Shepherd’s Statement on Music at Maury Hills

Summary Statement (12/11/06)

The tradition of the churches of Christ has been to worship with a cappella singing. At Maury Hills, we have chosen to continue this tradition. However, we do not see it as an issue of fellowship or salvation. We do not condemn those who choose to worship with instruments nor do we forbid their use at any and all gatherings at Maury Hills. We are convinced that the real issue is the heart, not the instrument. Therefore, we seek to make love our constant, mandatory, and all encompassing guide. This love compels us to be unified by our common faith in Christ and to not allow our opinions on this and other issues to divide us.

Orginal Statement (11/17/02)

With the approach of the Christmas season, with its varied programs and activities, we feel it wise to make a statement about church music, in the interest of clarity.

You have heard all the arguments for and against instrumental music in worship, including comparisons to pitch pipes and water fountains, precise timing of worship and non-worship, the meaning of Greek verbs, context, and example. The argument from the 'silence of Scripture' has been arbitrarily and inconsistently applied to make commands where God has not. Some have, in effect, added the command "thou shalt not sing praises to the Lord they God with the accompaniment of a mechanical instrument of music". They have replaced the silence of Scripture with a command. Most other Christians likewise do not understand the serious argument over the matter. We are convinced that the instrument is not a sin, but that division is, being very clearly condemned in Scripture. We agree with the restoration leader who in 1809 wrote, "Many of the opinions which are now dividing the church, had they been let alone, would have been long since dead and gone; but the constant insisting upon them, as articles of faith and terms of salvation, have so beaten them into the minds of men, that, in many instances, they would as soon deny the Bible itself as give up one of those opinions".

Our tradition in churches of Christ has been to have only a cappella congregational singing in worship. In this church, we want to continue that, without condemning those who choose to worship with mechanical instruments. However, we see no problem with instruments in activities such as parties, fellowship gatherings, devotionals, weddings, funerals, concerts, or special holiday programs. While some traditionalists might condemn listening to or playing contemporary Christian music or radio stations at such events, they routinely listen to secular music, such as country music, with instruments and often-tawdry themes, at times away from public worship. Sometimes expediency involves choosing methods that are attractive to honest seekers of God in this culture. That may include allowing children to sing to a tape with bells or strings in the background or allowing people with varied backgrounds and preferences to express their sentiments in a safe spiritual environment.

Love is our constant, mandatory, all-encompassing guide. Anything that does not pass the test of a love-motive is evil. We will continue to have non-instrumental congregational singing in our worship. The use of nstrumental music in special holiday programs, devotionals, etc. is in no way a movement toward the introduction of instruments into our congregational singing. But we are committed to the freedom of individual believers in Christ. We do not dictate to any of our members the degree of participation that they choose or refuse at any gathering with instruments. Let us all embrace each other in love toward growth and fellowship, even if that means feeling uncomfortable at times ourselves. Jesus certainly caused discomfort in His earthly ministry, and we must be willing to change and stretch in matters of liberty, to call ourselves His disciples. Let's make Jesus the issue and let it run deep and narrow among us!