About These Brotherhood Singings
A common practice that is akin to the much discussed issue of centralization is the "regular monthly singing" of a given county or city. This writer is not advocating that services in which brethren from far and wide mingle their voices in praise be abandoned, but the way they are being conducted in many places should cause deep concern.
The Common Designation
Someone has well said that one cannot express in scriptural terms an unscriptural practice. The concept that many have of a singing is unscriptural, and is indicated by such terminology as, "The County Singing." The singing is not expressed as the activity of a local congregation to which others are invited, such as a gospel meeting, but is the service of a body larger than the local congregation of which different churches alternate as "sponsor." Think about it. All too often they are not billed as a worship service of a local congregation, but as "The _______County Churches of Christ Singing."
Arranging The Schedule
The method employed to determine where these "regular monthly singings" will be conducted is also subject to some serious thought. Most often a singing is scheduled for a congregation when a representative (usually the songleader or preacher) requests it. It is needless to say that the invitation is generally extended on the spur of the moment without a previous meeting of the elders or brethren. The matter simply comes up near the end of a service as a brother asks, "Who wants the regular _______ county singing next month?" After a few moments a voice replies, "We'll take it." And so it is decided by the representatives gathered that the " ________County Singing" will go to such and such a place next month. And I will not venture here to say just where it should go. But suffice it to say that this system of representation and rendering decisions is more like a Baptist conference with its representatives from each congregation than New Testament Christianity with each church autonomously making its own decisions.
In some areas boards have actually been appointed, or self elected, to arrange a schedule. What is the difference in a board arranging a schedule for singings and gospel meetings? If they have the authority for the former, do they not have it for the latter? If a congregation can scripturally agree to the former, can it not to the latter? Why not have a board to schedule the dates for the meetings of each congregation, and then a special board to arrange for state meetings to be held at some congregation that either requests, desires, or whose "turn" it is? This is an enlargement on the principle of the regular "_________ County Singings." And as for the
"expedient" argument, and the explanation that the arrangement is entered upon voluntarily, cannot Baptists and many other sectarians say the same for their conferences? They argue "expedient" too. They also are voluntary. And the truth of the matter is that the appointing of such a board to see to such matters is a step further than these conferences of denominations, for the conference has representation from each congregation involved, but these boards do not. Brethren, it's something over which to be concerned. This just may be another kitty that will grow up to be a tiger.
What Is It?
Some need to be reminded of what a singing is. I'm not speaking just of the brotherhood singings, but of the commendable practice of many churches that gather on Sunday evenings or a night during the week to sing. It is a period of worship. This is what it should be. If a quartet or special singing group is out of order at the eleven o'clock worship service, it is also out of order at a singing. On the other hand, if such is proper and right at a singing, it is equally fitting, proper, and in order at eleven o'clock. The former is no less worship than the latter. But the practice has now become so widespread that I sincerely wonder just how many (and how soon) churches will have a choir; perhaps as soon as one of their number thinks of it.
A Conscientious Consideration
No, I am not opposed to singings. And as stated in the introduction, I do not propose abandoning them. Let us simply make sure that such are conducted according to what they are, viz., worship services, and that they be the function of a local congregation. Each congregation decides when it wants to conduct a gospel meeting, announces it, and sister congregations support it with their presence. Singings can be conducted the same way. If not, why not? No one enjoys singing more than I, but let's do it right. and subject these traditional practices to a conscientious consideration in the light of divine truth. This article is submitted with the confidence that there are thousands of brethren who are not sensitive to having their practice questioned, nor feel themselves above giving an answer for their convictions, and who are willing to "prove all things, hold fast that which is good."