ironies of life

A Christian Friend of mine, Danny, died yesterday. He and I worshiped together at a Tulsa Church many years ago.  I even designed the remodel of his company offices.  We found ourselves sides of an issue once that has stuck with me for years.

Jay, the associate minister, and I had a Sunday school class in the Fellowship hall. This was a large church and the class we took over had about 75 attendees.  Four weeks later the attendance was up to almost 400.  More than half the group were from the community.  Our class featured movie and TV clips, drama and live presentations of music.  The songs performed were pop songs of Don Henley,  Phil Collins, etc. and we used the talented members of our church. They used taped back-up and also piano and guitar.

Danny, who did NOT attend the class, did not approve of instruments being used in church.  He went to the leadership and accused us of trying to force the church to instrumental music (something against Church of Christ nature).  His fight ended with Jay's firing as a minister and our leaving that church family.  Later Danny also left.

Danny's funeral will be at First Baptist Church in Tulsa where he was a member.

You may have to let that sink in.