Rejected by the instrumentalists……
Hello all:
One of my kids in the youth group I lead is dating a guy that attends a large independent Christian Church. He comes fairly often with her, and I try to expound on the fact that the two churches aren’t that different and come from the same heritage.
On Sunday morning, she went to church with him at his congregation. She then came for Sunday night service at ours. While she was at his church, she invited the youth group there to come to the monthly devo and movie night that we hold once a month. I was pleased to hear that.
I was pleased, until she told me the youth ministers response. He said to her, “I don’t feel comfortable having my kids go visit a church that doesn’t use musical instruments.” He also told her that he was afraid his kids “might think a capella worship is better,” than worship with an instrument.
We certainly aren’t the only ones with a hand in our division…..
-Clarke
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July 17th, 2006 at 8:38
Hey Clarke,
That kind of thing serves as a reminder of the mistrust that can develop when we don’t communicate over a long period of time. Perhaps the solution is to start some humble and respectful communication with their youth minister (and other leaders). Hopefully trust can be developed.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:39
Here’s an idea for you. Find out when one of their youth activities is that they are expecting visitors to and bring your group. This would require you to talk to the parents and your minister about it (and that might just kill the idea all together), but rather than disappointment at their unwillingness to cross the divide to you, you just go to them. I know that once relationships are formed across the gap, division is harder to maintain.
In the least, you could go on your own with this girl and meet their youth minister.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:59
Wow! I always thought we had cornered the market on bone-headedness! I guess I was wrong.
I agree with Douglas. Go visit with them and form some relationships. Call the Youth Minister there and have lunch with him. Stay in their face. Peacemaking is hard work but it is worth the effort.
July 17th, 2006 at 14:07
LOL, Worship is worship right? I agree with Joel. Get some relationships going. We aren’t that different (as long as we don’t dwell on the differences). I’m a musician myself and a pastor. If I were to come to your church I wouldn’t bring my djembe and play along, I’d respect your form of worship, but if you were to come to my church, I wouldn’t expect you to clap along, but also recognize the freedom that is in Christ Jesus and respect our worship too. Communication must begin among the followers of Christ or we fail in the most fundemental way that Jesus calls us to Himself. To Love God and love others as ourselves.
July 18th, 2006 at 5:56
He seems very concerned about what the kids would think as opposed to focusing on worship.
July 18th, 2006 at 6:55
What this episode reminds us of is that “we” do not have the corner on sectarianism. There is not any real difference in his statement and a brother (or sister) saying “I can’t allow anyone to attend a function where there will be instrumental music.” It is sectism at its worst.
What is even more sad is the “youth minister” probably does not recognize his sectarianism. We are truly blind guides.
May God have mercy upon us,
Bobby Valentine
http://stoned-campbelldisciple.blogspot.com/
July 18th, 2006 at 10:56
Hah!
Kid was prolly scared to death. I wonder how long he’s been out of Bible College, if even.
Even so, I’m surprised. A lot of ICC youth ministers I know don’t care, and would welcome fellowship with a cappella Churches. I guess Sam Dawson is right, everyone thinks of themselves denominationally, so everyone gets defensive about what their doctrine is.
July 29th, 2006 at 5:51
I am also surprised also. Unless he is so ‘fearful’ that the youth group would be so indoctrinated by the mere contact. But may I say it… stupidity isn’t limited by what the sign says above the door.
I agree that lunch with the staff of both churches would be beneficial. But peace only comes when both parties determine to listen to Jesus Christ. So it says… “This is my Son with whom I am pleased… listen to him.”
September 11th, 2006 at 10:18
My first hunch is that it never happend. The story appears on its face to be a shrewd attempt to put a church with instruments in a bad light. However, since it was Clarke’s child, I must assume it is true.
If it did happen, what is the big deal? Lets not pretend that the reverse sort of sectarianism is not alive and healthy.
It is the mark of a poor Bible student who becomes exercised over what some church across town does or does not do in their worship gathering. (Unless they are smoking pot, having illicit sex, drinking to excess, etc.)
Men who are looked up to as “leaders” get worked up because people raise their hands (Biblical by the way) in prayer and praise, or dozens of other similar, unimportant acts, and denounce them as “liberal” or worse.
I am weary of people who claim to be “Christians only” and behave as if they have never heard of Christ, judged by the way they treat others who also claim Him as Lord. There are men in the coC who have made a career of impuning and slandering others who are not walking in lock step with them on every detail of the Sunday a.m. experience. I have found myself to be the target of “anynomous” emails from so called “brothers” who don’t have the Christian charity, or the courage, to engage in friendly discourse like grown men.
Clarke, I love your blog and visit it often. I suggest that your blog content is too lofty to entertain this sort of subject matter.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle