I am directing this post first to those who are presently involved with acappella/non-instrumental churches of Christ, and secondly to everyone else who might have had dealings such as mine in the past. Please allow me a paragraph or two in order to set up the situation.

Our family accepted the call to Indiana, PA in June of 1999 in order to (a) set up a campus ministry at Indiana University of PA, and (b) establish a non-denominational church / worship service in Indiana that would reach out to students and others in the community. When we arrived in Indiana, we found two “restoration based” congregations here … a Disciples congregation (whose minister was very “liberal” in the areas of homosexuality, and other issues) and an acappella church of Christ. We did not begin a search for a home congregation at first, due to my weekly traveling to congregations in the SW PA area in search of mission support for our work.

Very shortly after we arrived here, I had the opportunity to immerse a student. My first call was to the church of Christ, where I was put off by one of the elders who seemed to be worried as to the reason I would be immersing this student. Even after assuring him that it would be for the very same reasons he would immerse a person, it was obvious there was a lack of trust. I ended up calling one of the Baptist congregations in town, and they were quite willing for me to use their facilities.

About a year ago this church of Christ hired a new evangelist. I met with him, discussed my understanding as to the instrumental issue, and assured him that if our family attended the church of Christ, we would be happy to give up the freedom to use the instrument in worship, in order to fellowship and serve with this congregation. He had no problem with that at all. About a month later, we asked the elders (two at that time) to come out to the house. We filled out a ministry sheet, stating what we felt called of God to share in the way of ministry. One of the elders (who is in charge of the education) made it quite clear that they were in dire need of teachers … especially in the early childhood area, which is my wife’s area of expertise.

We waited for three months, but were never called on by the elders to teach or serve in any capacity. We asked the elders to come out to our house one more time, and they did. They spent about an hour sharing all the things Kathy could NOT do in the church of Christ. Praying in assembly, leading worship, passing of communion, even teaching the Sunday evening “children up front” lesson held prior to the worship service (since there were adult men in the room while the children were being taught). At no time did they volunteer anything that Kathy COULD do, even though they knew she had a degree in CE with emphasis in early childhood … the very area they were still in need of teachers for.

They wrapped up our meeting by stating: “We’re still keeping an eye on you, because we want to be sure you aren’t over zealous.” As close as possible, those were the exact words. Now, I certainly don’t see how anyone can be over zealous for the Lord, but apparently that is something the leadership was worried about. I never could get a definition of what they meant by that.

Another three months passed, and Kathy and I met with the evangelist. He had no idea these meetings had taken place with the elders, and was surprised by our experience with them. All the while he had been stating in Sunday School and from the pulpit how much the congregation needed “new blood” and for new folks to get involved in kingdom service. Apparently he and the elders were not on the same page.

My question is — would this be a typical situation in most churches of Christ, or is this an isolated experience. Please understand, Kathy and I are both graduates of a very conservative college. The elders knew this. They also knew that we had no plans whatsoever of calling the instrument situation into question. It was a non-issue to us. We gave up the right to use the instrument in order to fellowship with this congregation.

Now, I understand that the elders might be a bit gun-shy with a new convert, or with someone who came to them out of another faith background, but here are two experienced and motivated “restoration based” Christians, ready to serve, and being told they needed to be watched to be sure we weren’t “over zealous.”

Any thoughts or past experiences you could share with me?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

Answers

Yes Darrell....there is a huge difference between the words "non"....and "un."

Let's use a pie to illustrate.

Most denominational churches view the church as a pie....that is made up of individual pieces. Each piece is a different denomination...i.e., one piece is Baptist, one Pentecostal, one Presbyterian....etc...etc. Put all the pieces (denominations) together....and you have the pie (i.e., the church universal).

A "non"-denominational church, in essence states...."We have no problem with the pie....but we simply choose not to be a part of one."

An "un"-denonominational church states...."Not only are we not a part of one.....we think the pie is wrong"....i.e., denominationalism is wrong.

My business card and our church literature says...."An Un- Denominational Church." Not only is it in line with traditional RM thinking.....it is also quite the conversation starter.

But....one has to be willing....to say....that the other is wrong.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Randall.....

I'm glad you are not looking for a fight....because historically speaking....your answer is really poor.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

Keep in mind that one does not need Campbellic or Tonic succession for his baptism to be valid. There may be other congregations of believers out there that you can work with. I'd encourage you to pray about that option. I can't say that's the Lord's will with you. Maybe God wants you to stay put and pray.

Imagine Corinth's loss if the church there had been suspicious about Apollos. He may have been only recently baptized when the Lord used him so mightily, too.

A gardener doesn't make a flower bloom. He jsut helps set the conditions for it to grow, and let's God to the rest. Elders need to let the body function organically, encourage others in their gifts, exercise their own, and step in if there is a problem. I Peter 4:10 commands believers to minister their gifts one to another.

Maybe the 'non-denominational' worship service is the reason for the suspicion. Would 'un-denominational' look less suspicious.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Why the need to play with the words "non" and "un?" Am I missing something there? The purpose is to have a worship service that has no denominational ties ... and is biblical.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Danny, I think the difference there between 'un' and 'non' exists because some people made the distinction when they started printing adds iwth 'undenominational.' Some 'nondenominational' people don't believe denominations are right, either.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Darrell,

You asked for input from someone from churches of Christ. So here goes. I can't read what's in the elders' minds, and there are different ideas, as you probably know, about relationships between our two groups. But from what you say, here is my impression. I suspect they fear you will wind up pushing the instrument issue. For you it is a non-issue. And if anyone asks you, you'd in all honesty say that. Except many (I won't say most, since many churches of Christ appear to be softening on the question) believe it is not a non-issue. They (I among them) believe you can't consider it a non-issue, because as soon as you do, the instrument starts creeping in.

Also, the instrument came into the church and caused division because so many people forced its use. The Christian Church has tried to play that down, but it's true. Those in favor of the instrument caused the division. That history still hurts from our side. It hasn't been forgotten.

I'll probably get clobbered by bunches of folks for what I've written, and that's all right, but you asked for an opinion, so I gave it. I'm not looking for a fight, either, so I'm making it a point not to respond to any posts that want to take issue with what I've said. I wrote it merely to let you see what somebody from the other side might be thinking.

I hope this is helpful in some way. You take it from there.

Blessings,

Randal Matheny Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

re: the non -vs- un issue. At least with this congregation it doesn't seem to matter, as they consider themselves to be a non- denominational congregation.

re: the instrument -- the two elders stated that they weren't worried about us introducing such into the congregation. In fact, I made it clear that if I were ever teaching or representing the congregation in any way, and someone asked about the instrument (lack thereof) I would refer them to the evangelist or the elders, and leave the question alone.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001