The Price of Unity

The year 1906 is considered the official date of the division among churches of the restoration that ultimately yielded three distinct groups: the Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, and churches of Christ. Although evidence of this split existed years before, 1906 was the date the United States relgious census listed churches of Christ and Christian Churches as two separate bodies.

Here we are in 2006, the 100th anniversery of the 1906 division, and to commemmorate the occasion, several of our number propose reconciling our differences with the Independent Christian Churches. This from the Associated Press:

The turning point for Jeff Walling came two decades ago at a church youth conference. Sitting with arms folded, he listened to 3,000 teenagers singing and praising God with a guitar accompaniment -- and felt ashamed.

Walling, the son of a Churches of Christ preacher, had adamantly held to his group's teaching that using instrumental music in worship was wrong. But as he heard the youths worship, he began having doubts.

Now Walling and other Churches of Christ leaders are at the forefront of what could be a seminal moment for their fellowship -- a possible reconciliation with another group of independent congregations 100 years after the two became recognized as separate.

Walling's behavior provokes several questions:

• Why are the emotions of 3,000 teenagers serving as his guide in spiritual matters? What happened to Bible authority--book, chapter, and verse? (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
• What was responsible for the spirit that impressed him during the youth conference? Does he really expect us to believe that one guitar made all the difference? Does musical accompaniment produce spirituality? Is that as deep as it goes?
• What is Walling ashamed of? Have the churches of Christ been petty and ill-informed in their insistence on a capella music in worship? Or, rather, can their practices be explained through a respect for biblical authority?

Mike Cope made similar statments in the August 7, 2005 issue of the Christian Standard (the major paper circulated among Christian Churches):

I’m sure in some ways I’ve inadvertently contributed to this division. And for that, I’m so sorry. We are full brothers and sisters in Christ, and that should be reflected in the way we treat one another and minister side-by-side with one another.

There’s so much talk of reconciliation as the hundredth year since the formal division approaches. And I’m thankful for all of those places—lectureships, conferences, meetings—where that reconciliation will have a public face. That’s important.

But the essence of this reconciliation will be at quieter, local levels. It will mean family members apologizing for making such a big fuss about the differences. It will mean mutual forgiveness. It will mean churches planted together, ministries supported together, campus ministries united, and teen groups nurtured together.

Again we see the apologies. The shame. Cope implies this is not just the efforts of a few but the overall desire of churches of Christ. But, in truth, not much is happening at the local levels. Walling and Cope's efforts are a part of a well-orchestrated movement that is being handled through seminars, conventions, and select colleges.

I believe the motives of these men are pure. I've heard others brand them as contemptible "change agents" whose sole desire is to destroy the church. I know that's not true. These men are seeking unity, a goal promoted by the Lord Himself (Jn. 17:21). But that doesn't mean their actions are harmless. Quite the contrary--they are dangerous.

Whenever reconciliation takes place between two parties, one or both of the parties have to make concessions, which, in effect, are statements that condemn one's own history and practices. This is why Walling is "ashamed" and Cope is "sorry." Their capitulation communicates penitence to the other side.

Don't hold your breath waiting on the Christian Churches to make any concessions. They're not changing. They're comfortable right where they are.

I, for one, believe the churches of Christ have been on the right track. I'm not sorry for preaching against the use of instrumental music in worship. There are solid biblical and historical grounds upon which this argument can be made. If we have been wrong, then let us repent and ask the Christian Churches for forgiveness. But if we've been right, let us not be ashamed (Rom. 1:16).

Unity always comes with a price. Are we willing to pay it? I would love to unite with all those with whom I share common ground. But not if it means throwing away the authority of God's Word in the process.