On Thursday (September 12th) the Abilene Reporter-News published an article about Highland Church of Christ's plan to jazz up one of their assemblies by adding instruments of music. We should not expect a shofar (ram's horn pictured here) to play a big part in this enhancement.
Highland is not breaking new ground here. In recent years, a number of congregations associated with churches of Christ have taken this step: The Branch and The Hills in the Metroplex and Oak Hills in San Antonio. As noted in the Reporter-News article – Highland has been offering instrumental services for several years at Grace Fellowship. Also Bar Church, an outreach of Southern Hills Church of Christ, utilizes instruments of music.
I was more surprised by the timing of this announcement than by the content. The timing was curious because today marks the opening of "Summit" at Abilene Christian University. Summit is the revitalization of what used to be called "Lectureship." Publicizing this plan immediately before guests arrive for Lectureship invites vitriolic criticism.
But back to the question, is Highland's "enhancement" good for Abilene? Note that I'm not asking: Is this acceptable to God (i.e. "biblical"). And I'm not asking: Is this good for Highland?
Listen again: Is it good for Abilene that a "flagship" (that's what the journalist called the Highland church) of a cappella worship will be offering worship that is NOT a cappella? The literal meaning of a cappella is "the way they do it in church" but it is usually defined as "vocal music or singing done without instrumental accompaniment."
I'd have to say it may not be bad for Abilene. But I can't see that it is any sort of improvement.
Highland is not breaking new ground here. In recent years, a number of congregations associated with churches of Christ have taken this step: The Branch and The Hills in the Metroplex and Oak Hills in San Antonio. As noted in the Reporter-News article – Highland has been offering instrumental services for several years at Grace Fellowship. Also Bar Church, an outreach of Southern Hills Church of Christ, utilizes instruments of music.
I was more surprised by the timing of this announcement than by the content. The timing was curious because today marks the opening of "Summit" at Abilene Christian University. Summit is the revitalization of what used to be called "Lectureship." Publicizing this plan immediately before guests arrive for Lectureship invites vitriolic criticism.
But back to the question, is Highland's "enhancement" good for Abilene? Note that I'm not asking: Is this acceptable to God (i.e. "biblical"). And I'm not asking: Is this good for Highland?
Listen again: Is it good for Abilene that a "flagship" (that's what the journalist called the Highland church) of a cappella worship will be offering worship that is NOT a cappella? The literal meaning of a cappella is "the way they do it in church" but it is usually defined as "vocal music or singing done without instrumental accompaniment."
I'd have to say it may not be bad for Abilene. But I can't see that it is any sort of improvement.
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