What is “eChurchHarmony”?
The following article is a peek into some of the ideas we will discuss in the Bible Study Class called “eChurchHarmony.”
Church members often talk about the need for unity. It’s an important topic for sure. Church history is full of stories of splits and splinters. In one of his books, Chuck Colson describes a time when a church in the northeast literally had a brutal brawl in the sanctuary. The incident led members to court where a local judge admonished the bruised members to get their act together.
As a pastor and a “pastor of pastors” (as my doctoral supervisor would call me), I have counseled too many men who weep and wail over conflict in the church. At the end of the day, they too talk about the need for church unity.
However, is unity the objective? As I understand Scripture, unity is not the objective. Unity is a result. The objective is to glorify Christ. The goal is to obey His commands. Unity in God’s church is the effect of intentional obedience on the part of the body of Christ as members submit to the headship of Jesus. Unity is the consequence of right action and attitude of each member.
Let’s be clear. Unity is not the outcome of members thinking alike or liking the same things. To work for unity in that manner is folly. Each believer is fearfully and wonderfully made and is unique and attempting to achieve same thinking is futile.
So how does a church achieve unity if unity is not the goal? And how can a church forge unity if each member is so different? Let’s consider some key ideas.
First, work for harmony, not just unity. Harmony means having a collective agreement, an accord, or synchronization of thoughts, actions, and attitudes. The apostle Peter wrote, “All of you be harmonious.” (1 Peter 3:8) The word “harmonious” means “to be of one mind.” A harmonious church seeks the single mind of Christ while exercising many and various gifts and talents.
Second, sing in harmony. Some of you love music as I do. Before my call to ministry, I was a vocal major in college. I studied the theory and application of music. While music theory was intellectually stimulating and interesting, it was the application of music was absolutely infectious and inspiring. Most people who enjoy music understand the thrill of hearing great musicians and singers as they break into powerful melodious harmony. Harmony heightens the energy of a piece of music. When I hear great instrumental and vocal harmonies, I smile and literally get “chill bumps.” That’s the power of harmony!
Several things should be noted about harmony:
• It takes practice to achieve perfect harmony. Harmony is achieved when members make it their intentional occupation to practice over and over. Never give up on God’s church. He doesn’t.
• There’s as much listening as there is singing. My elementary school music teacher always said, “As you sing in this choir, listen for your neighbor next to you. Never sing louder than him and never sing softer.” We were learning to participate together by listening and singing at the same time.
• There are no soloists in harmony. Every now and then a maverick member tries to work alone. I think that’s called singing in the shower. I heard a very wise man say that spiritual gifts can never be fully functioning apart from the body of Christ, the church. Harmony requires interdependence and the rejection of individualism. Isolation too is to be avoided.
Third, sing the notes assigned to you. A choir has many voices and differing ranges. For example, some men sing bass and some sing tenor. There are some ladies who sing alto and some soprano. It would be ineffective to ask the soprano to sing bass notes. It would be silly for a tenor to sing soprano (although there are some who try). By singing and working in one’s strength, the overall result is beautiful music.
Finally, singing harmony pleases the Conductor. Paul instructed believers to “present your bodies a living sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1) Beginning in verse three (Rom 12:3) Paul explains that each believer has been given a gift. Each gift fits with other gifts to make up a complete church. Sacrificing self and supporting the church through active gifts pleases the Conductor. When God’s people sing His songs with the unique voice given each of them, God, the Author/Conductor, is honored and the church becomes a Choir for the gospel and the glory of God.
Register below for the bible study class called "eChurchHarmony." Class begins September 1 at 6:30 in room 245.
