Last updated on 9/10/00

Viewpoint Brief Bible Study #011
		JESUS calls US to be members of His church
The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide.

A Proposal For Evangelism
by "A Worship Leader" At A 1997 Convention Session
 Click to see the 12/20/97 comment now.

   I testify truly that I recently sat through a "worship" experience intended to bring me into the very presence of God. It was at a convention that has become very popular among many undenominational Christians aligned with the "Restoration Movement" whose early prominent leaders were Stone and Campbell.

    The convention itself used to be a preaching convention. Featured in past years were the very best orators of our Movement, and other, excellent speakers for Christ who were not part of our particular fellowship. And song services were enthusiastic expressions of our shared faith, using well-known hymns which expressed in mature language thoughts of devotion and exhortation. We sang the several stanzas of these hymns with gusto, and many present were brought close to God by the thoughts there expressed.

    The speaker at the evening service in an arena designed to seat more than 10,000 people was a long-time friend of mine, David Bycroft. His message was, as usual, very much worth hearing. He urged his hearers to DO what they knew God wanted them to do. He was brought on to speak more than 90 minutes after the service began. Prior to his message the service of singing included two full stanzas of one hymn, and two choruses and one stanza of one other hymn! Real worship in song!, some might say.

    Then there were several little parts of songs repeated several times in an attempt to bring all present into a state -- of stupor, perhaps, with loud accompaniment so everyone would think everyone else was singing (from the loudness of sound accompanying the experience). And several special songs that several present may have liked quite a bit, to judge from the level of applause which followed each. I almost applauded also, in relief that each one was finished and done with.

    But the particular matter which I assumed all my readers would benefit most from learning about was the "prayer" of instruction requested by the "worship leader."

    He assured us that the way to evangelize in this generation was by coming together (in the church house, usually, I gathered) and there sing the little ditties now popular with "worship leaders," singing with great gusto and enthusiasm so as to show the guests (seekers, no doubt) how thoroughly YOU believed in the message of the ditty, if there were indeed a message there as the "worship leader" thought. If you sang pleasantly and loudly enough, this would convert the seeker into a finder, and thus the church would grow daily as the early church did.

    Yes, the method of church growth proclaimed in my hearing was by going to the church house and smiling broadly at everyone around, and singing loudly in the hearing of all present, and those present who were not Christians would be so impressed that they would soon become Christians so they could join in these delightful exercises. Whether Christ was preached wouldn't matter. Your singing and smiling and laughing and clapping would make the difference!

    And the way the prayer itself is to be accomplished was that each two or three or four sitting near one another were to join hands and let one of their number pray aloud for the minute or so that "public prayer" was being done. Oh, we did see and hear NEW, wonderful methods of "doing church" at this evening meeting.

    I understand that many of the happy churches from which attenders at this convention came from do similar things now in their meetings. Perhaps I'm the only one who prefers a public prayer where one voice can be heard by all who are present. It may be that I'm the only one who wants to sing four or five stanzas -- meaningful stanzas, of several hymns during a "song service" led by a "song leader."

    It may be that somewhere in the Word of God these new methods are proposed and promoted. Some of the ditties now being used as adult "youth choruses" are word for word from the King James bible, so they MUST be good music -- always assuming that the music is also inspired, which may not be so obvious. Probably it is good praying when everyone can hear everyone but none can hear anyone pray specifically for anything. Or maybe not.

    This new method of evangelism will surely simplify church work. Instead of going out into the community, seeking lost ones, you invite everyone to come in and see and hear you grinning and having a grand time with children's choruses. Since this will make everyone feel good about themselves and their chortling hosts, your numbers will soon multiply and then everyone together can have a grand time -- at the church building. No doubt they'll know without being taught that they then should be honest, loving witnesses to their families and friends just like those "worshippers" were whose enthusiasm during the church services won the seekers to the friendly church where all these good things happen. O.K.?

    By the way, I heard that in two previous services of this particular convention, two powerful messages of Bible truth by Sam Stone and Chris DeWelt pointed the way to true practice of the Christian religion. I didn't get to attend those sessions, for which I'm sorry. For to have to report that the one I did get to attend was a sorry disappointment to me is no pleasure at all.

    We do still have several area conventions where the gospel is preached enthusiastically and strongly, and where Christian songs mature saints might be expected to be able to enjoy together are being sung with power and pleasure. I've also recently attended lectureships of brethren who sing without accompanying musical instruments where very powerful Bible preaching was featured. Meetings such as the Tulsa Soul-Winning Workshop in mid-America, and JUBILEE!, in Tennessee are uplifting experiences, I'm told. And probably most sessions are more encouraging than the one which proved something of a disappointment to me.

    I can report that the fellowship with other brothers and sisters is an outstanding feature of any gathering of Restorationist Christians.

    But I do wish I could report that the North American Christian Convention is still a meeting which features our very best preachers, and gives them time to put forth their best efforts in opening to all hearers the Word of Life. The one session I sat through did not FEATURE preaching. Rather, it seemed to graciously allow a little of it during a lot of what was called "worship."

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After reading the above remarks, my friend CHARLES PHIPPS wrote,     A gathering of the saints should be a 'time out' for refueling. The church at work is out in the battlefield, like paramedics, bringing first-aid to the wounded, and transporting them to the Great Physician for healing.

    Christian meetings were not the means Jesus chose by which His disciples are to win the world. We don't fulfill the great commission while sitting in church pews or usually by playing in church-league teams (though here there is SOME chance of telling someone about Jesus).

    Jesus put the emphasis on being 'out and among them.' Powerful gospel preaching gave impetus to the explosive expansion of the church in its early days. The only reference in Acts (of Apostles) to regular assembly of a church group was in Troas in Acts 20. Luke reports that they met "to break bread" (which likely included the Supper of Remembrance), and then shared in a lengthy study of the apostles' doctrine. There's never any mention of a song leader or a worship leader, tho' someone surely was in charge in order to keep things orderly as Paul directs they should be.

    "The picture in Revelation is that of the redeemed in eternal worship after they have left this life (they have died). God calls this 'entering into My rest.' But the church has not at that time DIED. Far from it! The church has not yet entered into that rest.

    The Word is that now is the day of salvation. While we're alive on earth, we still can seek the lost and help them find salvation in Jesus. Our assignment, one and all, is to preach the Gospel to everyone on earth. However obvious one's zealous dedication and enjoyment may be to others, participating in a "worship" service won't get the evangelizing job done.

    To do all in the name of the Lord, and to the glory of God, is to worship. But a "worship service" doesn't do it all (see Romans 12:1,2)."    -- Charles Phipps

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    Also, in study 64 is a comment by Bill Althoff about what I've said above, plus my reactive remarks. Is it never right to say that something is not as good as it should be??? If you have time, take a look now at Viewpoint Study #64... And here's a comment received 12/20/97 from a friend who prefers that I not say here who he is -- his comment is concerning a portion of the study above which is quoted here next:

TO WHICH I REPLIED --  Subject: Re: conventions & worship
Date sent: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 11:57:49
Good Friend,   Your gracious comments are much appreciated, and would not be inappropriately added to any study I've written or will write. I hope in due time you will feel comfortable with my sharing your thoughts with whoever else reads what I send out. You obviously recognize that my purpose in sending them out is to INVITE thought and discussion.

Which is, as I read Paul, what our Christian assemblies should always be for -- edification by listening to one another. When we feel something that's being done could be better done is some varying way, it's not wrong to say so. But in general we try to avoid embarrassment for ourself or others by not making a big stink over some little thing.

In recent years, I've seen a change away from song leaders and song services to "worship leaders" and "worship services." The worship leaders use few if any full-length "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" and prefer instead repetitious, mindless, brief bits of what they think is music. This style came from Pentecostals who emphasize feelings rather than thoughtful faith. We've adopted it. And we've lost what may be very good for what almost never is good at all. If that doesn't make Christians angry, I wonder why.

You mention that excellent song services in the past also have generally not reached your heart, which is disappointing to me, but understandable. I love music, and am reached by excellently-produced music of many styles. It's depressing that so little good music is being used in our churches and conventions today. It's been replaced by poor music which some prefer. I see no choice but to say so while I have breath. I'd like to say so in a way that others can understand and will pay attention to. You suggest that there may be wrong ways to try to gain a hearing. I'm sure you're right.

At the Missouri convention, I want to see NO worship leader, NO worship team, NO musical instruments to compete with thoughtful words sung by Christians who are attentive to the deep thought being expressed in full-length songs. I'll appreciate any help you might choose to give me in reversing the nursery-style which has been adopted in recent years. Our singing used to be enthusiastic when we all joined in well-known "favorite hymns." Now most of the sound comes from those on the platform. This is not an improvement. How grand to hear from you!!!

> Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 11:10:12 -0500       Subject: conventions & worship
> To: Ray Downen <outreach@sofnet.com>

> P.S. I assume that by now my "PS" is unnecessary. I do not write to have my  thoughts circulated. I am merely trying to understand and be understood.

RAY WRITES -- Since posting the e-mail note of which the above is a part, I've received a reply I hope each reader may find interesting. It's from Gary Washburn --

Gary,

Thanks for sharing! I hope your desire to honor God through singing which is appreciated by young people as well as older ones continues to accomplish much good where you are serving. I'll post your comments in my Study #11 in hopes that others will there read it and be blessed. My feeling about congregational singing is made reasonably clear in previous writings. The more I hear the "new style," the more I grow to prefer NO instruments with congregational songs.

As for what is "scriptural," there should be little question about whether or not any practice is scriptural. If the Bible teaches it, or shows it being done with apostolic approval, then it IS scriptural. Meeting as a congregation but where members of the congregation have NO opportunity to share with other members while all who do have any public part in the meeting are the few who always do "lead" is not scriptural, as I see it. In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul writes to encourage orderly participation by gifted members of the congregation who take turns in sharing with the group. I see no scriptural mandate to have "worship services" such as we today are having and which you defend graciously.

> From: GWashb6065 <GWashb6065@aol.com>
> Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 17:46:07 EST   > To: outreach@sofnet.com
> Subject: Re: conventions & worship

> I am a worship leader. I have never affirmed that my position is "scriptural" - whatever that means. Nor do I believe it is anti-scriptural. Our two services are neither completely the older style of traditional worship nor the newer style of contemporary worship. We use worship teams for both services, including three singers, a keyboard player, a guitarist, a flutist, and a drummer. We sing both traditional hymns and newer choruses in a blended format. We almost never have a service without a hymn, and some Sundays we use all hymns.

> The musical portion of our service lasts 10-15 minutes. The sermon is about 30 minutes. Communion/offering take about 15 minutes. Rarely does our service exceed 60 minutes, due to the tightness of our schedule: worship service - Bible School classes - worship service.

Here's the point of my response: Why does one style of service have to be "right" and another "wrong" or (choose desired adjective). Traditional styles seem to be the ones which mostly appeal to the older generation. Great!!!!!

But younger generations [Ray says -- I know some young people who LOVE good music, traditional hymns, and who do NOT find the new "style" either good music or usually correct doctrine] don't find that traditional style appealing. Can we accept and respect both "styles"? Do we have to pick up sides and do battle over something that is clearly left in the realm of discretion? Instead of forcing everyone to buy into the "style" of those in control, can't we affirm that any style that takes the Lord to people where they are is good?

Ray, having been in ministry full-time for 26 years, but now in the business world for the past four years, I see things from a completely different perspective than ever before. One of the reasons the communities in which our churches are located doesn't take us seriously is because we take ourselves too seriously. We make so many things - which in the grand scheme are pretty inconsequential - to be Custer's Last Stand! They see us battling over things like this, and just chuckle as they walk away. We're majoring in minors.

I agree with one statement your respondent made - I too am a pragmatist. If a method is consistent with the great principles of the Word, and if has the potential to effectively reach people for Christ, then by all means give it a shot. If it doesn't work, then dump it and find something that does. Old way, new way - what difference does it make if it is a method or procedure or strategy that draws souls to the Lord? No method is forever. We nail our own coffin shut when we make any human style or method a test of fellowship. God is much bigger than that.

And a final comment by Ray -- "Traditional" hymns are sometimes very good, sometimes good, and sometimes not very good. Some are very bad. Likewise with the new very short pieces of music we call "worship choruses." A few are superb. Most are not good music and are a terrible waste of time we intend to be spent for God. The good choruses should be welcomed by all Christian musicians. They should be sung once, starting at the front and stopping when the end has been reached. How's that for stating an opinion? I also appreciate Gary's fine writing in behalf of his differing opinion.

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Brief Bible Study #11 from Ray Downen. To go back to
Viewpoint's first page, click < here.   Or here to go on to Viewpoint Study 12.
                      For Ray's concluding remarks, click HERE.