What is going on at RHCC?

I've been a member there for over 30 years.
The congregation has taken the heat for many of the things it has done it the past.
I generally thought others were out of line for speaking against us...but
now I'm beginning to think maybe they were right.

I will be happy to go along with instruments of music in the worship if anyone
can give me a Scripture in the New Testament that allows or reccommends this act.

I'm afraid the elders have lost their way.

Just show me one, only one New Testament scripture that approves of this type of worship.

This is truly a sad day

The preacher, Rick Atchley said the name of the church will not change.

The worship service with instruments will be on Saturday Evening Only, we were told.

Sounds like what Max Lucado in San Antonio and Chris Seidman at Farmer's Branch Church of Christ are doing.

If I understood Rick correctly, he will be preaching the next 3 weeks on this
subject and telling the congregation why he thinks the church is being called to move in this direction.

According to their web-site, the First Colony Church of Christ will also have a "acapella and instrumental" service on Sunday Night, December 24, 2006. It will also have a candle lighting.

Interesting, huh?

BUT Job answered and said, Job 21:1 <>
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. Job 21:2
Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. Job 21:3
As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? Job 21:4

It may be that Job tells the oldest story in the Bible about religious rituals. There are many Babylonian Tablets--which I can direct you to--which shows the almost 100% connection between music and fertility rituals using sex and homosexuality. The inventions of Jubal, Jabal, Tubal-Cain and Naamah speak of the ways the Cainite family gained control over others with these "power multiplying devices." That may be why INSTRUMENT and WEAPON comes from the same Hebrew Word and this is repeated in Greek.

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth Job 21:5 .
Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. Job 21:6
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Job 21:7
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Job 21:8
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Job 21:9
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. Job 21:10
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. Job 21:11
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. Job 21:12

End Times Rev 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians [Apollyon's muses or locusts] and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, [theater builders and stage managers] of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone [called a pipe, made a wistling sound to attract] shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Jubal HANDLED the pipe or organ meaning WITHOUT AUTHORITY:

And his brothers name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle (meaning without authority) the harp and organ. Ge.4:21
"It (the pipe meaning to love passionately) was apparently a secular instrument and is never listed in the temple orchestra; only in Ps. 150:4 it is mentioned in a religious (but not ritual) function. Its ethos was not blameless at all, as we see from Genesis Rabbah 50:

"The angels said to Lot: There are players of the pipe (organ) in the country, hence it ought to be destroyed. Its rabbinical identification with the aboda, the flute of the notorious Syrian bayaderes [prostitutes], emphasizes the erotic element which already the Hebrew name suggests. (Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, p. 460, Abingdon).

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Job 21:13

Note the THEREFORE: Music is ALWAYS the MARK of repudiating God and His words: "mighty men" get consumed with worms while they still live.

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Job 21:14

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Job 21:15

This is what Jesus identifies as the HYPOCRITES pointing to Isaiah and also to Ezekiel 33. There, rhetorical speaking, singing or playing instruments are MARKS of people who are collecting money or just being entertained.

Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. Job 21:16
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. Job 21:17

End Times Rev 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were GREAT MEN of the earth; for by thy SORCERIES were all nations deceived.

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. Job 21:18

End Times Rev 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

Rev 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Rev 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Yes, FRUITS have always been FRUITS and their MARK is music: no exception.

THUS hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. Amos 8:1

And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The END is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. Amos 8:2

The performing arts in the "holy place" is both the MARK and CAUSE of rampant effeminacy and homosexuality. That is why music in Revelation was the MARK of the End of the Babylon Harlot. The candles have been removed and IF they remove CHRIST from their identifier it will be JESUS CHRIST picking up His candlestick (the seven spirits of knowledge) and saying I WILL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN.

Keluwb (h3619) kel-oob'; from the same as 3611; a bird-trap (as furnished with a clap-stick or treadle to spring it); hence a basket (as resembling a wicker cage): - basket, cage.

As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of DECEIT: therefore they are become GREAT, and waxen RICH. Je.5:27

Keleb (h3611) keh'leb; from an unused root mean. to yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute: - dog.

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly [multitude, swarm] of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Ps.22:16

Yea, they are greedy DOGS which can never have enough, and they are SHEPHERDS that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Is.56:11

And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. Je.15:3

Paul warns NOT to worship in the FLESH because the concision and dogs are lurking to EAT you: they sing love songs and howl and make noises. Paul also warned that it would be the ELDERS or SHEPHERDS who would turn into WOLVES (Homosexuals) and break down the walls to let them in to contaminate you with a virus infinitely more deadly than HIV.

You need to read through First Maccabees (It was in the Bible Jesus quoted and also Paul) to see that the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION was permitting theatrical performers always MARKED (true or not) as homosexuals. The end time prophecy is that the Holy Harlot will have Apollyon unleash the LOCUSTS who in John's secret code are the MUSES who along with the other musical and performing "artists" are called SORCERERS.

http://www.piney.com/1Macc.html

You are in mortal danger because The Book of Enoch and dozens of similar testimonies by those who knew original languages is that SATAN takes over the youth (Rick boasts about their Rocking outside of "assembly") and trains them how to seduce people away from the Living Word using mixed-sex choirs, singers, musical instruments, "wearing of apparel" and other seductive means. Romans 1 defines the END OF THE ROAD for them because once they fell and made the MUSIC-IS-WORSHIP connection they could NEVER GET UP. The music at Richlands is not a PROBLEM: it is a MARK of a group who took glory and God is burning them up on a bed of maggots along with HER harps and still-living harpists. Isa 30 shows the ONLY PEOPLE for whom Jude and Enoch says God is coming with ten thousand angels: Topheth, the king's music grove which is the model of hell, was SPECIFICIALLY PREPARED for Lucifer and all she can gobble up using music.

http://www.piney.com/Isa30LXX.html

As the restatement of the musical instruments in Daniel point out 666, you are now at the point where you must BOW OR BURN. In the same test of Jesus when the perverts PIPED you must bow, sing and dance the Dionysus initiation as the Abomination of Desolation. Not in the vilest pagan temple could singers and musicians enter into the holy places. No Levitical Warrior Musician could enter into the silent type of the church of Christ without being executed--no, not even to clean out garbage left by the Musical Syrians and Greeks.

Isaiah 30, if true, shows you how to IDENTIFY the large masses which Jesus would never attend being BEATEN into HELL with the same "wind, string and percussion instruments" lucifer brought with her into the garden of Eden. Today she goes by the name of ZOE.

You must grasp that Jesus treated the "skolion singers" (well document) or perverted musicians as the CROOKED GENERATION and our salvation is FROM those John identified as a generaton (RACE) of Vipers. That is why they use the same terrorism, lying and cleating their genetic brothers used on 9/11.

Revelation 5 and Revelation 15 mention harps. God Himself even gave the harps out in 15:2. Last I knew, Revelation was still part of the New Testament. Hmmm....sounds like there might be some harps going on in heaven.

Unless you are a DEAD VIRGIN don't try this IN CHURCH. Like Genesis, Revelation is written to fool the fools and to give the believers a MARK to identify CHURCH or CIRCE who was the Mother of Harlots who used music and encantations to SEDUCE people to turn them into swine. Then SHE fed them "sermons" made of hand-kneeded DUNG balls. Does that sound about right? I have tried to listen to some of your sermons. I THINK you guys pass the test.

They will ALWAYS lie about ALL of the musical terms and names of instruments which point to Lucifer (Zoe), warriors, prostitutes or Sodomites. That is the message of The Book of Enoch. Why is it that I, a tired retired engineer can collect LIBRARIES of information and it is 100% a MARK of telling God to SHUT YOUR FACE and YOU--a one candle power bulb--pay the Dukes of Hazard to FLEECE your lambs? The sermonic, non Biblical fluff, singers standing in the Holy Places CLAIMING to be Jesus to "lead you into the presence of God" and Spirit/Word repudiating erotic praise songs OUTS gender bleed is ALL defacto telling Jesus: SHUT YOUR FACE. It violates direct commands for the wilderness, the practice of the synagogue approved by Jesus, the meaning of EKKLESIA which had NO worship rituals, the direct commands of Paul OUTLAWING the sermonizing and "creation of mental excitement" and the universal practice of the church for almost 400 years.

Hitler noted that if you could get the HUMAN MATERIAL involved in a GREAT DEMONSTRATION the masses would convince you that they were right. That is why it was prophesied that Jesus would NOT call assemblies of the MASSES. You have to go OUTSIDE to find him says Paul and that is why I say that you WILL NEVER find Him being 'reproached' as prophesied.

Jamison-Fausett-Brown notes that:
"In the Jewish temple, musical instruments and singing resounded during
the whole time of the offering of the sacrifices, which formed the first part of the service.
But at the offering of incense, solemn silence was kept ("My soul waiteth upon God," Ps 62:1; "is silent," Margin; Ps 65:1, Margin),
Duwmiyyah (h1747) doo-me-yaw'; from 1819; stillness; adv. silently; abstr. quiet, trust: - silence, silent, waiteth.

the people praying secretly all the time. The half-hour stillness implies, too, the earnest adoring expectation with which the blessed spirits and the angels await the succeeding unfolding of God's judgments. A short space is implied; for even an hour is so used (Re 17:12 18:10,19).

What they heard was from heaven: not during EKKLESIA or SYNAGOGUE PLEASE!<>

And I heard a sound from heaven
LIKE the roar of rushing waters and
LIKE <>a loud peal of thunder. <>The sound I heard was
LIKE that of harpists playing their harps. Rev 14:2NIV

And I heard a VOICE from heaven, the sound
LIKE of many waters and
LIKE the sound of loud thunder, and the VOICE which I heard was
LIKE the sound of harpists playing on their harps. Rev 14:2NAS

Why do you think HARPS are literal? Thunder machines? Rushiing Waters machine? Bubble Machine? although they HAD harps but if literal they REFUSED to play them? Firstly, a preacher, singer or musician who ENTERED the Holy or Most Holy Place would be intantly educated. In Hezekiah's refom that included NOT EVEN to clean out the garbage.

In Psalm 137 the people have SURVIVED and "hung up their harps on the willow." The Willow was the symbol of Orpheus and it was the JOY of pagan idolatry the people lusted for in Jerusalem. Now, they have survived the BEAST. But, they often went in musical procession to BURN INFANTS. Of this BEASE (Zoe is defined as "the beast and female instructing principle"):

Rev 13: 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh FIRE come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Did you notice that the Zoe Group and an ACU professor are CALLING for FIRE to fall from heaven? If you grasp Isaiah 30 you will understand that God IS now beating them into HELL to the beat of "Wind, String and Percussion" instruments which LUCIFER / ZOE brought into the garden of Eden to introduce adultery and sodomy. They are REPEATED as SORCERY in Revelation 18 "In a church in YOUR stock yard.)

This is why you need all of the operatives of the HYPOCRITIC SECTARIANISM in order to repeat the PATTERNISM for which Richalnd may be the VISUAL AID of Isaiah30 being literally fulfilled. Pliney wrote about these miracles which were using TECHNE or CRAFTSMANSHIP one of the SORCERERS in Revelation 18.

http://www.piney.com/HistLivydeBacc.html

To think nothing unlawful was the grand maxim of their religion. The men, as if bereft of reason, uttered predictions, with frantic contortions of their bodies; the women, in the habit of Bacchantes, with their hair disheveled, and carrying blazing torches, ran down to the Tiber; where, dipping their torches in the water, they drew them up again with the flame unextinguished, being composed of native sulphur and charcoal.

They said that those men were carried off by the gods, whom the machines laid hold of and dragged from their view into secret caves.
These were such as refused to take the oath of the society, or to associate in their crimes, or to submit to defilement. [They PIPED trying to get Jesus to sing and dance and BOW for the INITIATION of which MUSIC IS THE UNIVERSAL MARK in religionism]

This number was exceedingly great now, almost a second state in themselves, and among them were many men and women of noble families.

During the last two years it had been a rule, that no person above the age of twenty should be initiated;
for they sought for people of such age as made them more liable to suffer deception and personal abuse.

That is why from beginning to end, the religious musical operatives were the muses (FILTHY prostitutes) or SODOMITES. You will NEVER find any exception. Therefore, the MUSIC is the MARK of the WOLVES Paul warned about in Acts 20.

Any singer or musician who attempted to play an instrument in the Holy Place as a type of the church of Christ woud be a dead man-killed by his 'brethren.' So, unless you are a DEAD VIRGIN don't rush it. The message to the LIVING is PREACH THE GOSPEL.

"It is trivial to ask and then to explain how the elders managed the zither and the incense bowl so as to play on the former. .. Why not also ask what was done with the zither and the bowl when the elders fell down?
Are not the odors coming from the bowls prayers?. 'Each one has a zither' is only the common individualization found with the plurals, which might have been used also with reference to the bowls but is not necessary in the case of the second object." (Lenski, Rev. p. 204)

"Let my prayer be set before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psa. 141:2).

BOTH the HARPS [outside in the slaughter pens] and INCENSE [looking into the holy place] have been replaced by HYMNS which are the prayers of the saints. Jesus EXAMPLED, Paul COMMANDED and the early church PRACTICED using "that which is written." Otherwise the songs and non-Biblical sermons are a MARK of "lost beyond redemption" Heb 6 and of the CROOKED GENERATION or "Skolion singers."

http://www.piney.com/Acts.2.Crooked.html

Again, of those still on Earth (That's us): "The fact remains that the persons depicted as approaching the deceased on Greek oinment jars are NEVER playing their instruments... the person bearing the cithara is stretching out his hands toward the gravestone on which the dead man is sitting as if he wished to offer the latter the instrument."

Why? "In antiquity, singing and instrumental music, playing and dancing were considered to be the chief occupation and pastime of the blessed... The popular religions of the time, especially Orphism and the mystery cults, portrayed the life of the blessed as a continual banquet."

No: no one PLAYS instruments. No: this is NOT music but a VOICE (as in V.O.I.C.E.). The VOICE sounds like THUNDER but it was a VOICE. Only the perverted THEATRICAL PERFORMERS used "Thunder Machines" to fool the fools. Sounding brass and tinkling cymbals were STAGE machines. They are the TECHNE performing SORCERY if you get to Revelation 18. After the LAMPS of the LOST (you) have gone out as MARKED by SORCERY-PERFORMERS then Revelation 19 has blessed silence and SINGING ONLY. When you PAY and STRAY using a false and ignorant preacher you are PROVING that he has REFUSED and you have not risen above CULT (community church) status to be a DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ.

It was LIKE the sound of RUSHING WATERS which is a sound of judgment: LAMBS will not feed beside RUSHING WATERS and only a WOLF would lead the lambs to the SOUND.SHEPHERDS are prophesied to be WOLVES and wolves are Paul's DOGS lurking outside of the human SPIRIT which is the Most Holy Place where you meet God one at a time. The ASSEMBLY or GATHERING is defined by Paul as SYNAGOGUE "which had no preachers and NO praise service." No! You are NOT a church of Christ but a CIRCE and the Mother has taken over. Lurkiing behind all religionism--history takes note--lurks a dominant WOMAN or an EFFEMINATE MALE. All performance rhetoric and singing rather than SPEAK or SAY (the masculine) is the MARK of what Plato called a gender-bleed which becomes FACT when you perform the ACT long enough.

Sorry bout that but we have been warning for years! No one can CLAIM that music is remotely acceptable or that Scripture from the Garden of Eden to NOW in Texas (Revelation) and be HONEST. Enoch and Jude identifies them as fallen STARS (stars always fall from being lifted up) or Wandering Stars who all of the Bible treats as a DIFFERENT SPECIES called a generation of vipers or sons of the Devil because they "speak on their own." It is the agents of Satan and all they can seduce, according to Enoch and all contemporaneous literature FOR WHOM God is coming with ten thousands of his angels or saints to burn up in Hell. Isaiah 30 says that the ONLY REASON it was prepared was for those so seduced by MUSIC and God is now BEATING them into hell with wind, string and percussion instruments. God often punishes people with the FRUITS people lusted after. You are IN an event of BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS and anyone who stays and pays has picked the LOSER.

Your message sounded as if you really believe that God would put physical harps in heaven. The streets in heaven have been described as 'streets of gold', these are simply physical ideas to describe the spiritual.

There is no justification for instrumental music execept it sounds good to some and many denominations use it.

There is instrumental music used in the Bible. Why was it not authorized to be used in New Testament worship? Why did Jewish synagogues not use it in their worship? Why are there still Jewish groups that sing acapella? How is it that Pepperine University can host an acapella choral and music type conference open to any church in the world? How is it that early New Testamental history shows the early church singing acapella? Did they not read Psalms too? Why did the early religous leaders in America of many main-line denominations disagree with the use of instrumental music in the denominations that now use them? It would seem that pure speculation based on prely emotional appeal only--should be suspect. But there is no questions asked policy. Simply that Christians who don't really care have not considered Bible research important. Only feelings. This is dangerous to any discerning Christian. Do the research--then ask questions. We don't need argumentive statements. We need carefully worded statements based on love. A better way to ask is: What about instrumental music mentioned in the book of Revelation [Singular 'Revelation'--not 'Revelations']? Teach me--how would you communicate in love about this issue? Love is so important and I really believe that God has given us the wisdom to communicate on any given Biblical issue and also know when no one wants to discuss the issue anymore. What a challenge! Let's sing God's way--not the popular cultural way! I sing acapella and will never change and I went to ACU too.

Harps in heaven and no male nor female either. Guess what else? No marriage.
For You see there are a lot of things different in heaven than here on earth. One thing is for sure heaven will be the way God wants it and not one will change that. Too bad we can't do the same with the Chruch music- that is give God what HE wants.

A written response

With the news of the largest Church of Christ in America going instrumental comes thousands of responses, opinions and internet blogs. Many want me to respond to the events that have taken place in just the past few weeks. This being such a joyous time of the year with family and church friends just let me say that this in no way shape or form affects my personal faith or challenges me to make any changes.

It seems like the self proclaimed producers of church modifications think that they have inventively come up with something new and different. All these groups are doing is the same thing the Israelites did in the days of old. It seems like it is more fun to play and get attention than to actually provide scripture for what they are doing. And where is the heart in all this. Where is the love? I was left for dead by a group of these transitional people from a physical injury over four years ago. No visits, No phone calls and not even a mention on their newsletter prayer list. It is true that mega churches can produce substantial gifts to missions and other organizations but where is the heart to go along with the check? Why is there so much publicity and announcing and tooting on their arrogant horn? I find it amusing how our brotherhood publications can make loud announcements of this and let people suffer and even work at cover-up for the deception of their family institutions. It appears to me there are other things that would be of top priority than meeting to pray and fast over if it’s okay to disobey Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19. I remember being in the ropes of change taking place in an institution and that organization has now become totally undeniably one of the most arrogant places on earth today. How does this happen? It all has to do with leadership and attitude.

“Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways and in the ancient paths. They made them walk in bypaths and on roads not built up. - Jer 18:15

See it there? You start by walking on the by-path. You know what the by path is? That is a path not directed by the word of God. Your Idol is that someone with a big nice subdivision house with a real nice smile and a leadership that is full of deceit and underhanded deception. He or she comes along and prays and goes on a big fast and you might say, Oh look how he or she is hurting to get us off this old dusty ancient path to follow a new route. The truth is they are pressured wanting the next generation to be happy. After all isn’t that what all these splits and divisions are over? WHAT MAKES ONE HAPPY?

The big question I want to ask at this point is this, and then I will get back to work.
In all this is God happy? That is the question.

I am so happy and satisfied to be worshiping with the A cappella faithful.

To the many doubters let me say that we’re going to be around for a long, long time.

Have a good week.

This makes the two largest Churches of Christ in the US, Oak Hills and Richland Hills instrumental. How many more will follow?

I was there when they announced the Sat. night service with instruments. The one thing I remember is that they said do not go out and talk about the church without first going to the elders and talking about the decision. Have you gone to them and asked them about this decision. If you haven't then the only real unbibical practice going on is the fact that instead of going to your brother when you have a problem you started gossiping and talking about things you do not know fully about. Please GO TO YOUR BROTHERS!!!

Sounds like all of the marks of a cult. Of course the elders are NOT the leaders as your web page makes perfectly clear: you are GOVERENCED by a STAFF INFECTION which has no Biblical or ethical authority to exist. The elders are SHEPHERDS of the BISHOPS as Shelly made perfectly clear in defining the New World Order. When the elders fired God and said "set a king over us" God gave you a PATTERNISM of how the king slurps up all of your TIME and CASH and puts his friends on the STAFF eating up the widow's mite which they STILL want to colllect.

The elders have NO AUTHORITY to do anything but "teach that which has been taught" and exemplify the Christian life. You OBEY by observing what they teach FROM SCRIPTURE ONLY and by "watching the outcome of their lives."

Why would they want to arm wrestle you ONE AT A TIME which sounds like an INTIMIDATING "I dare you to show yourself not inner circle by daring to question God's annointeds. We be pretty smart, Stephen, we know what has been building by STEALTH and false teaching for YEARS: it Scriptural they could make the announcement and be done with it instantly.

There is no way to PRETEND to bring in those Jesus MARKED as SECTARIAN HYPOCRITES using the BIBLE without have "lost connection with the head." Anyone who can be scammed into believing that you need a CLERGY to replace the APPROVED EXAMPLE of Jesus, the Direct Command of Paul and the universal practice for hundreds of years is defined by God as BLIND and there is NO ROLE for the blind in the SPIRIT realm where spirits are being prepared ONLY through the Word which Jesus said IS Spirit and IS life.

John also marked them as SORCERERS of the Mother of Harlots: why is it that they can FOOL old Stephen? Paul called them CORRUPTERS OF THE WORD because they "sell learning at retail" and the same word means ADULTERY. If you DEFEND those Jesus accused of being a CROOKED GENERATION then you ARE one. Are you also on the DOLE?

Has every one Ok'ed the Worship on "Saturday", what, Sunday is no longer the Lords Day, the Day to Worship?

I know we should worship day and night 7 days a week but I don't think that was what God had in mind concerning the Church as a whole coming together.

If their going to change things well lets do Sabboth again too.

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is a sad day for Richland Hills. I have been through this before in San Antonio, and it is only a matter of time before what happens on Saturday night becomes the norm for Sunday morning. You should give it no more than two years.

You must remember that Max and Rick were roommates in college. They are good friends. Nothing happens at Oak Hills without Rick knowing about it, and vice versa.

This saddens me on a personal basis to know end. I have known Max since he came to San Antonio years ago. I knew Rick in college and listened to him frequently at Southern Hills in Abilene when he was a student preacher.

Here is the website for Rick Atchley's classes at RHCC concerning the use of musical instruments in worship

http://www.rhchurch.org/praise/Both-And_Church.html

If you have time to listen you can have first hand knowlege of his
positions, instead of just word of mouth or he said, she said.......

Rick After a three year period of much study, prayer, and fasting, the leadership of the Richland Hills Church of Christ has decided to add a third weekend assembly that will include instrumental praise. The following is the teaching presented to the church body regarding the biblical support and motivation for this decision. We trust that you will be blessed as you listen with an open Bible and an open mind.

Off the starting block that is a lie: Rick has been moving the church toward insrumental music of years.
Secondly, if they studied the Bible then they are in the delusional stage because they will get nothing but specific commands NOT to "make music" or noise and the universal connection between music and telling God "we will not listen to you."

Thirdly, normal people do not get revelations to violate direct commandments through prayer: If God has not told you what you can pray for then it is NOT in God's will. Praying for a REVELATION which must have been a vision (lucado) or audible (Shelly)and you should ask HOW they got the ok to deliberately sow discord and go pagan.

The reason it takes time IN the Anderson Navigating the Winds of Change is that using gradualism they push you to the edge and draw back: because YOU refuse to confront those who have NO Biiblical authority to ride on widows they reach a time when they LURCH FORWARD and you have been Hegeled to the point that you resist. This in itself is the most vicious form of mind control Defined clearly by Machiavelli, Le Bon, Hitler and Lynn Anderson.

Thirdly, if they REALLY fasted rather than trying to fool you it can lead to hallucinations: Fasting is what you DON'T do when you are too busy doing what God has commanded you.

Fourthly, "there was no PRAISE SERVICE in the synagogue" and it was outlawed for 'the church in the wilderness." Praise singing is one of the oldest most legalistic superstitions from Babylon. God cannot be influenced by praise and the PRACTICE was always known to bind YOU to the Alpha Male.

Fifthly, ALL of the musical terms which speak of "machines" are EQUATED to doing WORK. The musical warrior Levites SERVICE meant HARD BONDAGE.

HE WILL LIE ABOUT EVERY FACT ABOUT MUSIC: you should do a transcript and I will prove to any honest believer that they deliberately lie about every musical term: their proof texts also point to allowing deviants in as PRIESTLING.

I amd downloading a system to listen because I cannot look at the man: I will report back.

Please someone FORCE them to publish a WRITTEN copy beacue RHETORIC and SOPHISTRY along with the MUSIC intends to silence your RATIONAL mind so that it sounds good BECAUSE you cannot check the phoney proof texts.

There are many many people not happy with this new announcement. Rick keeps saying he is 'encouraged by the maturity and encouraging words' by members. Maybe he thinks by saying that, we will be brain washed to do so.

I am so sad, I have young children and I don't know what to think. I hear both sides and can see their reasonings, but then I think I want to throw my hands up because I don't know what to do. Leave? Drag my kids from congregation to congregation?

Goebels quoted it but Hitler invented it: "If you tell a lie often enough people will believe it." Part of the planned postmodern theology where the olden Bible got lost in a black hole (true) is to Harp, Harp, Harp (smile) that YOU are a looser and EVERYONE is on OUR side and YOU will be the troubler. Remeber that from Playground grade 1? However, I reviewed Rubel Shelly's sermosn for a long time when he almost couldn't preach without using termis like "non-instrumental" or sectarian or legalistic or patternist: now YOU would not want ot question ME and make ME think that YOU are a hypocritical PATTERNIST would you? I think you have heard the same big fat lies.

God sent US into the world to preach the gospel: there is no GOSPEL PREACHER listed in the gifted people by Paul: the elders sole duty is to teach the WHOLE truth to make sure that they are not BLOWN AROUND by winds of doctrines. That word, too, points to the perverted arousal people used to make them HALLLUCINATE that they are feeling the spirit person inside.

The church does not belong to either Rick or the Elders: the duty of the elders is to "teach that which has been taught" and "refute those who oppose it." The elders are doing neither and they have no UNQUESTIIONED authority as Rick tries to use as psychological force.

Your duty to obey is to listen to what they teach FROM that which has been taught and 'watch the outcome of their lives.' Because there is some underground pressure point, the elders have been demoted to being 'shepherds' while Rick is the governing person. He has no BIBLICAL authority as a preacher and therefore he is on the PAYROLL "by YOUR leave." The word DEMAGOGUE is a tyrant who "appeases people using the performing arts." This word connects closely to KLEPTOMA.

Because YOU have more commission than Rick because he is a HIRELING, it is YOUR duty to make sure that the FLOCK knows when the elders have bared their wolf fanges to let the world INSIDE rather than keeping it out.

You have the duty to prepare a rebuttal and send it to every household. You have the duty to do a teaching add (I have thought I would finance that) to allert the whole area to what is going on. THEY will accuse YOU of sowing discord because THAT is part of the bluff. Just like the "EVERYONE APPROVES of our actions," asserts that those who OPPOSE them have some kind of mental or spiritual problem. Believe me: this thing has been WELL PLANNED and they began by using CODED TERMS which I can find and have posted from Machiavelli, Le Bonn or Hitler. The WAY to force the HUMAN MATERIAL to support the INTELLECTUAL LEADERS is to make the GREAT DEMONSTRATION of a MASS MOVEMENT. The goal, and I will post some Mein Kampt, is that when people see that EVERYONE IS DOING IT they become part of something GREATER than themselves and this is DEFACTO proof that the Hitlers are right and YOU will get hurt if you stand in their way.

With or without this TEN YEAR PLAN to divert YOUR property into being a CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Rick has told you clearly that the COLLEGES have quit teaching the ANTI-instrumental position and they boast about training people to go out and CHANGE the old conservative (Biblical) churches of Christ. Therefore, you are in the downgrade of a planned movement to RESTRUCTURE churches of Christ. It is NOT having much result other than the "musical worship teams" which probably explains why the spiritual or rational people don't attend.

Rick told you Sunday that

1. Because NO ONE teaches that instrumental music is wrong anymore (NO ONE BUT LEGALISTS!)
2. We MIGHT as well confess up and ADD instrumental music.

See how slick it went down. But, only in Paul's words, to FOOLS who love to be FOOLED.

Rick has PERVERTED every single fact he has used as PROOF TEXT: if you are paying someone to tell you that the Spirit OF Christ said something when the very text says just the opposite, I believe that you are watching blasphemy of the Spirit of Christ. If this was NOT the case you would see some literate elder making some defense rather than sending a hireling out to fend off the opposition. Rick works because his rhetoric (one of the Hypocritic arts according to Jesus) because his SPEECH is LOUD and THREATENING. Don't be fooled: people who bluff turn tail when they are opposed. Resist and he WILL flee.

Of course, the long-range-plan was to NEVER defend yourself. If Rick is not a coward he should use any of his LIFTED "raw assertions" and be faithful to the DIRECT COMMAND to teach the WHOLE TRUTH.

You have been spiritually abused for many, many years and EVERYONE knows it. Growth is NOT a sign of a healthy church: a healthy church CANNOT be the respected center of CIVIC PRICE.

Don't be CULTIFIED into believing that if YOU object then YOU are the sower of discord. That was used on my old church in Seattle where they lied, cheated and stole the church house of widows and claimed that ANYONE who would object to instrumental music would restore slavery.

Listen, the big guns are all teetery and you need to TURN THE BLUFF against them.

Time is short and THIS is the time and place where you always wished that "I could have been there in Jerusalem: I would not betray him." You only get one SPIRIT-THREATENING moment and when it is all over you will spend the rest of your life living like a Judas. I think that most of the males must have been neutered.

Believe me: there is NO LAW OF GIVING: they all lie about it and Paul and all of church history told me so. Without FUNDING they cannot destroy lives and families. You don't OWE anything into the collection plate unless and when Rick is DESTITUTE. Please grasp the CULT CONTROL: there is NO law of tithing or giving and I can quote you much of the history. Paul denied it.

If you SUPPORT a sower of discord you ARE a sower of discord: you don't HAVE to be chased out of YOUR church home. You will remember that one of the thesis was that you may have to put INSTRUMENTAL WORSHIP ahead of your FAMILIES. Didn't I hear that plainly?

Don't ever hesitate when the TRUTH is on your side and the ELDERS have had some kind of mystical bondage exercised on them and THEY ARE TOTALLY WRONG. If Instrumental music in the face of a holy God who meets to speak to us wont' send you to hell I am PRETTY SURE that lying and sowing discord will do it. I think there is a FOG OF FEAR and you need to gamble some risk: I have been threatened so I went out and bought some pressure treated 6X6 and sent one of the BIG GUNS my name, address and directions. He is is the curing family problems or bad breath or something or another to keep from working.

In a Nashville church the deacons fired the elders AND the preacher. In another church, a active SELF-DEFENSE effort kept them form going ALL THE WAY.

Dont' give up: this is YOUR TIME to make that fateful decison. And make no mistake: everyone will decide to violate ALL of the biblical facts about music or stand up and be counted. You cannot hide. Look into that teaching add in the paper: worked for me locally.

E-mails welcome but be sure that the return is correct because otherwise I cannot respond. I don't tattle or sell addresses.

Contrary to Rick's false claim: This is the Day God has prepared for YOU to resist a Hostile Takeover by outside troublers. There have been many churches deliberately discorded with Musical Worship Teams (blasphemy 101a: they CLAIM to replace Jesus). However, there have been only a few who have gone instrumental. Ask Rick if YOU can read YOUR E-mails since they came into YOUR computer: I say that it is Playground, Grade 1.

Pass the word about CONCERNED MEMBERS. Believe me, I have collected MOST of the material about instrumental music including Babylonian Tablets maybe 2,000 years older than Moses and there IS ONLY ONE CORRECT SIDE.

I think if all of the members will go back and listen to one of the sermons [one of the last ones in the series] in the "United Kingdom" series, you will hear Rick say "The Christian Church is not going to get rid of their bands and we are not going to go out and buy instruments ...." Now, here it is, nine months after that statement and what is Rick and his brainwashed group of elders about to do? Go out and buy instruments, the very thing that he pleged just nine months ago would not happen. When he said "we," he was including Richland Hills, not just a general statement of all Churches of Christ.

This may be both an oral and a moral, binding contract.
They have solicited, preasured and taken your money and you have sacrificed trusting in the elders.

They have PROMISED you that they will not go instrumental: being LEGALISTS they will just plead that "everyone has to buy their own." But, it won't work.

Because of the public repudiation of everything the group assumed they believed, they have still continued to collect money with a decade-old plan.

Therefore, because this is not a brother but an IRS recognized INSTITUTION with fiduciary responsiblity, it may be appropriate for all who HAVE left or will leave or who disagrees with the diversion of funds to seek legal redress.

Jesus Christ set the example of kicking over collection plates (called trumpets) and depriving the Jews of the house where they ACCEPTED the widown's mites. As I understand it, the widow's "trumpet" like the poor box in the synagoogues went ONLY to the widows and destitute.

If you have records of your contributions you might try a class action. I would check with a brother attorney. Like Seattle, they probably have shreded the "creed in the deed" against instruments but they know that they are violating the trust of all of those dead people and the weeping mothers and widows and broken families which seem to be "acceptable losses."

Lord, please come quickly!

Mr. Sublett,
Regarding your December 20 post, I thought lawsuits among believers was specifically forbidden. Or are the "instrumentalists" now "non-believers"?

When a church is founded and collects money on some given basis upon which the givers agree, but then decides to divert the money into a totally different fellowship, there should be some way for the investors to be able to divide up the resources.

I am just suggesting that those who feel cheated should seek some kind of outside mediation: perhaps the elders of the local congregations.

The smudging of the name of the Church of Christ has already taken place and those who try inform the world that this is a deviation and not a new "patternism' should not be labelled as troublers or sowers of discord. Nevertheless, all such new SECTING OFF gives everyone the opportunity to study because RESTUDY would not state the facts..

I know it is hard to consider moving congregations. What's even harder is trying to explain it to the kids. Some may never understand others may not want to believe. But you don't have to go far from where you are now to find a good solid Bible teaching church. If you need help just email me and I will give you names and then you can decide. The decision is yours. But just staying is not going to change their minds. You need to take a look at what is most important to you and your family. Your souls.

I went to the new Saturday night service this evening expecting to find lots of empty seats. I don't why I thought that, but I did. Instead what I found was standing room only seating. The response to having instrumental music was far more enthusiastic than I ever expected. I honestly don't know what to make of it.

You should remember that Rick OUTED his decade old AGENDA when he lied about all of the Bible. However, most of us have been aware that he has been working with others including the NACC as an a capella PLANT and publically promoting instrumental music for years. The "bridges?" I believe is instrumental.

So, the process of gradualism promoted by Lynn Anderson was carefully followed in the process of '"boiling a frog." If you check you will probably find that most of the truth seekers had leftl long ago and the process has replaced their empty pews by those wanting to hear the popular rhetorician--sophist.

Secondly, probably lots came out of curiosity. Lots of "members" who were never discipled would LOVE to get it over with on Saturday whatever the context as long as they could do their legalism.

Thirdly, it fits the universal patternism that Satan can turn himself into an angel of light and alwaays sucks in the majority seeking entertainment. However, Paul MARKED the Disciples as being "outside the camp"" if they wanted to Find Jesus, rest and be taught OF HIM and suffer the reproaches taking place in the mega temples.

No, I would be surprised if ALL of the visible church comes under the feathers of the Mother of Harlots (Rev 17) because speakers, singers and musicians perform SORCERY just like Lucifer as the "singing and harp playing prostitute" in the Garden of Eden. I am sure that was lots of gloating but they always rush to get tickets o the Titanics of the World.

Man Kenny. You were on a roll. You were making sense and keeping it "short" and then you got to that last paragraph and lost me man. I'm not sure that RHCC is going to be bring in "prostitutes" anytime soon. I realize you are talking about "prostituting" one's self religiosly, but you make a lot of "gays and prostitutes" comments and link them to instrumental music...not with ya on that. Anyways, I'm with ya man on the rest of it. One thing I found funny was Revelation (a book about visions and dreams and symbols) was brought into this whole thing as proof text. Then "harps" was the key that kept coming up. In a list of keyboards, guitars, drums and a "shaker", harps were not mentioned. Oh well, the reality is Tenn. is far from RHCC and so is Mexico. Preach the truth in the "volunteer" state and get off the computer. You might still be able to do some GOOD!

Yes, it is the sad fact they didn't learn you when you procured your PhDuh by extortion.
Peter warned about CORRUPTERS OF THE WORD. Now, that word means "Sell learning at retail" and many other things
including ADULTERY. So, anyone who sells the FREE WATER OF THE WORD and then WATERS it wiith NEW WINE
has ADULTERATED the Word of God and SLAPPED him in the face with their PURSE at the same time. You will
notice the PERSONA of those following in Gooose step and doing Goose Clapping have a charismatic
brassy head which appeals to both sexes. Sure, rhetorical speaking and singing have always been
a Testesterone Free Zone. All known history MARKS them.

Peter outlaws PRIVATE INTERPRETATION which means FURTHER EXPOUNDING as when you sermonize and just
use verse 3z as a Launch Pad for really stupid sounding philosophy: listened to one on zechariah 4 and the
man doesn't grasp that later Zechariah will MARK for destructioon by their parents those who PROIPHESY
in the singing and playing propets FROM THE HIGH PLACES after the SIGNS have validated the Apostles.

Lucifer is called 'the singing and harp playing prostitute" in the garden of eden and the Mother of Harlots
in Revelation 18 has a STABLE of sophists, singers and instrument players as SORCERIES. So from Alpha
to Omega we have MUSIC as marking people who TRAFFIC their body parts for MONEY or fame and
the are DEFACT PROSTITUTES. The singers in paganism were HAPPY to be part of the "harem of the gods"
so why get excited if the wineskinners ditto head the Vineyard lady and USE music and MUSICIANS to
bring on a SEXUAL-LIKE CLIMAX WITH THE SPIRIT? That is part of the PARADIGMISM which replaced the
old PATTERNISM. The LAST ACT of worship--which is also a big fat lie--is GIVING OF MEANS. I have
posted the Carol Wimber CREDO which spewed out of Fuller and into Seattle and now Texas.

Even Plato whom translators cannot OUT fully, noted that the praise singers task was to
make the spirit come--double entendre. When you begin to rise and clap and your body
begins to move you ARE being used as a SEXUAL OBJECT for their own fun and profit. I would
watch out for the male kind who get "aroused" or in Shelly's words exhilarated.

I am a member of RHCC and find that there is nothing unscriptural about instrumental worship or saturday evening services. I believe the Lord gives us freedom in worship, as long as we are praising him. To those who say that instruments have no place because they are not mentioned in the New Testament, I say, there is no mention of Sunday School, community outreach programs, or many other things we've brought into the church. What about our buildings we worship in today? They aren't like the ones in Jesus day, either, but does that mean we can't worship in them. Communion wasn't taken in the temple either. Breaking bread in the disciples day was totally different than the way we do it in our services. There are many things diferent today from then. Why are people on this forum only picking on instruments and making such a big issue out of it? The Bible doesn't say you CAN'T have intruments, so why are you looking for a scripture that says you CAN have them? I think this is sad how people pick a subject like instruments and make a big deal about it. The Lord was blessed when David played the harp in worship; why would he later have a concern with it? This is about people arguing over doctrine rather than scripture. The church has built these false doctrines and some love to be burdened down by them and keep others burdened down by them, when we are free in the Lord.

I am so happy to be a part of Richland Hills Church of Christ and have been blessed by attending the Saturday night service. I believe Rick is a very sincere and Godly man who is not trying to lead us down a wrong path. I believe he has prayed about this and the Elders are in agreement with him. I think it is very bold for them to step out and say they are allowing God to lead the church in a direction He wants to lead it. Reaching the lost is so important and it's more important than whether there are instruments in worship or not. I've never understood why the churches of christ had issue with that. It isn't scriptural.

I feel all who are currently members at RHCC and any who are reading this, need to at least listen to the lessons Rick gave and listen with an open, not closed, heart. And feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful body of believers who are concerned about the church body there as well as the lost. Richland Hills is also very much working in the community to help spread God's love. I feel truly blessed and would encourage you to pray about your concerns and ask God to reveal His will in your life. Don't just go by what you've been told all your life, because most of that is doctorine given to you by the church and not from God, necessarily. I will pray for you and all who are reading this that God speaks to your heart.

God promises in Isaiah 30 that those seduced by Lucifer (Zoe, Barbelo) will be BEATEN into the type of Hell with wind, string and percussion instruments.

===================

... to be reposted

God promises in Isaiah 30 that those seduced by Lucifer (Zoe, Barbelo) will be BEATEN into the type of Hell with wind, string and percussion instruments.

===================

... to be reposted

I wonder how many of these "anonymous" writers are actually Kenny or maybe just "trained" by Sublett. I always appreciate a person who has a lot to say, but no back bone to claim it.

Yes, I am Annie Mouse: my computer kept hitting the wrong button and traffic wasn't moving right over Hughes.net.

So blame me. I have a much longer diatribe about 2 Thessalonians with some stuff you have never heard and is not permitted in Grad School.

Sorry bout that, I would wish that the moderator would remove BOTH of thes test runs which got out of hand and I will repost it.
Hope?

And I could wish for better, moe moderated colors but, alas.

SOURCE: “Sound Teaching”—West Side Church of Christ, Fort Worth, TX

http://soundteaching.org/2006/12/16/in-the-news-north-richland-hills-church-of-christ-to-begin-using-instruments-in-worship/

In The News: North Richland Hills church of Christ to Begin Using Instruments in Worship

Published on 16 Dec 2006. Author: Stan Cox.

On Saturday, February 10, 2007, the Richland Hills church of Christ will begin holding a weekly Saturday evening worship service that will include the use of musical instruments in worship, and an observance of the Lord’s Supper. Jon Jones, (the former “pulpit minister” and one of the elders), said that the elders “fully and completely” endorsed the decision. At an adult Bible study, he said, “There is unity in our eldership, and we are so thankful for that.”

However, two of the 17 elders serving resigned when the decision was made. Though there seems to be some “politicking” going on, and the two remain members of the congregation, Roger Dean, one of the remaining 15 elders acknowledged that the decision had prompted the two elders to resign.

Rick Atchley is the current “pulpit minister”, and has long been an advocate of improved relations with the Christian church (a denomination that orginiated out of the Restoration movement, and uses musical instruments in worship).

Analysis:

It is not surprising that the Richland Hills church has reached this point. The liberalism present in that congregation has long been documented, and this further step is only a small increment of a full blown apostasy. It is interesting to note the language and reasoning of the leadership of the church, as well as the reaction of the congregation. Following are some of the statements made by the elders and preacher, recorded in the Christian Chronicle newspaper, with analysis from scripture:

“Frankly, we did not know what to expect,” [Roger] Dean said. “We felt like it was going to be pretty difficult, but it has not been. … People are truly supporting the leadership and the eldership.”

It should not surprise us that the members of the congregation are accepting of the change. The apostasy has been ongoing for many years. The congregation consists of individuals (including the leadership) that have a very sectarian view of the church, and a liberal attitude toward Bible authority. The Apostle Paul warned of such when he wrote Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

“We didn’t make this decision on a Tuesday and announce it on a Sunday,” Atchley said in the adult Bible study, citing much study, prayer and fasting by the elders. “This has been part of about a three-year journey that the leadership has been on.”

While it is commendable that the elders prayed and fasted, the decision to go ahead with this practice was done despite the fact that there is no scriptural authority for it. No amount of prayer or fasting will validate vain worship. Notice our Lord’s statement in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
No amount of Bible study will reveal any positive authority for either the use of musical instruments in Christian worship, or the observance of the Lord’s Supper in Christian assembly on a Saturday. To do either is to engage in will worship, and to displease God.

In the Dec. 3 Bible study, Atchley told Richland Hills members that “there has never been a moment’s discussion of changing the name of this church or our affiliation with Churches of Christ.”

But he said Richland Hills must put the kingdom of God and Christ’s mission above concerns that the change might hurt the congregation’s standing or influence among Churches of Christ.

At the same time, he suggested to members that Richland Hills’ decision might “inspire many other Churches of Christ to be courageous in their kingdom efforts, and it could help stem the tide of gifted young leaders who are leaving.”

The sectarian mindset of the Richland Hills leadership is seen in this quote. Notice he refers to “our affiliation with Churches of Christ.” The quote indicates that Atchley considers the church a denomination. In fact, a local congregation remains affiliated with the churches of Christ only so long as it remains faithful to the calling of our Lord. Men do not determine whether they will remain affiliated with “Churches of Christ”, the Lord determines whether a congregation will retain its candlestick. As the Lord warned the church of Christ at Ephesus, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5).

Further, the reasons stated for the change do not hold up to the standard of scripture. Atchley stated that the change is a “kingdom effort.” In other words, by such a compromise, the church could appeal to more in the world, and thus have a positive influence upon them. However, the gospel message has never been one of accomodation. Rather than conforming to worldly conventions, the gospel calls for the worldly to conform to the conventions of righteousness. Rather than saying, come to our church, we have the music you like, the Scripture says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth,” (John 4:24), and, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

The idea that this action might stem the tide of “gifted young leaders who are leaving” is likewise flawed. It is teaching that keeps the young, not compromise. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to admonish the young men to be “sober minded” , and in doctrine to show “integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that can not be condemned” (cf. Titus 2:6-8). There will always be churches more willing to push the envelope. Trying to stop the exodus by a Saturday night assembly, when the denomination down the street has Rock and Roll on Sunday morning is a useless strategy. Teach the young people to respect the will of God, and those who stay, at the least, will be able to worship God in spirit and in truth.

“My e-mail is flooded with messages from elders and preachers across the country encouraging this church and praising us for the decisions we’ve made,” Atchley told the church. “I know this: If our fellowship stays on the course we’re on, our future looks bleak. Someone has got to be a leader.”

This is perhaps the most insulting of the statements made by the leadership of this digressive congregation. The idea that the way Christians have worshipped God since the inception of the church will now lead to the demise of the Lord’s church is preposterous. The strength of God’s people is their distinctiveness. “Therefore, ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters’, Says the LORD Almighty.” We are told not to be conformed to the world, but rather transformed, (cf. Romans 12:1-2).

Atchley acknowledged that Richland Hills could lose some members to other churches as a result of allowing instrumental worship.

But he said, “We’ve already lost too many over a question that’s way too unimportant.”

In this quote the true attitude of the Richland Hills leadership is clearly stated. Following the Biblical pattern of worship (a capella music, and the first day of the week observance of the Lord’s Supper) is unimportant. The fight fought by faithful Christians in the late 1800’s was over a matter of no consequence. Of course, the texts mentioned before, (cf. Matthew 7:21-23; John 4:24), show otherwise. Remember this final admonition from the pen of the apostle John, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). It seems that it is important to God!