With concern, I reflect upon the proposal of an eldership in Alabama to change their worship to God. With respect, this congregation has a standing fellowship in Christ. I am thankful for their faith in Christ and His resurrection. I am happy to be united with them in the one baptism (Eph 4:5). The elders of the Hunter Hills church are commendable for standing against those who may lord over the congregation. Some elderships have seen themselves as rulers dictating over their flocks. I am thankful and encouraged by their weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper on the Lord’s Day. I hope and pray that this congregation will continue to first turn to Christ’s words and to those words that He gave to His Apostles and prophets as found in the Scriptures (John 16:13; 17:8; 1 Cor 2:13; Eph 3:3–5; 2 Tim 3:16–17). Christ is infallible, and so are His words including His words about worship.
While this congregation currently presents that their singing is acapella, their eldership has considered the proposal of some in their congregation to add musical instruments to their singing in worship, praise, and edification. In their effort to get away from legalism, they appear to
have gone too far in another extent. Knowing that obedience comes from faith and love (Jas 2:14–26; 1 John 5:2–3), believers can get distracted and no longer be compelled by the love of God to observe all that Christ commanded (Matt 28:20; John 14:21–24). This eldership has overlooked Jesus’s teaching that worship is no longer of David’s institution of fleshly worship in Jerusalem, but rather God seeks true worshipers to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:19–24). They have missed that music without meaningful words is prohibited for worship according to Christ’s Spirit in 1 Corinthians 14:7–19. No longer is worship like the carnal worship of the Old Covenant, which described a figure of true Christian singing. Even in heaven, the singing is prevalent and sounds like thunder, many waters, and harps in Revelation (Rev 5:8–10; 14:2–3; 15:2–4; cf. Rom 12:1; 1 Pet 2:9).
This eldership declared, “scripture does not prohibit the use of instrumental music in our assembly,” they have fallen for the trap of thinking that “If God does not prohibit it, then God permits it.” By believing that “silence permits,” they have done like others who overreacted by believing “silence always excludes.” This eldership has accepted a similar reasoning to that of the pro-homosexual movement, who claim that, “Jesus said nothing about homosexuality, and thus it is acceptable to God.” However, Jesus did address marriage and fornication (Mark 7:20–23; 10:1–12), and He did address worshiping God in spirit and truth (John 4:20–24; cf. Heb 2:12). Many have fallen into this same reasoning used to justify abortion, polygamy, baptizing infants, church hierarchies, church campuses, and so forth. Some people reason that, “Jesus did not condemn abortion, and therefore it is acceptable.” Since Jesus did not explicitly proclaim that these are wrong, many has missed what Jesus has spoken and they have moved to live by their own form of righteousness.
My plea to the leaders of this congregation and those of like mind is to think further about the infallibility and perfection Jesus and His words (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Therefore, let us not add or take from what Jesus has established. For this point, apply the same admiration and respect for what Christ declared in the institution of His Lord’s Supper to singing. Remember that Jesus said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the grapevine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt 26:29). Would it be right to change that fruit of the grapevine for another drink or to add something to the grape juice? See, Christ instituted worship in His perfect infallibility. Therefore, let us apply this to Christian praise to God. By Christ’s Spirit, the inspired writer spoke, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15). Like the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s praise is “the fruit of the lips” and humankind cannot change this, because Christ is perfect and so are His words. Let us continue to worship with meaningful words and sublimely meaningful traditions commanded by God.
Please, consider further the Truth about true worship in singing spiritual songs here: “Why Do Churches of Christ Not Use Musical Instruments?,” and a similar article here: “Do David’s Instruments Have a Place in True Worship?”
Here is the letter from the eldership to the congregation:
Letter from the Shepherds
October 13, 2013
Dear Church Family:
Hunter Hills is a wonderful place to have as a church home. It is full of people who want to honor God in every aspect of their lives. We desire to be a group of people who love unconditionally and whose desire is to serve others. Our members come from all walks of life and from varied church backgrounds. Over time, Hunter Hills has become a church which believes in freedom in Christ and has moved away from legalism. Because of this, members have differing views about what they value and desire in corporate worship.
Over the past few months, the shepherds have had several conversations with some of our members, including our staff, about their desire to add an instrumental service on Sunday morning separate from our current service which has acapella congregational singing. Before we make a decision on their request, we wanted to communicate this to all of our members and get feedback on whether or not this would be a beneficial move for our church family.
We want our members to know that all the shepherds agree that scripture does not prohibit the use of instrumental music in our assembly. Each of us has come to that conclusion independently after many years of study and prayer. In fact, instrumental music has been used as background on video clips and as a part of our youth assemblies for some time. These would not be present if we felt their inclusion was not acceptable to God.
Given our longstanding tradition of acapella singing which many, including the shepherds and staff, highly value and want to continue; we feel that this decision should not be taken lightly. We want to set a direction that is in the best interest of the whole congregation for the present and for the future. We pray that the decision made will be supported by our church family. We are convinced that most of our members are here because of relationships and opportunities to serve. We certainly hope that these values will continue to prevail regardless of what views anyone might hold on this question. Over the next few days, we ask each of you to prayerfully consider our direction and take time to complete the survey located at ttps://www.research.net/s/HHMusic. It can also be found linked from the church website or we have paper copies available. You may fill it out as a family or individually. Each question gives you the opportunity to make additional comments. The comments are valuable, so please share how you feel. While the survey does require that you submit your name, individual input will be kept confidential among the shepherds. We would like the input of the whole church before making a decision about this request.
May God continue to bless Hunter Hills in the future as He has in the past.
In Christ,
Your Shepherds
The Breath of God 
Scott Shifford, Jr. The Church of Christ’s catch phrase for as long as I can remember has been “We speak where the Bible speaks, and are silent where the Bible is silent.” My whole life, I have wondered why there were traditions in the church that were not denied in the Bible. I’m so happy to see a church stepping out of the box that have been based on traditions rather than God’s word. It is past time to have meaningless rules invented by men.
There is a way that seems right unto man but the end is destruction. for your taughts are not Gods taught neither are your ways His ways. Nadab and Abiu tried God and saw His wrath by using a strange fire (fire is fire). All authority has been given to me (CHRIST) in heaven and on earth Matt. 28:18-20; teaching them to observe whatsoever i have commanded u. God does not need ur opinion, right from creation. Why? because he is The author and finisher of our faith. God’s liberalism ends in His commandment. u are at liberty to do His wil and go to heaven or neglect it and rot in hell, that is what is meant by liberalism in the bible perspective. God can raise up stone to worship HIM. SHALL WE PLEASE MAN RATHER THAN GOD? ask urself this and search the bible thorought for in it we find our path to salvation. I pray GOD in his infinite mercy help u not to lead others astray. THE BLIND CAN NEVER LEAD THE BLIND. REMAIN BLESS.
I submit that if a subject is not addressed in the bible, that the subject is not approved. Silence does not approve anything. See Strange Fire in Leviticus 10:1-3.
Amen.
Scott, you did a good job supporting the scriptural basis for singing. I am really surprised at the thinking of these elders. I grew at the feet of at least one of these men’s grandfather, having him and his wife as a teacher if Bible. I learned from him the necessity of speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent when it is silent.i also learned from him why we sing without instruments. Too bad he is gone and we can’t hear his teaching on this.
I can see the appeal to question and overlook how others worship God by knowing so many apparently good people, who confess a belief in Christ, and yet in justifying those in error, we can find ourselves disregarding the words of Jesus Christ. As we read Scripture, let us stay optimistic seeing that those, who have a honest heart, are those that we are to teach being the most willing to observe all that Jesus commanded.
God bless, Danna. Thank you for your comment and shining light on the context of this event.
Are you practicing the law of the Spirit? What does this mean to you?
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:3-6).
Romans 8 is my favorite chapter because it extols the virtues of living by His Spirit within us. There is no mention of living solely by the text.
You are not promoting a system of “freedom in Christ.” Instead your system is based in law and bondage. Everything you promote is based on correct procedure of the outer form and seems to neglect inner qualities of the believer. I don’t see what you are seeing in the scriptures, or by God’s Spirit in me?
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).
What you call talent-show worship may be inspiring to others. Your type of worship lacks anything spiritual and leaves one very empty and void. Everyone is not moved by the same thing. Why can’t you admit that and accept that all will not be affected as you are? Again I use Romans 14 as proof that IM music is permissible. If you don’t then that’s between you and God.
“Everyone is not moved by the same thing.” – Yes. Some people are moved by Christ and others are not.
This is true! I’m moved by Christ the Spirit!
How does that spirit move you regarding soulless instruments? Are musical instruments soulless or not?
Is your songbook soulless or not? Are written words soulless or not?
Why does it matter whether a instrument has a soul? If something moves us toward God then why would God object?
You are more concerned about the method than the objective.
Christ’s words are written and those are spirit and life (John 6:63). Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are not soulless, but musical instruments are soulless bearing no life or spirit in words. Does that sound like I am concerned about the method over the objective? It is quite the reverse.
I think this is a great response from the Shepherds. Romans 14 addresses this matter and it’s good to see that the Shepherd’s are not allowing bondage to stifle their growth.
These elders did decide not to use musical instruments. Also, this is not an opinion matter as in Romans 14, but rather this is a matter of edification and true worship in 1 Corinthians 14. Please, see the Scriptures about the music that Jesus instructed for His Church. His music of singing meaningful words is truly a blessing protecting us from the distraction and decisions of talent-show worship.
I think you as Elders need to go back to your Bible basics and study Math.26:30, 1Cor. 14:14, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16 and James 5:13. No where in these verses does it mention music. As, far as homosexuality -frrom the book of Gen.to Revelation there are numerous verses that teach that this is wrong.I don’t think you have ever seen 2 males or 2 females reproduce. What did God say about marriage?