I have really benefitted by reading the post & comments on Mike Cope's blog about the decision of the elders at the Richland Hills church of Christ to add an instrumental service on Sunday morning to their schedule. www.preachermike.com LOTS of viewpoints are represented, and I was forced to think through my approach to this issue.
Understanding that our elders have been very clear to our church about how we will worship God (solely a cappella) what are some of your reflections? I love a cappella music, and I'm thankful for our elders' clarity about how our church will express praise to God. But I also long for the day when we can articulate our practice with scriptural integrity (not making the Word say something it doesn't) and openness without a judgmental tone.
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6 comments:
I wish Murray had a counter on this blog so we could see how many readers stop by. Not many comments yet....in case anyone is afraid to be the first to step out there....allow me to share my opinion of the RHCC decision...
I love the decision RHCC made. I have struggled most of my adult c of c life trying to understand why it was "wrong" to worship with instruments. I don't think it is. I don't buy that the ONLY meaning behind the Ephesians 5:19 verse, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” refers to singing without instruments. I love that a lot of c of c's are realizing how judgmental and ridiculous we've sounded for the last few decades. There's so much more to life and worshipping God than fussing over "how" to worship. Not everyone does it the same and why do we expect that we all should?? We were all created in God's image but we were also uniquely made. I know God is looking at the heart of the worshipper. I would love for us all to unite together and come before the Lord with pure hearts, seeking to draw near to God and be changed by him when we worship.
It's time to put preferences aside and reach out to those who don't know Jesus at all. It seems silly to put so much emphasis on matters that aren't focused on salvation when our community is longing for a Savior that we know and they don't...yet!
Let's move on already!! I want to make a "real difference" in the Kingdom. Deciding whether or not instruments should or shouldn't be allowed doesn't put much "fruit on the vine". Let's reach out to our community and show Jesus!! That's where I want our church to spend their time "fussing"...which is the most effective way to reach people for the Lord? What about this idea....? Or have you thought of this...? etc. etc. etc.
Anyone else care to share???
Jaime
Murray,
Thanks for the post!
"Music" isn't a strong suit among the deaf. I'm not saying that deaf people "can't" sing or play an instrument. I have seen deaf people play so beautifully an instrument.
Though, I'm deaf personally, I love listening to "instrumental music" (cd or concert). I wear a hearing aid that helps me hear instrumental sounds. When I went to a church in Las Vegas (Central Christian Church), they had instrumental music, actually a band. We knew some of the songs but when we all sang the song along with the band, it was hard to follow. I couldn't hear everyone singing except the soloist using her mic. It is as if the instruments drowned out the a cappella singing. Was it an issue for me? Not really.. I appreciated the "beat" as it goes to help me go with the "rhythm" but probably too loud that drowns out a cappella. And, it's probably because I'm used to a cappella singing. When I forget my hearing aid, I don't hear the beautiful a cappella singing sung at Fairfax.
Most deaf people don't know the music. They simply "copy" the song leader. They don't close their eyes knowing the "rhythm" without relying on the song leader. They have to keep their eyes on the song leader and express the songs as signed. Could this be an "expression" as the song leader sang it, not from their hearts? Possible. I am not judging here, but occasionally, I observe the deaf congregants in their "expression of praise" to God. I am still struggling with the thought of how they're expressing God in praise, together! There's no "harmony" in our praise to God but just "flying our hands in the air"..
I learned that another church offers what is called, "Mechanical Bass Amplifier" which provides a "bass beat" for the deaf people to feel. When the song leader sings the songs, he does so with the aid of a "bass" to lead the deaf congregants in harmonious praise to God. It assists the "stone-deaf Christians" in expressing their praise to God. To some, it may be distracting having to feel the strong "bass" beating their bodies. To others, it helps them learn how "music" works leading them to express their praise to God.
Regardless of all that's happening today among the churches of Christ such as RH, I feel sad when people divide themselves from one other when it comes to a decision to have either/and a cappella - instrumental. If they were deaf, I believe it wouldn't be an issue. When I left my hearing aid at home, I do miss the a cappella singing. But I do feel for those who "isn't able to use a hearing aid" and isn't able to experience the beauty of a cappella. But they're able to experience the "beauty of music" through "bass".
Perhaps, all the hearing members and visitors ought to try and put "ear plugs" in their ears and worship with God on a Sunday with other believers. Boy, they're in for a huge disgust not being able to hear!! Unless, there's a "bass", they'll feel it which may fill their "void".
I'll just leave the rest up to God!
Mark just blew the whole thing out of the water by making us think about the deaf - and the necessity of them using a bass beat to even figure out the music! Never thought about that! I have struggled with this my entire life...yes, even before the c of c was making strides to add instruments to services... As a child, I learned to play the piano at the insistence of my mom...but was cautioned to NEVER play a hymn because it would be "wrong". It didn't make sense to me then...and it doesn't make sense to me now. When I play the piano, and use that unique gift that God GAVE me, I certainly "worship and praise" the God that gave me the talent to make music! I cannot describe the deep emotion I feel when beautiful music flows from my fingers...and if I were to ignore that God gave me that talent, THAT would be wrong! By not using that gift for HIS glory, I am actually violating his command to not waste my gifts! Pretty powerful thought.
Now, I agree that a capella is one of the most beautiful forms of music...and totally embrace it. I love my church home and have no plans to change...but I sincerely hope that we can put this "issue" where it belongs - it is not an issue of salvation - but of preference. And we have a huge responsibility to reach the lost who are currently not attending anywhere...That's where I choose to put my focus. Praise God!
I'm thankful that we have the freedom in this country to choose how we worship God! I have always been open to instrumental music in worship, but have also loved the sound of a cappella music...mainly because it is comfortable and feels like home. However, I have experienced such closeness to God during some instrumental times of praise. Tim and I are planning to check out FBCC's service on Saturday evenings. I hear it is wonderful! Thanks for your post, Murray!
I honestly don't know what my opinion fully is on this topic. But I do know one thing for sure...It shouldn't be made into an issue! There are so many more important things to discuss, like why our membership has plateu (spelling?) or even dropped. Why is it that we have been loosing many members to other churches in the area? We have all heard of the very few members who have left to go to a more 'conservative' church, but what about the MANY who left for other reasons?
Is this just satans way of dividing?
Matthew 22:37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
I have yet to find that it is unacceptable to use any gift you are given to do anything other than glorify God. That said, I think all the argument over instrumental worship seems to be distracting us from the Greatest Commandment.
I have friends who are deaf (thanks for sharing your perspective, Mark!), and others who are just tone deaf. So they might not make the "joyful noise" that Man finds appealing. I believe God hears the song in our heart, and whatever we can bring to worship - be it instrumental or signed or tearful or silent - is beautiful. But I'm not going to dwell on the topic long. I've just shared my opinion. All I have belongs to Him who created me.
Love and Blessings at this time of deep reflection.
Elaine
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