PREPARING A CHURCH FOR THE SHIFT TO INSTRUMENTAL PRAISE

Written by  John Waddey

For the last twelve years I have made it a priority to read the books, blogs and published statements of those preachers and congregations involved in the change movement. I have also had correspondence with several Christians who have experienced the take-over of congregations where they worshiped. From that accumulated information I have found a common pattern in the way change agents proceed in imposing their unscriptural agenda on unsuspecting congregations. I share this with my readers so they can be prepared if a false teacher surfaces in the congregation where they worship. The format I have chosen is to present this material as the kind of wicked advice a young progressive preacher might receive from a man who has succeeded in capturing a congregation. 

I. Don't preach or say anything about the sinfulness or the lack of biblical authority for using instrumental music in worship. Don't mention the danger of adding to God's divine instruction (Rev. 22:18-19).
II. In your preaching and conversation, avoid saying anything positive about our a cappella praise. Keep in mind that ignorance of God's Word is an absolute essential in convincing a congregation to adopt instrumental praise (Hos. 4:6).
III. Remove from display any tracts or other literature that might advocate a cappella praise or condemn the use of instrumental music in worship. Be sure to purge your church library of anything that might go against your plan.
IV. Gradually and occasionally, the preacher and other progressive leaders should poke fun at and make derogatory statements about those who insist on a cappella praise in worship. This will marginalize them in the minds of others.
V. Slowly and subtly begin to speak of our a cappella "tradition." (It matters not that brethren have always offered a biblical basis for their vocal praise). This is to quietly and imperceptibly condition your people to think the whole matter is nothing more than a human tradition.
VI. Make frequent, positive references to "our brethren in the Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ." Bemoan our divided state, implying it is our duty to resolve the division we caused.
VII. Repeat often that unity among churches is the most important thing in Christianity and that doctrine is the most divisive. Therefore we ought to seek unity with the wonderful people of the Christian Church and Disciples who are so like us. We should cease to emphasize the importance of correct doctrine. People tend to disagree about doctrine.
VIII. Arrange to have a pulpit exchange with a conservative preacher from a Christian Church. (Be sure not to invite a liberal). Emphasize to your flock how much alike we are; our only difference being instrumental music in worship (Don't make mention of the many other differences since that would confuse your people).
IX. Immediately build on your pulpit exchange. You might want to display some of their literature. Talk about the sweet, irenic spirit of the "instrumental brethren." In contrast point out that many of our conservative preachers are so narrow and controversial. They are an embarrassment to progressive folks like us.
X. Present a series of sermons or classes on the History of our Restoration Movement. In these lessons you will need to revise our historical record to make your case. Paint the early restorers as broad-minded, ecumenical types, willing to fellowship other denominations. Stress that they were more interested in unity than in doctrine. You can say they did not have instruments because they were poor frontier settlers. If you search long and hard you can likely find a few exceptions that were progressives and then present them as representative of the whole of those brethren.
XI. Describe the conservative brethren of the 19th century as unlearned, legalistic, narrow and factious for picking at insignificant things such as instrumental music.
XII. Whatever you do, do not mention the fact that it was approximately 1,000 years from the founding of the church before instrumental music was accepted. Also it is best no to inform your flock that L. L. Pinkerton was the preacher of our Restoration Movement who advocated and led the way in promoting the use of instrumental music. In 1859, his congregation in Midway, Kentucky was one of the first to use an instrument. It had serious internal trouble in so doing. Such information might confuse your brethren! Also you should not mention that during the Protestant Reformation the Calvinists (Presbyterians and Reformed Churches), early Baptists and Methodists worshiped without instruments as do most of the Greek Orthodox churches to this day.
XIII. The progressive minister must expect to spend to spend several months indoctrinating and grooming his elders, deacons and staff members if he expects them to go along with his plans to have instrumental music. He must be prepared to lead the sessions in order to make sure all are brought on board or else eased out of their position. To be successful he must be able to present a united front.
XIII. When the time is right, he should have one of the thoroughly committed elders announce to the congregation a statement similar to this, "After months of prayer and serious bible study the elders have decided the Bible says nothing about how we are to praise God. They are now persuaded that our insistence on a cappella praise is nothing more than our tradition." It is essential that the elders and preacher state repeatedly that they love our a cappella tradition. They respect all who feel they must hold to the tradition. Out of love and consideration for their conviction (do not say mistaken or misguided), they will not allow instruments in the Sunday morning service. But in the evening services and youth meetings they will allow the use of instruments. (Of course this promise is really conditional and temporary. When sufficient members have been convinced and the opposition weakened, the shift will be completed).
XIV. The previous approach is vital if you are going to keep your older, more conservative members who are the financial base of the congregation. If they should leave the hired staff would be in jeopardy!
XV. At this point you need to organize your band for worship. Young people with musical talent will be eager to participate. They love the opportunity to perform before an audience and many of them enjoy breaking old traditions.
XVI. In your first service as an instrumental congregation it is essential that you publicly state that you are not leaving the brotherhood and fellowship of Churches of Christ, that this is only a minor adjustment to help you keep your young people and win the lost. (Many of your members will not be prepared to abandon the brotherhood of which they have long been part). (Politicians have demonstrated that you can win nearly concession if you say it is for the children.)
XVII. When you have your first service, you should contact your local news media and use them to give your landmark
changes a splashy lift off. Most media representatives have zero understanding about New Testament Christianity. They will believe whatever you tell them. Also many of them, being worldlings, despise the Church of Christ and will be glad to feature your defection.
XVIII. With the launch of your new worship, you need to let it be known that all members are expected to go along with the elders' decision or leave. Those who mount any resistance must immediately be summoned before the elders and sternly warned to cease and desist or else. If they ignore the warning, they should be quickly dis-fellowshiped as troubled makers. This will destroy any influence they may once have enjoyed and be a sharp warning to any who are like-minded. XIX. You must be prepared for the fact that you will lose some neanderthalic members who still believe that bible things must be done in the bible way.

DISCLAIMER. The writer of this articles does not endorse this approach. It is a prime example of the "Satan's devices" (II Cor. 2:11). It reminds us that false teachers present themselves as angels of light (II Cor. 11:13-14). I have written this hoping that those being subjected to this manipulative conditioning will recognize it and reject it. It is dishonest, deceptive and destructive.

I appeal to every brother and sister among us, let no man deceive you (Eph. 5:6). Inform yourself. Stand up for Jesus. Fight the good fight of the faith (I Tim. 6:12) and resist the devil (James 4:7). Refuse to partake in the evil works of others (II John 11). Remember, only those who are faithful to Christ till death will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). John Waddey