"By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:35
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© 2007 Northcrest Church of Christ
| 918 Tehuacana Rd. P.O. Box 283. Mexia, Texas 76667 (254)562-3533 (254)562- 7953 |
FAQs: Why Do You Worship A Cappella (without instruments)?
One of the most widely recognized marks of the Churches of Christ is our use of Acappella singing in our
worship assemblies; in other words, worship without the accompaniment of musical instruments. We follow
this practice at Northcrest as well, for many reasons. The phrase "A Cappella" is simply Latin or Italitan for
"according to the Chapel," a reference to the church chapel where this music was often practiced. It is true
that the Church never used instruments in worship for at least the first 800 years of existence, and many
groups since then have remained acappella. Therefore, while some think it odd that we do not utilize them,
we believe that the more basic and universal church practice has been acappella rather than instrumental. We
believe that Acappella music is beautiful, and in fact there is no sound more beautiful than many voices
blended together in harmony to God. Using instruments has not only served to cause doctrinal divsion,
disagreement, and tension, but it has also been a source of complication, while we rather desire simplification
in worship. To have members tied up with having to concentrate on their instruments, serves only to distract
them from the worship at hand, and we want all of our members to be engaged in pouring our hearts out to
God in one voice. While the sound of instruments is often pleasing to the ears of many, we wish for our
worship to be pleasing to God's ears, which requires all of our hearts.
worship assemblies; in other words, worship without the accompaniment of musical instruments. We follow
this practice at Northcrest as well, for many reasons. The phrase "A Cappella" is simply Latin or Italitan for
"according to the Chapel," a reference to the church chapel where this music was often practiced. It is true
that the Church never used instruments in worship for at least the first 800 years of existence, and many
groups since then have remained acappella. Therefore, while some think it odd that we do not utilize them,
we believe that the more basic and universal church practice has been acappella rather than instrumental. We
believe that Acappella music is beautiful, and in fact there is no sound more beautiful than many voices
blended together in harmony to God. Using instruments has not only served to cause doctrinal divsion,
disagreement, and tension, but it has also been a source of complication, while we rather desire simplification
in worship. To have members tied up with having to concentrate on their instruments, serves only to distract
them from the worship at hand, and we want all of our members to be engaged in pouring our hearts out to
God in one voice. While the sound of instruments is often pleasing to the ears of many, we wish for our
worship to be pleasing to God's ears, which requires all of our hearts.