Centennial Family,
On behalf of the Session and its Worship Committee, I am writing this letter to you to let you know about a change to our Sunday morning worship liturgy. All three opportunities for congregational singing (the two hymns and benediction response) will now be at the end of the service. In other words, the “first song” will come after the sermon, allowing for those uncomfortable with the singing portion of worship to excuse themselves to the lawn to hear (and even sing!) as the service concludes. Let me explain.
This covid-19 season has been a doozy for many churches and other institutions because of the rather broad spectrum of belief regarding safety measures, government oversight, “new normals” that have blown old routines to smithereens, and so on. At Centennial and from the beginning, we have tried to walk a highly biblical middle ground.
At the start of all this, when the scientific thought was catastrophic mortality rates when infected, we felt we needed to close the doors to honor the sixth commandment and preserve life (Exodus 20:13). At the same time, this is why we “shot for the moon” with a livestream rather than prerecorded worship services on Sunday mornings. Even in crisis, we would still gather as a people as best we could (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Even so, it was that same phrase from Hebrews 10:25—not neglecting to meet together—that stirred the Session to reopen the doors as the world learned more of this virus. And, if you recall, it was not the government (local, state, or national) that dictated when we did this. Rather, we waited until we could livestream from the sanctuary because we dared not divide the congregation between those willing to come and those desirous to stay home for safety reasons (Ephesians 4:1-6). At the same time as the reopening, we began our “full mask ask,” which included requiring masks while singing. Even our choir and myself mask up. And we have done it in humility, recognizing that a little piece of cloth is a price worth paying to see us gather together. Did you know there are some who disagree with the masks? Even so, and indeed, they have partnered with me in humility even as Paul the apostle showed us. I have become all things, and I do it all for the sake of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). These are but a few of the guiding biblical principles we have used in this season. Now we come to Romans 14:13-23:
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
What hath meat to do with masks and choirs to do with unclean foods? Your Session’s answer would be pastoral. Our strong desire is to see our people gather again in totality. But Christian conscience is a powerful (and to be respected) thing, as can be seen in Romans 14. With this in mind, when the Session discovered several families and individuals who were refraining from coming to physical worship due to the singing element, we began to pray how to move forward.
The Session feels singing to be a vital aspect of public corporate worship (Psalm 96, and so on). The Session intentionally has the liturgy set (for instance, after being called by the Call to Worship, we sing). But this does not mean that in times of crisis, the Session can’t move certain pieces of the liturgy to allow the most people to gather. This is not a forever change, and, of course, it will feel very different, but please recognize our pastoral heart.
Moving songs can seem mundane. Why send a letter? Why do it in the first place? Dear Centennial, remember we are people! People are involved in this. The Session is not making a theological decision, though theology is on our side. Let it be known that the Session of Centennial ARP Church is making a pastoral decision seeking to bring our people home—family by family and person by person.
We understand that even with this change, not all will feel comfortable returning. That’s why we have the livestream, but it’s also why we are praying that this virus be removed from our midst. Remember my call for the fall season at our church: 1) worship God, 2) do it in unity, and 3) focus on the people. I hope you can see our desires playing out. Don’t just survive, dear ones, thrive. And as we do that as a body, as we worship God in unity, as we care for our own and others, let’s watch God work wonders in our midst. May the Lord continue to be glorified at Centennial ARP Church. God’s blessings this week and always,
Jeremiah Thomas