Holy WarsThe Soul of the ChurchTags: Church Growth, Church Growth Movement, Ron Rhodes, Culting of America, Baby Boomers, Christian doctrine, Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace, Apostle Paul, John Dewey
The one who seeks after profits does not
generally care about the intrinsic value of church life or worship and praise music. It
does not matter to him that the importance of the church is body ministry and that church
music is all about reaching into the deep parts of the human spirit. To him it is all
about commercialism – the marketing of music and generating cash. It’s out with
the piano and in with guitar-driven music to catch the attention of the younger
generation. And you always have to keep that new material coming in order to keep up with
the times. There’s no room for the old here. There is no time for nostalgia. You have
to dump the organ and choir and get yourself a band if you are going to keep the pace. Get
rid of the slow and reflective to turn to the high-energy stuff that gets people going.
Reach out to the senses rather than the soul. Forget about ministering to the body of
Christ when you are reaching to the world. Let the fights begin and let the old folks go
along with their archaic music. For the ultimate target are the hymns that are not
relevant anymore. They are not marketable.
“Many
Christian churches are seeking to lure these boomers into their congregations.
Unfortunately, in the process, a number of them end up compromising Christian
doctrine.” Time reports that “a
growing choir of critics contends that in doing whatever it takes to lure those fickle
customers, churches are at risk of losing their heritage – and their souls.” In reality, many in the church are in the
business of sacrificing everything for nothing. Music did not begin in the ‘60s and
there is a whole lot in the hymnology that has been passed onto us that is vitally
relevant today. And these hymns do not lack for passion. For example there are few praise
songs today that can rival the passion and intimacy of the ancient Irish tune, Be Thou My Vision. And what worship song today
exceeds the moving melody and text contained in Amazing
Grace? Praise hymns such as these divulge deep spiritual truth. This is biblical truth
that transcends generations. Hence, we do not need to shed the past in order to minister
to the present age. It is not necessary to forsake our heritage in order to grow. The claims of some roaming throughout the
church today are just plain wrong in that regard. Therefore the Apostle Paul exhorted
“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all
things into Him who is the head-Christ.” (Eph 4:14-15 MKJV) It’s time to grow up
and realize who we are as the church. We are not children. The church is 2000 years old
with a rich heritage. And we are commanded in the Bible as mature Christians to grow up in
“all things” not just new things. “All things” would include those
things that God passed down to us from past generations that give us maturity and
stability. So the contention that the old doesn’t minister is hogwash plain and
simple. Sure the church is faced
with the awesome task of reaching out to John Dewey’s dumbed down generation that
cares more about their big screens than fine arts. This obviously is something that needs
to be considered. But does that mean that we are supposed to leave the masses where Dewey
put them? Are we called to limit ourselves to the common praise song themes such as
“I want to see Your face,” “I long to be in your presence,” “You
are worthy,” “Be exalted,” “I worship You,” “I praise
You,” “Worthy is the Lord,” “You are holy,”
“Hallelujah,” “I want You,” “I need You,” or “I love
You?” Though it is imperative to love God, isn’t there more to love than merely
saying it over an over again? Isn’t there more to praise than ecstatic shouts or
syrupy sentiment? Isn’t there more to Scripture and life as Christians than what we
are hearing in so much of contemporary praise today? As the church, don’t we have the
responsibility to educate rather than merely relate? Is it not imperative that as well as
meeting this generation “where they are at” we should create a worship
environment at church where they can discover “where Christianity is at?”
Shouldn’t we seek out praise music that conveys biblical truth rather than sappy
human emotional desires? Should we not impart our heritage to the babes so that they can
mature? Isn’t it time to sever ourselves from Dewey’s ongoing circle that
tumbles down the slope of ignorance? Christianity
is all about separation. It is about a difference between the church and the unbelieving
world around it. When we look at the church and its people, there ought to be a
difference. When the world around is shedding itself of Christian heritage, the church
ought to be standing for it. As
explained earlier, the ministry of Jesus divides people into two camps - the believer and
unbeliever. Yet this same proposition has the effect of binding Christians together as
one. The same doctrine that separates us from the world unites us together under the wings
of our common belief in God. Therefore the Psalms proclaim: “Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon
the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his
garments.” (Ps 133:1-2 MKJV) However,
when the church is divided from its rich heritage it tears the body of Christ in half. It
sows division between young church attendees and the saints of old. It severs
congregations into pieces and creates wars as church leadership discards traditions that
many saints hold with high regard. These are the results that come out of the passion for
growth at all cost. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and
offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are
such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and
flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Rom 16: 17-18 MKJV) If you liked this CLICK HERE or call Author House @ 888.280.7715 to purchase a soft or hard cover copy of Don Wigton's book "Holy Wars" upon which this blog is based.Click Here to purchase the E-book edition for only 99 cents!
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