There's one question that I wanted to ask you for a while. It is regarding the ministry of sisters in the assembly. There has been a big debate about it in our assembly, (this is a confidential matter, but am sharing with you because of the burden I have). The young sisters in our assembly are very talented to sing and they want to lead the singing session on Sundays. And many of the brethren, (mainly the ones whose daughters are involved), in our assembly are favouring that and are saying that by the sisters leading the singing session, they are not exercising authority over man. They say that leading in the assembly is only with regard to teaching or praying in the presence of elderly men and that singing is ok and is not considered as leading. Many brethren oppose this idea as they feel that sisters’ singing alone is also leading. We have only 4-5 minutes to sing and we usually stand up and sing a song together. And its this time that they want to use and sing with instruments. As I have seen in the Sunday school singing session also most of the songs they sing is not from the hymn book but from popular CD's etc. I don’t have any problem with that as long as they are doctrinally correct. But the interesting thing is that most of the songs are created and marketed with the profit motive in mind and not from any real heart-experience. You know it much better than I do. Anyway, the opposing brethren are also of the opinion that if the sisters really want to exercise their talent let them do it during the youth meetings where they have enough time to sing and also on the Saturday meetings. But on the Saturday meetings very few believers come. So they do not want to sing on Saturdays. So basically I feel that they are planning of some kind of a performance during the Sundays. And many brethren including some elders (not all) are favouring this. So we have a very tricky situation. These elders favour this for special interests and not based on the word of God because their daughters are involved in this.

With what I have learnt so far, I felt that sisters shouldn’t lead in any capacity in the assembly. I haven’t seen such practises in any of our assemblies in Kerala. So I do not know whether I learned the subject with a predetermined view or with a prejudiced mind. I need more assistance and I am sure that you will be the best person to answer my doubts as you are aware of the culture and can answer from an impartial standpoint. So I look forward to hearing from you.

  Answer to the Above.

In answering the above I should point out that neither I nor any other person who does not reside in the area, and who are not members of the Assembly have any right to interfere in the affairs or the function of the Local Assembly. It is the Elders and them alone who have the say as to what is practiced in the Assembly, but they are required to "rule well" (1Timothy 5:17). That is they should encourage practices that are scriptural in nature, or that do not conflict with the principles laid down in the Holy Scriptures. Thus it would be normal for such men to be above the consideration of members of their family for places of special prominence, or honour in the Assembly or in the public meetings that it may hold. Perhaps it would be wise to point out here that the Elders to act according to the word of God, would consider first for the Lord’s glory, and thus would make use of the most godly and gifted people in any service that is to be rendered to, or for, the Lord. This would mean that they would select the most godly and gifted people in the Assembly to serve the Lord, not necessarily the members of their own family. But finally it is to the Lord, (to Whom the Church belongs), that they must answer. (Hebrews 13:17). (However it is not always so), and sometimes Elders make decisions that are motivated by wrong considerations.

Your email seems to uncover a wrong state, as those who wish "to exercise their gift", only wish to do so when a crowd is present to perform in front of. This seems to indicate a desire for fleshly prominence, which can only emanate from Satan, or from the flesh within us. Really they do not wish to exercise nay gift that the Lord may have given them for His glory alone, But rather for the demonstration of natural talent that they may have acquired by training. Or by listening to Tapes. C.Ds or such things. Godly Elders should discourage such a practice, because it is not the Lord that is glorified, nor is the gift that He has given, used for His glory. Really such people only wish to show off. In the presence of others, and this will never bring glory to His holy name. On one occasion I was present at a meeting in another country, and a girl led the singing. I thought that she was acting far beyond what the scriptures gave her (or any sister), licence to. She would tell the congregation, (which was composed of both men and women), to sit or to stand, (as she thought appropriate), to raise or to lower their hands, when she indicated. I can assure you that I sat by myself, and I remained seated, and did none of the things that she was telling the congregation to do. I felt that according to the word of God she had no right to be in the position that she was in. That was the very last time that I attended that Assembly.

Young people are not very experienced in discerning what is good and what is evil. Most CD’s tapes etc are covered by a copyright agreement, which forbids the performance of the matter on the Cd, or its being reproduced in any way. Even the use of Transparencies is subject to a charge being made every time that the hymn etc is sung. Profit is the motive behind all this, and the Glory of the Lord does not come into the reckoning of the person or company involved. Satan makes hymns etc produced by professionals to be very attractive to young and unspiritual people. The Assemblies need to be warned against such things.

Most true worship is collective, thus it is normal for hymns of worship to be sung in the plural, by the whole congregation. Though there may be some in the congregation who are much closer to the Lord, than the average, yet such will surely join with their less-spiritual brethren, in praising the Lord. When believers are gathered to remember the Lord, and it is to be realised that occupation with the dearest object of our affections, will surely stimulate a warm and living response from every genuine heart, leading them to join joyfully in the singing of the hymns. This is to be encouraged!

It will be realised by most, that even to want to monopolise that time to show off in the presence of others is surely not of God, it can only be described as the desire of the flesh. One could not envisage such conduct in heaven.

I have noticed, (and deplored) the tendency for young men to form themselves into teams, and those teams seem to want to perform on the stages at conventions etc. These teams seem to me, (a foreigner), to make a lot of noise, but they contribute little if anything to the spiritual atmosphere at such conventions. They do not lead the congregation in singing to the Lord; in fact they would rather that the congregation should be silent, so that they alone may be heard. Such teams seem to have no interest in gaining anything spiritual for themselves from the ministry that is given by those brothers that minister the word. After they have completed their act, the speakers are somewhat distracted as they (the team), carry on a loud conversation amongst themselves as they wait in the room provided for them, behind the pulpit. Though I am a mere foreigner, (and thus do not know much of Malayalam), and I am unable to understand what they are saying, yet it appears to me that they have no hunger for the Word, but only wish to show off. I think that most will agree that such conduct is unbecoming, and certainly is not of God.

Let me say here, that where a person has a deep heart-felt desire to worship God, then they will gladly blend their voices with those of their brothers and sisters in Christ, in giving glory, and honour to Him whom they love and desire to worship.

I should point out that modern compositions, (generally), do not compare with those hymns and songs of praise, that were written by men of God a hundred or so years ago. Such godly men had no desire to make money from what they wrote, but what they wrote was in most cases the result of deep, spiritual, heart-felt godly exercise. They seemed to have a depth of spirituality about then, which is rarely found today. Their hymns and songs, have the ability still to move the hearts of the saints in genuine worship to God. The Western Church has been robbed of much of recent years, by the introduction of shallow, sloppy compositions under the heading of Scripture In Song Choruses. It should be pointed out that the first of such chorus b kooks to come out, were (mostly), in fact what they claimed to be, that is verses of scripture put to music. But as the number of the books increased so the quality of the compositions deteriorated, and they became quite unscriptural, and leaned in the direction of the Pentecostal emphasis.

However lest I be misunderstood, let me say here that there is a method of singing by individuals, (both men and women), who are definitely gifted by the Lord, that is a service to Him, and is much used in His service. This singing is to be encouraged, and is to be used in the outreach meetings, in the presentation of Christ in His Gospel. This is done by those gifted of Him, as a service to the Lord, and it is His Glory alone that is sought, (not the glory of the singer), and the blessing and salvation of the lost. May God lead His people in the paths of righteousness!

The question remains as to what we should do when the Elders are divided in their judgement on this matter. First let me encourage my brethren to be patient. When we realise how patient God has been with us, it humbles us, and we can well afford to be patient with each other. But on the other hand let me admonish my brothers never to be hasty in introducing into the Assembly, that which will corrupt, and divide it. Let us constantly bear in our minds the warning of (!Corinthians 3;17) Let us ever remember that it is ourselves for whom we have to answer, not the practises or sins of others.

To the Elders I would say, always seek to jealously guard the Church wherein the Holy Spirit has placed you as an overseer. Do not allow the introduction of anything that is by nature worldly; remember that it was the very world that crucified our Saviour. Don’t be influenced in your judgement by your family. Remember that you are expected to have your children in submission; you are not told to be in submission to them.

Do not always expect that which is evil to appear to be so. May are deceived by the Devil’s cunning today. Remember that it is the wolf in sheep’s clothing, which wreaks havoc amongst God’s people! Satan often disguises himself as an angel of light, and disguises his ministers, as ministers of righteousness, don’t be deceived! May God bless you all abundantly! And may he preserve that which is for His Glory!