using the instruments and how many young adults are being attracted to the Orthodox church that continues to be , in the current terminology, b very traditional and have not seen the need to change to make an impact on the current culture. Just another viewpoint in the discussion.
clint - Actually, my comment was a tongue-in-cheek “shout-out” to the founder of one of said a cappella groups.
To Everyone: Is “worship” primarily a corporate activity, or is it something else? Consider Paul’s words to the Romans:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Corporate praise and fellowship is important, but I have seen “siblings in Christ” write off a fellow believer who clearly is offering his or her body as a pleasing sacrifice to God, but whose corporate worship may not completely match. This, I’m afraid, is the real tragedy of this entire debate.
Only thing worse than guitars and drums in worship? Vocal percussion!
A pox upon whoever thought that stuff up…
As a member of RHCC, a member of the “silly praise team” no less, I have been so thankful for the way that this has happened. There has been much prayer, study and fasting before presenting the change.
To address some of the earlier comments, one of the main reasons that this change is being made is in order to be missional, to reach more people for the cause of Christ. As Rick said yesterday, so many are tired of being known for what we are against, instead of being known for WHO we are FOR. We have freedom in Christ and for that we should be thankful.
Rick started yesterday a three week series, in a combined adult bible class for the whole congregation, on this whole change. As someone who has never seen it necessary for something like this to cause such division, I am still so grateful for this teaching. Many who have come with their guns loaded to these teachings, have kept their guns in their pockets. Praise God for open hearts. No, it’s certainly not something that should be on the top of our lists…but if arguing about it for so many years has impeded our work for Christ, then I am thankful for a change that might only strengthen our mission.
Just FYI, this series is going to be available online each week after it is taught. They said that yesterday’s should be up by Tuesday. You can go to http://www.rhchurch.org and click on Sermons Online. It will also be available to order on DVD. I would just encourage you to listen first, before you make assumptions. Rick is a spirit-filled teacher, gracious and humble, and I am thankful to be a part of the Richland Hills community.
I attend a “traditional” Church of Christ, and yes, according to most of the people who attend there, instrumental music is a salvation issue. Other churches are condemned for using music. I personally have never read anything in the bible that says it is wrong to use instruments in worship. I don’t necessarily agree with having a band, to me that is more entertainment, but i think that a piano would enhance the singing, make it even more beautiful. Our singing could use the help an instrument would provide. I don’t see this as a salvation issue myself, i love to listen to hymns accompanied by a piano. The bible says to sing, that’s what everyone should do, but it doesn’t say ‘voices only’.
Amazing that this has brought so many comments. One thing that I can add is yes, some churches consider this a heaven or hell issue. The church my family and i Used to attend thought so.
The preacher had even written a book on where the piano was. Anyone that knows Rick Atchley knows he use to be “old school” but with his devotion to seeking the truth he admits God has been faithful and taught him the things that r important. I’m sure in some ways this was a difficult change for him as well. And by the way, anyone who thinks praise teams are silly has never heard Brandon Scott Thomas’s wife sing “Redeemer”- Now He’s alive and there’s an empty grave. Gave me chills and led me closer to God.
I especially appreciate Leroy’s remark, “What is important, whether we are acappella or instrumental or something of both, is that we love and accept all other believers as equals in Christ.” He has always been one to call for peace and understanding between believers.
Congregations make these kinds of changes for various reasons. Probably the leadership at Richland Hills is motivated by several different things. But I hope that no one lays too many expectations on this kind of move — such as that a change in instrumental practice will necessarily make the worship program more relevant, or attractive, or lively, or gifts-exercising friendly, or deeply spiritually impactful.
Most likely it does not matter whether the music is a cappella or not. But that’s just the thing — it probably doesn’t matter. I hope no one is hoping that it will make much difference with respect to anything that counts. A church will not be further from — or closer to — its mission or Christian discipleship on the basis of such a move.
That’s right, ChiliDog. I can see this change being made if the community discerns that it would be edified more with instrumental music, but RH shouldn’t expect this to be the “magic bullet” that yields hundreds of new converts and bolster’s the church’s mission in the community. The fact remains that most Americans are turned off by religion in general — they are leaving the big, “exciting” ones as fast as they are leaving the smaller, more traditional ones.
Plus, it begs the question: Are “seekers” who would come to a church only after it implements a band likely candidates to be sold-out disciples of Jesus? Sounds to me more like consumer Christianity.
Bring on the cowbell. Greg Kendall-Ball could play it, and then maybe he’d stop being so grumpy.
i don’t think anyone sees this as a “magic bullet” at all…and i agree that “religion” is a turn OFF to most people….the more important thing here is that hearts are being softened and opened, which will hopefully lead to openness in all areas…areas of most importance of course, like reaching the lost and helping others who are just as broken as we are…no one has all of the answers…and we certainly aren’t at Richland Hills because of the “product” they are offering…I am just thankful to be a part of a larger body that can say, hey…I DON’T have all the answers…just like you
Paul D,
I think perhaps a more accurate analogy would be something along the lines of:
If the men who knew best what the Father wanted (i.e. those who walked with Jesus on the Earth and were divinely inspired to write the Word) always chose to wrap their presents with orange paper, does that mean we should use orange paper as well?
Apparently, the vast majority of commentors here would say “no”.
I’m with ya, Christine.
Given the choice between RH and many Churches of Christ I’ve visited around the U.S., I’d take 10 RHs. I was probably just stating the obvious (with needs to be stated, from time to time).
And you’re dead-on correct in your assessment that none of us has all the answers. Thank God for grace!
Bring on the Kendall-”Bell”!
Matt Elliott:
“Carol of the Bells” using nothing but cowbells would ROCK!
And does this look like the face of a grump?
I live in a town that has a university and a seminary. I often have the opportunity to interact with seminary professors and pastors from other denominations. I am often asked why we don’t use instruments in worship.
The best answer I can come up with is that we’re quirky and we just love our tradition. I then try to change the subject as soon as possible.
It’s so embarassing.
I sincerely hope that Richland Hills has started a trend that will spread like wildfire across our fellowship.
” And by the way, anyone who thinks praise teams are silly has never heard Brandon Scott Thomas’s wife sing “Redeemer”- Now He’s alive and there’s an empty grave. Gave me chills and led me closer to God. ”
See, that is just it. I want to sing and praise God..not sit and listen to someone else do it. I guess that is a big issue I have with them because, as I said above, it many places it turns into a focus on the front and not on each other or God. It really burns me up when some Praise teams decide to sing to us and not with us.
Again, I ask why more focus has not been on dress in the assemblies? I travel a bit and still see so many cofC folks dressed to the nines while arguing we need to change.
Anyway, again, hope I don’t offend anyone with my opinion.
My question is… where do all these churches of Christ find instrumental musicians? did they hire the local honkeytonk band? (insesrt sarcasm here) if not, who knew we even had such talent?
I just figured cowbells, triangles and pitch pipes were about the only instruments our brothers could play. oh, and maybe a kazoo.
Rats! Matt, I was going for the “more cowbell” line and you got there before me!
Tim, are you saying that you want us to say from pulpits, “No more ties, no more jackets. Next week you must all wear cut offs and flip flops.”?
I guess I would respond to that by saying that our individual communities of faith probably need to figure out what would be the best thing for their settings. Some churches probably need to be “to the nines” and some should probably be flip floppers. Ultimate adiaphorous!
Jason O’Quinn,
I am sorry. I ask for your forgiveness. No qualifications.
Well - my loss for being busy this morning. I consider this HUGE news in the landscape and fabric of the coC’s. Rick was always quite vocal to note RH was the largest accapella church in the U.S., so, I’m simply surprised. I’ll gather it had something to do with the thought process of better re-connecting with the Christian church, and RH’s continual effort to meet the needs of her community with Jesus Christ. Praise God for RH, Rick, and all churches that will shed any man-made tradition or comfort for the sake of being missional-minded.
Inside every a cappella singing Christian (well, some a cappella singing Christians) is an instrumentalist crying to be let out. And inside every instrumentalist Christian (especially some of the older set) is an a cappella Christian crying to be let out. I recently appeared on a unity forum in Spokane with Milton Jones. He said that when the Northwest Church of Christ merged with Shoreline Christian Church, and they added instrumental worship services to their a cappella worship services that a surprising (well, maybe not so surprising) thing happened. Some of the folks from Shoreline liked the a cappella service so well that it became their choice while some of the Northwest folks opted for the instrumental services. Back to my opening illustration…
“The truth is, though, that the way congregations move through transitions like this says a lot about who they are and how they are living out the gospel.”
Thanks, Mike. Good post. In the life of a church and even a denomination, there WILL be many changes. How the people involved move through it shows how they function as a family…the careful, prayerful resolution of these small issues, even though they seem unimportant or even irritating to others, are what free the family to minister to others “outside” their circle and to welcome those “others” into the circle. Resolution of “small” problems is key in order to handle the larger challenges. For far too long issues like this have been made the larger challenge when they were not…it is good to see them reduced to smaller issues for many people. It will be irritating to some, trivial to others, and a gigantic leap for a few (or many?) for we know it is impossible to please everyone’s preferences. HOW the church moves through it is key. Members of a functional family realize some members move more slowly than others, and there is a time to have differences and even blessing in order to allow differences in choice. For far too long we’ve been dysfunctional as a fellowship, and breaking that cycle takes patience, perserverance, and more counseling and talking than sometimes we’d like to imagine. For those irritated by the amount of effort it takes, I make no apologies for our stages of growing pains and the extra rhetoric sometimes needed for healing and moving forward.
So says my kazoo.
And, regarding silly praise teams. Yeah, who wants singing where a few individuals with a real gift for singing have volunteered to be miked so other note-challenged individuals can more clearly hear their part in non-instrumental singing.
I’d much rather hear/watch a pompous male parade around with a lapel mike, speeding up and slowing down songs at his, and only his whim, randomly skipping verses when he feels the urge, and generally focusing the singing on him, and not Him.
Interesting that I’ve never seen a praise team act like in the way that Tim notes (I once heard a woman state that, while she had never been in a worship service with a praise team, she was just certain it would be TOO LOUD), yet, I can think of dozens of times when I’ve seen the latter description I noted.
Leland-
In the face of a very difficult situation going on in the city of Farmer’s Branch, the Farmer’s Branch church has done a beautiful job in it’s reaction. While the leadership of the church cannot make city council members vote a certain way, they can welcome the people who are being oppressed with open arms. And they have. I don’t need to list the different things the church is doing to show unity in the body of Christ among hispanics and non-hispanics, but rest assured they are. I’ve had the privilege of being a part of it. I agree that there are many larger issues at hand than arguing about instrumental music, but please don’t speak unloving words toward a group of people you know nothing about.
It seems discouraging that many church folks’ true passion is reserved for issues like instrumental music instead of other issues like poverty or racism.
Steve Jr., my comment was directed at Happy (theman)’s selection of scripture. I would never get in the way of your “shout-out” to one of the people whom God used to fuel my fire back in the 80’s
The thing I’m most proud of at RHCC is the focus on the community, work with a local elementary school down the street to buy school supplies and throw parties for all their students, teaming up with JPS hospitals to build a free clinic for students, a minister on-call all the time to help people who walk into the building looking for help, classes that get out every weekend to fix people’s houses, the Community Enrichment Center which provides food, education, job placement, counseling to anyone who needs it. Hundreds of little ways that people are being God’s hands and feet to the community.
That’s the way I see the church I love. I’m excited about the Saturday night service because I love to worship with a band, ever since going to Grace in Abilene. If that will bring in people who didn’t want to go to RHCC because they preferred instrumental, I’m all for it, come be a part of God’s mission here. I’m not sure that an instrumental service will bring new Christians in, but maybe the feeling that we’re moving away from what we’re “against” will.
“Thanks for the empty box. It was my favorite Christmas gift!”
“You’re welcome Daddy. What was your favorite part?”
“The orange paper on the outside that you wrapped it in!”
“I followed the biblical pattern just like you told me.”
“Well, I actually never said that. You just assumed that.”
“But you still like the outside things more than the inside stuff right Daddy?”
A local church can discuss the issue of instrumental music as well as being active to reach out. I guess the new term is to be missional.
In the church where I have preached for over 25 years I have preached about the issue only a few times. But we still sing without the instrument and through the years the Lord has opened the doors to many people that He has given us to teach and baptize. I know of no one who has been offended when they ask why we do not use the instruement. And we do not view it as what we are against but what we believe the scriptures teach about New Testament worship.
Mike’s Post on Social Justice from Sunday = 7 Comments
Mike’s Post on Instrumental Music from Sunday = 85+ (will go way over 100) Comments
Classic!
And Jesus went from town to town, healing their unsound doctrine and driving out pianos…
Does anyone want to buy a 2004 Hyndai with high mileage?
After reading the above comments, I’ve become convinced that God wants me to get around on foot. I’m pretty sure that is what the New Testament teaches on transportation.
Let me know.
Ray, I love you brother. I just cant believe that you think the new testiment church threw away all of their cymbals, drums, tamborines, whatever as Jesus came to separate the old from the new. How can it be ok to cross a river on dry land and set up camp and dance and clang cymbals, and whatever and then Jesus comes and says no more of that, sing and make melody in your heart. Jesus never talks against using instruments. I bet you listen to non acapella music on the radio or cds. What is different when you worhsip in the sanctuary.
I do love and respect your views, I hope this isnt to negative
Kent, I am ALL for a praise team so I can hear my part. Yes!! However, several I have seen turn into a show where they would rather you not sing and they sing to you. If I want a show, I will go to one. I would rather sing and praise God myself and not listen to someone else do it. That is all I am saying. It just irks me when I am told not to sing but to listen to them sing. I WANT TO SING dagnabit!!!
Jordan: “Some churches probably need to be “to the nines” ” Wow. That is a hot issue for me and I don’t want to highjack the thread but I would have to totally disagree with that statement and the word “need”.
I’ve seen the kind of Praise Team Tim is talking about — where worship is all about THEM, and they want you see how spiritual they are through their angelic voices and super-spiritual hand motions and facial expressions.
But most of the time, the Praise Team is a great blessing to the worship experience.
Also — a Praise Team is always better when they are backed by a full praise band (guitars, drums, bass, and keyboards).
Shall we start placing bets on how long it will be until Highland initiates an instrumental service? Right now, the smart money is 1.5 years or less.
Highland is already instrumental complete with i pod
Randy, No you are not being negative. Just stating your viewpoint.
There were a number of things Jesus never made comments about but he let his ambassadors comment on. His apostles. And they said we should sing. I do believe with all my hear that there is a difference in the old and new tesataments about worship. To me, in my undertanding of scripture , it is the difference between type and shadow and the reality found in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes I do listen to all kinds of music but there are many things I do in my life different from when I attend the worship assemblies of the church. Let the discussion continue.
My idea of an inspiring song service is the Prestoncrest Church in Dallas singing Tillit S. Teddlie songs led by Ray Walker. In my opinion the newer praise songs led by a so called praise team doesn’t hold a candle to this.
My parents go to a church in Nashville that is about to add an instrumental service “for growth.” I can take it or leave it, really. But I think the idea that an instrumental service will attract new members is a bit misguided, particularly when there is a Christian church with instrumental music on every street corner in town. Perhaps one of the most unique things the CoC has to offer is the a cappella singing. How will they be different once they add instruments? More importantly, I believe people are hungry for relationships. If seekers find and make genuine relationships with the people in the church, they will stay and the chuch will grow. The style of music doesn’t matter in the end.
Mike
Here is a friend’s blogging thoughts on Leroy’s article that comes at it from a different angle. Thought it would resonate with you. Continue to appreciate your writing and spirit.
http://travelersjournal.blogspot.com/2006/12/church-roots.html
Jennifer,
I am sorry without qualification. Please forgive me.
Those who are in favor of these changes claim that they are only methods to “reach” people, and that they base this decision on the fact that churches of Christ are leaking people like a rusty bucket. Two observations:
1. We started losing people at about the same time this “new” way of doing things came about, roughly in the 1970’s. As the church has grown more liberal in its theology and practices, more and more people are running away. Why do changes in churches always fly in the face of logic and actual outcomes?
2. If music is the “magic bullet” that is supposed to draw people in, then why are Baptist churches and non-denominational instrumental churches losing people as fast as we are?
What I fail to understand is, if 15% (or whatever the number is) of those in the churches of Christ want to have music in services, then why don’t they just cross the street to the Christian Church, where they can have “the usual with a side of music”? Why do they feel the need to force those of us who cherish our heritage and uniqueness into looking like everybody else? If you don’t like what we do, then go somewhere else. That’s not a “test of fellowship” statement, but a plea for “unity, not uniformity”.
To say this is a salvation issue is absolutely ludicrous, but why can’t the “changers” leave things alone for the rest of us (the majority), who see nothing wrong with the style of worship we already have? There is no rule saying that the changers can’t pool their resources and start a congregation that operates the way they see fit, instead of changing something that doesn’t need to be changed.
I predict that as these changes are made, we will see a further decline in the numbers, and an even sharper decline in the church’s capacity to reach others for Christ. I further predict that these outcomes will convince the church that even more changes are needed, such as women in the pulpit, a softened stance on the infallibility of the Bible, etc… If you don’t believe that, just look at the evidence of other denominations that have followed this path. The results are the same EVERY TIME.
Joel Quille’- YOu are one funny Cowboy… Praise God for Rick Atchley and his leadership. I grew up at Richland Hills and it was a blessing to be led by men who decided to make a stance on “salvation by grace”, even though it wasn’t what most other churches were preaching (70’s), deciding to “minister to people who had been through divorces,(80’s) “even though they were lamblasted by it, and using praise teams (early 90’s) when almost no one had them. A lot of people unfortunately have to spend years sheding legalism from their childhood, I feel blessed to have been raised by a church that loved people by and large and left the judging to the Judge. Not a perfect church by any means, but a wonderful one none the less. May God bless Rick and the elders as they continue to follow God and not men.