by Matt Clifton
According to news reports at Brotherhood News and an interview with The Oklahoman, Quail Springs Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, Ok., added an instrumental worship service on Sunday, Jan. 27.
The congregation’s pulpit minister, Mark Henderson, said in the interview with The Oklahoman that he understands fully the lack of biblical authority for the use of musical instruments in the New Testament. However, he and the elders of the congregation are interpreting the silence as freedom to do what they please in the worship, and thus begins the slippery slope.
There are plenty of theological arguments against the use of mechanical instruments of music in the worship. Some can be found on this site. What I would like to discuss is the boldness with which congregations like Richland Hills and Quail Springs are acting, alienating brethren. They are calling to mind the 1906 split with their actions, when faithful brethren were told “accept the instrument or leave.”
Henderson says that out of their approximately 900 member congregation, 300 walked out, many in tears, the day the instrumental service was announced. Henderson also says that the leadership’s position is that people are “free to worship with or without the instrument.” What it amounts to, then, is that Henderson and the eldership at Quail Springs are willing to watch 300 Christians walk out so they can have their instruments.
Why do they want the instrument? Henderson gives two reasons:
One is we want to keep more of our people that were leaving to go to instrumental churches. One of the ways I would describe it is the way we handled it doctrinally. We essentially said you are free to worship with instruments and you are free to worship without them. From just a doctrinal biblical standpoint, we, for a number of years, have treated this as a nonissue. And so to me it seems like we were giving our people freedom to leave. We were saying you’re free to worship with instruments “” just not here. So one of things we’re trying to do is for those people who really connect more with instrumental music, even of our own people, we’re trying to give them a greater opportunity to stay and to worship and to serve and be a part of the church here.
In a desire to retain members who want to worship in a non-authorized manner, the congregation decided to add a worship service with a non-authorized practice! How’s that for shaping oneself after the world?
Henderson offered another reason:
The other thing we’re trying to do is to reach some people that we’ve been missing. We don’t do polls and surveys or exit interviews with people who are guests here, so all I can share is anecdotal evidence from some of our members. It’s interesting: One member will say, “I brought a guest, and they didn’t have any concerns about our worship style. They said the singing was beautiful, and they couldn’t believe how impressed they were with the a cappella worship.” And another member would say, “I brought a guest, and they really liked the church and everything, but they’re asking us what’s the deal with the musical instruments, and I really can’t get over this worship style.”
So once again, the reasoning is that Quail Springs can grow if they allow the instrument in! What they’ve done is trade 300 faithful brethren for a possibly larger group with itching ears.
What’s next for Quail Springs? Now that they have allowed an unauthorized practice into the worship in order to draw people in, what else will they add to draw the masses? Perhaps “lighten up” on the plan of salvation? Quarterly observance of the Lord’s supper? Where will it end?
With the slippery slope Quail Springs is on, it is clear where it will end: Quail Springs will be just another denomination, failing to adhere to the New Testament pattern. Let the elders and Henderson be accountable for what they have done.
And let all Christians be in prayer for these men that they may repent of this action.
Tags: Instrumental Music, Quail Springs
It is sad to know that these people allow instruments to please the men. Worship is not meant to please the men but to Praise Him. If any worship Him in their own ways its is useless and vain. There is no other options to worship. We have to follow what was said.
Here in India people used some tricks like false miracles,false tongues, false healing etc and also attract the people by building the buildings. It is sad.
The challenge from here for all church members is to act with love, mercy and grace as Jesus did and continues to do, and not in a pharisaical way that condemns every person who doesn’t agree. After all, Christ didn’t even come to condemn the world, but the save the world through him. How can we take the condemnation approach if we are to be like Christ? Expecially when they have been baptized in the name of Jesus for salvation.
Good thoughts, Lee. But at what point should Christians practice the admonition to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them?” (Eph. 5:11).
Someone may say calling out a preacher for promoting a false teaching as “minor” as instrumental music in the worship is ridiculous.
But I ask, “How dark does darkness have to be before we awaken and expose it?”
Are you saying that worshipping with instruments is darkness? How is it false teaching?
So, 300 people who had the day before claimed that the other 600 were “family” washed their hands of those “family members” and walked away because one of the brothers was going to play a guitar? It’s no wonder we wear the scorn of unbelievers. In actions like this, my fellow Christians become the greatest obstacle to the Gospel among the lost.
Good thing there is One who “sticketh closer than a brother”… or a “brotherhood”.
And to refer to a common act of worship as an “unfruitful work of darkness” stretches the definition of that phrase into the realm of the absurd.
I saw the attack ad against Mark Henderson and was ashamed of the petty and malicious witness it spread all over Oklahoma– with my Lord’s name attached to it. I was born, raised, and preached in the Church of Christ. These people make me ashamed to admit it.
It is not the disagreement over doctrine that grieves the Father. It is the proud willingness to divide His household over those disagreements. Love may cover a multitude of sins, but apparently it doesn’t cover a piano.
Matt,
The question here is more like “Which darkness are we going to challenge?” The “darkness” of a church of Christians who are doing what they feel is best to serve the Lord and reach others? Or the darkness of true sin and depravity in the world?
We need to take a step back and decide who the real enemy is. Satan is having a field day getting Christians to spend all of their time and energy attacking other Christians and alienating the world in the process.
The world is looking at this infighting and wanting nothing to do with it.
Quail Spring has made their decisions, whether you agree with them or not. They are still worshiping and serving God. If this is the darkness you are concerned about, then Satan has succeeded in blinding us to the real condition of the world.
I have a legitimate, non-judgmental question to ask: What about all the non-saved who have been led to salvation through attending concerts by such artists ranging from Steve Green and Sandy Patti to Third Day and Rich Mullins? Certainly the use of instruments is appropriate in this manner, and clearly the Bible states where two or more are gathered in HIS name, there Christ is. Can this not be worship?
I an beginning to have great difficulty in viewing instrumental music in the assembly as an unfruitful work of darkness as Paul mentions in Ephesians 5:11
This instrumental music seems to produce in ones spirit much of what Paul refers to as fruit of the Spirit such as gentleness,love, etc. Ephesians 5:22 It does not appear to produce unfruitful works of darkness other than Christians divided over something God is silent on.
How do scriptures of the New Testament show IM is a an unfruitful work of darkness when much of it seems to produce fruit of the Spirit in one?
I find scriptures silent on IM or not IM being anything.
Can you provide the scriptures revealing that IM is an unfruitful work of darkness. I do not find it listed with works of the flesh at Galatians 5:19-21.
Thanks,
ollie
[...] a recent article, I discussed the decision of the leaders of Quail Springs church of Christ in Oklahoma City to add [...]
Lee, please see this response:
http://the7ones.com/2008/02/11.....-darkness/
Thank you, and God bless.
Charles, the 300 were forced out by the leadership’s decision. What of Paul’s admonitions to do nothing that will cause one’s brother to stumble (Romans 14)? By bringing in the instrument, Quail Springs sided with an unknown future group of people for the fellowship of the brotherhood.
Charles, if we readily accept instrumental music, what are ready to accept next in order to grow?
Infant baptism? Female elders and preachers? Where will it end?
God bless, and thanks for reading.
Cary,
It would be incorrect to assume that those who are opposing the addition of musical instruments into the worship are not also opposing what you would see as “more serious” issues.
We should opposed ALL digressions from the will of God.
And the question is not if they are worshipping, but if they are worshipping in spirit and in truth, John 4:24.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate you taking time to write.
Tim,
Thanks for the question. In response, I would say first of all that the singers and groups in question may not be leading people into the path of salvation as taught in the scriptures. See this link on this sight, study the scriptures cited, and see if those singers are teaching the same thing.
http://the7ones.com/2007/04/09.....to-heaven/
Secondly, here is a good article that discusses the sin of “will worship” as found in the scriptures. Please consider the idea that one can call what they do “worship” and still not be pleasing God.
http://www.christiancourier.co.....an_worship\
May God bless you as you seek His will!
Ollie,
Please consider this article in reference to your question:
http://the7ones.com/2008/02/11.....-darkness/
Also, visit the Christian Courier for a good discussion on will worship:
http://www.christiancourier.co.....an_worship
God bless. Please let me know if I can assist you in your study.
Romans 14:1-8
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to worship with instruments, but another man, whose faith is weak, worships without instruments. 3 The man who worships with instruments must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not worship with instruments must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One man considers a non-instrumental worship service more sacred than another with instruments; another man considers both types of worship services to be the same . Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards non-instrumental worship as best, does so to the Lord. He who worships with instruments, worships to the Lord, for he gives praise to God; and he who abstains from instrumental worship, does so to the Lord and gives praise to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Steve, how about plugging the instrument into this one also:
1Co 8:13 Therefore, if food [the instrument] makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat [play the instrument in worship], lest I make my brother stumble.
Quail Springs is wrong to violate scripture in this matter, and wrong to drive out 300 brothers in Christ for the lure of bigger crowds. There is just no getting around this fact.
May He bless you,
Matt
Matt,
I agree with you on the point you raised. I believe they were wrong to foist this on the congregation when so many were opposed to it. Still, I don’t think that is why so many are attacking QS right now…I believe it is strictly over the issue of IM (with which I have no scriptural problem) e.g., Romans 14:1-8. And on the other side of the I Cor. 8:13 coin, we have those who would hold veto power over an entire congregation based on some belief specific to them. Are you will to do away with VBS, water fountains, church building ownership, etc., all because it offends one person? But let me reiterate, I believe QS was wrong to foist this on the entire congregation when so many have a conscience-problem with it.
Steve
Thanks Steve. I would love to talk with you about the IM issue on a more in-depth basis.
But, just let me say that the point I was making about Romans 14 is that if Quail Springs thinks IM is not a matter of doctrine, then they should agree to govern themselves by the Bible’s admonition to “never again eat meat” if they truly want to serve Christ.
However, I see IM as different from the “doubtful things” Paul talks about. Music is part of the worship. It is not a “doubtful thing.” Singing alone is commanded, so therefore in my understanding the type of music allowed in the worship assemble is not in doubt. It’s vocal only.
If you would like to study this with me privately or on a message board where we can converse more easily, just let me know.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Steve.
Matt,
Thanks for your comments.
Matt said, “But, just let me say that the point I was making about Romans 14 is that if Quail Springs thinks IM is not a matter of doctrine, then they should agree to govern themselves by the Bible’s admonition to “never again eat meat” if they truly want to serve Christ.”
Rest assured, I understood the point you were making and agree wholeheartedly. If one-third of the entire fellowship walked out the door, then I believe the wrong decision has been made. I’m not sure how large a number must oppose something before it becomes a sin to implement it despite their objections, but I’m pretty sure 300 is over the line (in my humble opinion, anyway). What is the line? Truthfully, I don’t know. I think each situation should be judged according to its own unique set of circumstances…and even then there will be a variety of opinions.
Matt said, “However, I see IM as different from the “˜doubtful things’ Paul talks about. Music is part of the worship. It is not a “˜doubtful thing.’ Singing alone is commanded, so therefore in my understanding the type of music allowed in the worship assemble is not in doubt. It’s vocal only.”
This is where we part company. I believe it depends on which side of the issue you stand. Those who have a problem with special days or the eating of meat sacrificed to idols (or instrumental music, for that matter) doubt the liberty to partake of such things and cannot, in good conscience, do them. Nor should they be forced to, or imposed on with regard to such things. Those who practice these things have no such hesitancy. This is exemplified all across the spectrum: One-cupper, non-instrumentalists to multi-cupper, instrumentalists.
Matt, while I truly do appreciate your offer to study this issue more in depth, I’m afraid it wouldn’t do either of us any good at this point. I believe it would be necessary to go back much further, into the roots of worship patternism, hermeneutical rationale, and restoration goals. Plus, (and please believe me when I say this) I have studied IM to death: scripture relating to it (or the lack thereof) in both the Old and New Testaments; studies of the Greek words and the wording which surrounds such texts; countless sermons and class lectures preaching and teaching against it; essays espousing its value. I’ve pretty much settled on the side of it being a non-issue.
As for my own personal preferences? I love a cappella, as that is a part of the traditional worship format of the CoC I attend. I do not want that to change.
In Christ,
Steve
You might want to think about the fact that these are the same few who set out to restructure the Church of Christ a time back. None of them could have read the context or story line of their proof texts.
Because I have read most of the “unity” presentations which turned out to be a full court press from the NACC agents, and reviewed many of the books, it is clear that they are reading off the NACC script. I was challenged to refute the Farmer’s Branch paper and all of the presentations have followed that premise.
The fact is that they have all lied about each instance of an “instrument” in the Old Testament, cannot seen any repudiation in the New Testament and lie about the Church Fathers.
Secondly, if you grasp the meaning of words and the three sects Paul confronted in Romans 14 you will see that he outlaws all of those practices simply IDENTIFIED by their diet in the marketplace. All three sects were highly addicted to arousing people with singing and instruments.
Without dipping his pen Paul writes Romans 15 to define the assembly process where he uses the words for “synagogue.” He defines the teaching one another with “that which is written” as the way to edify or educate, glorify God, comfort with Scripture and keep the unity.
Romans 14 would define Jesus casting out the musical minstrels like dung (as prophesied) and consigning the pipers, singers and dancers to the Agora or marketplace. There is where you identified sects by their diet (not in church) and that is where all of the performing (Hypocritic) religious practices took place. The ekklesia (church) was for vocal instruction only.
Remember the lied and no one seems to be aware of it.
Steve,
Yes, we differ greatly on IM. Whereas meat and special days have no part or parcel in the worship setting, music does. To offer a different kind of music than the one proscribed by the Bible is a violation of God’s will.
Good to talk to you, perhaps our paths will cross again. I’d love to talk to you about it privately at any time.
God bless!
It may seem hopeless to some to write and admonish those who condone any type of “worship” on the grounds that biblical silence equals a license to practice whatever pleases the masses. However, the bible calls for us as Christians to “warn the unruly” (I Thes 5:14), “mark them which cause divisions and offenses…and avoid them” (Rom 16:17); “yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (II Thes 3:15).
Therefore, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you, within the Quail Springs congregation; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.
When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible for all to teach and admonish one another through singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord (Col 3:16): for in your separate assemblies some practice a “contemporary” form of worship, with the use of mechanical instruments, while others follow the biblical pattern of singing with the fruit of their lips—one is entertained and the later is edified.
What, have ye not houses to entertain yourselves in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that would rather worship in spirit and truth? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.
For I received of the Lord that which the scriptures teach, that the Lord’s body in the first century spoke to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord (Eph 5:19).
It is commendable of the 300 members who chose to wear the whole armor of God (reminiscent of the 300 Spartans) despite the odds they faced. Unfortunately, the remainder are “puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that [they] that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (I Cor 5:2).
It is my plea that the church at Quail Springs will repent and pray that their divisiveness may be forgiven…(Acts 8:22, 23).
In brotherly love,
Darrel Collier
Temple, TX
It may seem hopeless to some to write and admonish those who condone any type of “worship” on the grounds that biblical silence equals a license to practice whatever pleases the masses. However, the bible calls for us as Christians to “warn the unruly” (I Thes 5:14), “mark them which cause divisions and offenses…and avoid them” (Rom 16:17); “yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (II Thes 3:15).
Therefore, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you, within the Quail Springs congregation; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.
When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible for all to teach and admonish one another through singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord (Col 3:16): for in your separate assemblies some practice a “contemporary” form of worship, with the use of mechanical instruments, while others follow the biblical pattern of singing with the fruit of their lips—one is entertained and the later is edified.
What, have ye not houses to entertain yourselves in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that would rather worship in spirit and truth? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.
For I received of the Lord that which the scriptures teach, that the Lord’s body in the first century spoke to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord (Eph 5:19).
It is commendable of the 300 members who chose to wear the whole armor of God (reminiscent of the 300 Spartans) despite the odds they faced. Unfortunately, the remainder are “puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that [they] that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (I Cor 5:2).
It is my plea that the church at Quail Springs will repent and pray their divisiveness be forgiven…(Acts 8:22, 23).
In brotherly love,
Darrel Collier
Temple, TX
The thing is that it is not a new issue that the “enlightened” are pushing. Many great religious leaders in the past addressed the very same topic and found that Instrumental Music in the Worship of the church is not in accordance with scripture. Just recently I did some research on the reformers and their view of instrumental music and most who tried to stand on scripture alone found IM to be wrong.
You can read my article on it at http://ayoungpreacher.com/the-.....-music.htm
peace be with you all
cliff
Dear Charles. You do something I find interesting. When you said,
Why would you place the blame on the 300? You assign blame not on the ones that introduced the divisive matter. Would you prefer that they stay and defile they conscience?