Entertaining Church

This past Sunday during our welcome I felt led to read from Psalm 150.

Afterwards Stephanie came to me and wanted to let me know about a conversation between her and her neighbor (she had brought her neighbor to Capstone the week before and came back this week).

Someone from another church had stopped by for a visit with Stephanie’s friend. Stephanie’s neighbor had mentioned that she came to Capstone the week before and liked it a lot. This visitor informed her that churches like Capstone don’t really worship God. They said that Capstone is purely using guitars, drums, and keyboards for entertainment only.

Stephanie said her neighbor came to her very confused after her visitor left. Stephanie asked if she felt like she was worshipping while she was a Capstone. And she said yes. But she was still confused.

Well when I read Psalm 150 Stephanie said her friend looked over and said “looks like I got my answer.” It is funny how people critize differences so quickly. Even if the Bible says something different, people so often hold onto to tradition tighter than the Bible.

Here is what God’s Word says about Instruments of Worship (note it isn’t just pianos – wait they aren’t even listed!)

“Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.”

So I guess in Fountain Inn we will have the reputation of the entertaining church. That’s OK by me. Worship has NOTHING to do with instruments. Jesus says – My Father seeks those who worship in Spirit and Truth. Not worship with guitar or drums. Not worship with piano and choirs. Not worship with bagpipes and kilts (that would be cool). Worship is about our hearts.

I am sure this won’t be the last time someone says we are more about entertaining a crowd than worship God. And my response will continue to be that the only instruments that matter in worship is our heart.