We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Monday, November 7, 2016

Disappointment


Back in the middle of September I wrote a letter to the lead pastor and the “worship” pastor of our local assembly, explaining why we shouldn’t be using songs from certain groups in our services because of the horrid teachings of these groups.  On 21 September I posted an edited version of this letter as an “Open Letter to ‘Worship’ Leaders.”

For almost two months our worship service did not use songs from these groups and I thought perhaps these pastors in our assembly had accepted my suggestions.  Alas, it was not to be.

Yesterday our opening song was “This is Amazing Grace,” by Bethel Music, a song I specifically identified as from this apostate and heretical group.  The service closed with a Hillsong piece I hadn’t previously heard, and there were a couple of questionable lyrics as well as an around and around citation of the last line - ad nauseum.  In the absence of our normal music leader the lead pastor led the music, which makes this incident even more disappointing.

I guess having favorite feel-good music is more important than defending the flock, and it must also be more important than worrying about enriching these false groups which put out this stuff.


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

These days, what constitutes worship music sadly leaves much to be desired.

The worst part is that many leaders do not accept correction from the "peons" in the pews.

-Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Very Sadly, what I term "Kristian Kerreokee" of questionable, out right false messages. and constant chants. Is now the norm in most churches. What makes it all worse? It's BLASTED AT YOU!From 666 instruments/drums/dozens of wanna be Kerreokee, singers with loud microphones!
Making this a 30 - 40 min. test of ear splitting/Standing endurance and NOT "Worship".
Oh, for the days of Worship Hymns, Duets, A Piano and a Flute playing "My Jesus I Love Thee"
While taking offering. A piano playing a hymn heard while I walk into Service. Still hoping..

Alec said...

Thanks for your example, Glenn.

It sounds as if the content of your letter was not directly addressed by the pastor/elders of the church. Did anyone ever say anything to you about what you wrote?

Alec

Jim W said...

I would think it especially galling that they haven't even had the courtesy or respect for you to get together with you to discuss it. Sounds like time to find a new church.

Anonymous said...

PS, remember Glenn, as you well know, the "consumer" method of Christianity rules now. It seems like there isn't a church anywhere that isn't being affected by this grossly unbiblical trend.

Anon 2:52pm 11/8/16, most of those we know have the same longing you do, for hymnody, for beautiful instrumental duets, etc. These days, it would be a near miracle to hear that before and during service. We're not holding our breath. We're not going to wait for church leaders to feed us doctrinally sound music. Therefore, we enjoy the great hymns in our own home! We've even listened to glorious hymns before "going to church" Sunday mornings, so we at least hear some decent music before the sermon!

-Carolyn

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

Well, at least our assembly USUALLY has acceptable volume for the "band" and USUALLY the more contemporary stuff used is acceptable. But those "off times" get under my skin.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Alec,

The letter was only addressed to the two pastors, delivered directly to their boxes at church (neither was available when I dropped by). Neither one has ever spoken to me about it.

The "open letter" version was published on this blog, but I don't think anyone at church looks at it, and only a few even know I have it.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Jim W,

I specifically stated in my letter to the pastors that I did not feel the need to meet about the topic, but that I did want them to consider the information provided and my recommendation was to eliminate songs from these groups. So them not wanting a meeting didn't bother me at all, but I thought one of them would at least make some sort of acknowledgement.

Jim W said...

You may have told them a meeting wasn't necessary, but common courtesy would call for meeting with a member who was/is obviously dissatisfied with the path of their church. Any decent leader would step up and try to get with the complainant and get things settled, one way or another. So, whether you wanted it or not, it still should have happened. It's clearly obvious they really don't care about you. And that is the sad fact in today's churches; most pastors aren't shepherds, they're nothing but talking heads, and most of them aren't even capable of writing what they speak; they merely use other people's "sermons".

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Jim W,

Now you are making judgements without sufficient facts. You don't know the leadership like I do. I specifically stated in my letter that a meeting wasn't necessary, nor did I have a use for a meeting due to the fact that everything I had to say was in my letter.

I don't know a whole lot about the music leader/pastor, but I do know the lead pastor well enough to know that he isn't in the habit of responding when I've told him no response is necessary. The only response I wanted was to never see the stuff again. It took them two months since my suggestion to end up again using songs from the sources I alerted them about. Perhaps they just don't see the problem if the song is okay theologically.

As for the lead pastor, he's always done a good job with his teachings and is not a "talking head."

Marshal Art said...

Aside from these objectionable groups being enriched through the purchase of sheet music of their songs, are you opposed to all of their songs, or only those that you have determined preach less than sound doctrine? My point is that a good song is a good song and even those who are not quite firmly on the path can produce good stuff. I would imagine that patronizing only the good stuff might influence them toward bettering their own beliefs in the same way that, say, patronizing certain movies will influence what movies are produced. Not the best analogy, but I hope you get my meaning.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Art,

Some of the songs of these groups do have okay lyrics, but I addressed the problem with using them here:
http://watchmansbagpipes.blogspot.com/2016/09/open-letter-to-worship-leaders.html