N
nckyc
Guest
It does seem to be contradictory for the Church of Christ to declare that they are “returning the Church to its true form” as Christianity was practiced by the early Christians is what they really mean. And church authority is central to that mission statement.
CofC congregations for the most part reject instrumental music as non-biblical because it is opined the early christians did not have musical instruments and also the bible directs us to make melody in or hearts when singing praises to God. The early christians did not have electricity or PA systems either but those are not a problem when worshiping in song. Most folks point to the rejection of instrumental music as the big difference between other christian churches and Diciples of Christ congregations. That is true but not the big issue for CofC elders and preachers. Who is in authority is the big issue in each congregation.
Study of the mission statement is why I began to question the CofC. What I noticed over the forty years I attended the CofC was a fierce independence and rejection of central authority. Authority other than the particular church’s elders is rejected. Just read about Max Lacado’s personal journey from CofC minister to a community church member and you will get the tenor of the principle of rejection of authority I am referring to. His problems started with the introduction of instrumental music at the church he ministered at but the rejection of his authority was central to his problems and prompted or forced him to drop the title of CofC minister. One can google his name and read how vociferous CofC rejection of individual and outside congregation authority is.
It may surprise those who are not familiar with the CofC to learn that each CofC congregation is totally independent of any central church authority and is never joined to another CofC congregation. This does not mean that one congregation will not “plant” another congregation, but once a congregation is established no one out side its building’s doors has any sway over it. No outside authority other than scripture - at all. This causes problems and actually serves to expand the number of CofC congregations. I attended two CofC congregations over the years that split over authority issues. So two became four.
I too am grateful for the times I spent in CofC congregations and love dearly those I became friends with. But like a previous writer in this thread - my study of the bible lead me to leave the CofC.
Cheers
Nick
CofC congregations for the most part reject instrumental music as non-biblical because it is opined the early christians did not have musical instruments and also the bible directs us to make melody in or hearts when singing praises to God. The early christians did not have electricity or PA systems either but those are not a problem when worshiping in song. Most folks point to the rejection of instrumental music as the big difference between other christian churches and Diciples of Christ congregations. That is true but not the big issue for CofC elders and preachers. Who is in authority is the big issue in each congregation.
Study of the mission statement is why I began to question the CofC. What I noticed over the forty years I attended the CofC was a fierce independence and rejection of central authority. Authority other than the particular church’s elders is rejected. Just read about Max Lacado’s personal journey from CofC minister to a community church member and you will get the tenor of the principle of rejection of authority I am referring to. His problems started with the introduction of instrumental music at the church he ministered at but the rejection of his authority was central to his problems and prompted or forced him to drop the title of CofC minister. One can google his name and read how vociferous CofC rejection of individual and outside congregation authority is.
It may surprise those who are not familiar with the CofC to learn that each CofC congregation is totally independent of any central church authority and is never joined to another CofC congregation. This does not mean that one congregation will not “plant” another congregation, but once a congregation is established no one out side its building’s doors has any sway over it. No outside authority other than scripture - at all. This causes problems and actually serves to expand the number of CofC congregations. I attended two CofC congregations over the years that split over authority issues. So two became four.
I too am grateful for the times I spent in CofC congregations and love dearly those I became friends with. But like a previous writer in this thread - my study of the bible lead me to leave the CofC.
Cheers
Nick