It was in the local paper. Here's a link:
Columbia Academy, a private PK-12 grade school and managed by the Church of Christ, recently adjusted the contracts of 5 teachers because they attended a church that allows musical instruments. The teachers now have to choose between being a member of their current church and lose their job or dissolve their membership at church and keep their job.
What caused this reaction by the school board? Apparently, the church that the teachers attend had a worship service where they used musical instruments in worship. What's the big deal with that? Well, the Church of Christ has a belief and long-standing tradition that states that when there is a worship service, all the singing should be done a capella. There are no musical instruments allowed whatsoever: no pianos, no organs, no guitars, no drums, no nuthin.
They base this on an interpretation of Scripture (which I totally disagree with) and the logic goes like this: stringed instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament but not in the New Testament. Since we are a New Testament church, we do not need to follow how the Old Testament describes worship. We need to follow how the New Testament describes worship. The New Testament never mentions instruments. The closest it comes to describing music in worship is a verse from Ephesians 5.19-20 which says: "Speak to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." So that means the only instruments that should be used in worship should be voices and nothing else.
I totally disagree with this interpretation. It would be similar to saying that since cars aren't mentioned in the Bible, then I don't have to go the posted speed limit. Or, since the Old Testament mentions rainbows, then they must not exist right now in the New Testament era. C'mon!
A great worship statement that comes the closest to what we Lutherans believe is one out of Gloria Dei in Houston Texas. Link is below:
The church that used musical instruments in worship is Maury Hills. They have been attacked from many members and leaders in the Church of Christ community, most notably Northview Church of Christ. I have been very impressed with the response of the Maury Hills leaders to the criticism and attacks laid against them. (a link to their worship statement is below).
http://www.mauryhills.com/pdf/hilltops/Dear%20Maury%20Hills%20Family.pdf
In the end, we Lutherans thought that fighting over traditional verses contemporary worship was a huge battle we face, but when you look at this, our battles seem like no-brainers!
Also, I can't even imagine what a non-believer thinks about the whole situation. If I were not a Christian and I saw this in the paper, it would just be another reason why I wouldn't want to be a Christian, let alone a member of a church.
I heard this thought a while ago and I share it now more than ever:
"The more I get to know Jesus, the more I hate Christians."
While this statement is a strong statement, it forces me to really look at my walk with Jesus and to re-evaluate what really matters in worship. What really matters is the focus of worship: is it about me or about God? If it's about God, then we can use any instrument, format, style, etc. to serve worshipping God.
Of course, I wonder what the students think of all this at Columbia Academy. They've created a Facebook group that expresses some of the students' frustration and anger about this action. I'm sure this has colored graduation ceremonies and celebrations. How unfortunate.
I pray that as I walk with Christ, I would avoid being judgemental and narrow-minded but that I focus on what really matters: living an authentic and genuine walk with Jesus and watching God's grace work in my life despite all the times I mess up.
