I recently attended the ZOE Group Worship Conference in Nashville, TN. It was a wonderful weekend. One of my “take aways” was a scriptural insight from a class taught by Brandon Scott Thomas, worship leader at Otter Creek Church in Nashville.
www.brandonscottthomas.blogspot.com
During one of his sessions, he walked us through the verses surrounding the oft-quoted passage Colossians 3:16:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
For years this passage has served as one of our movement’s main supports for our use of exclusive vocal worship music. It is with great regret that I admit that. Look at what is really being dealt with in this passage…the way we treat one another in the body of Christ. There is a long list of attributes describing the beautiful ways of relating we have in the body, and to think we have focused on “in your hearts” as instruction for worship is truly a shame.
I hereby repent of my false handling of this text, and will strive to uphold Paul’s admonitions to do my part as one person in the body of Christ. We are members of ONE body, not many. Those who worship with a guitar are my brothers & sisters, not my enemies. We may worship different ways, but we are members of one body. May God help us all as we strive to live as God’s chosen people. And may we have the self-discipline to refrain from proof-texting our preferences and traditions.
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2 comments:
Thanks for sharing your insight! I appreciate the way you do that. I know it took courage to step out there but I'm glad you did! It's time to stand with our brothers and sisters instead of against them!
Well said! Thank you for sharing some of the conference with us. I hope to be able to go some year!
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