A Cappella Music

Probably no other single issue has divided the Restoration Movement in America the way this issue has in the past century. In 1906 the U.S. Census for the first time acknowledged a split in those believers who came out of the Stone-Campbell unity movement. The movement spun off three groups; the Disciples of Christ, the Christian Church and the Churches of Christ. For a movement that began with the motto: "Christians only; but, not the only Christians" the divisions solidified issues between the three groups. One of the litmus tests of fellowship was whether a church used instrumental music in its worship services? The Disciples and the Christian churches, which tended to be located in the northern more urban parts of the United States, adopted the use of pianos and organs in worship. The churches of Christ, which were primarily rural and southern, insisted that the only acceptable practice in worship was to sing "a Cappella", i.e. with only the human voice. This was not universal as there are to this day churches of Christ in states like Indiana who do use instrumental music. But, in the largest part of the Bible belt, i.e. TN, AR, OK , TX and most of the south, the churches of Christ became solely acappella.

The truth is that those divisions started long before 1906. In fact, I believe the seeds of the division of the unity movement had it roots in the Civil War. Rather than treating instrumental music as an issue of conscience for the individual believer like the apostle Paul does with the issue of "eating meat" in the 14th Chapter of the book of Romans, it instead became a matter of judgment regarding who could fellowship one another.

Some would be shocked to learn that the in the original Articles of Incorporation of the Glendale Church of Christ (the predecessor to the McKnight Road Church of Christ ) a creed was set forth stating that any member who professes the use of mechanical instruments in worship "shall not be entitled to vote". Fortunately, that provision was stricken by an amendment in November of 1973.

For many of us, the use of acappella music is a tradition that we have enjoyed in the churches of Christ; but, we do not make it a part of the gospel message. Recently, some congregations in the churches of Christ have begun to offer alternative instrumental services. Mike Cope recently posted an interesting blog at: http://www.preachermike.com/2006/12/03/leroy-richland-hills-and-instrumental-music

What do you think about the use of acappella music in worship?