Missional Presbyterianism Makes its Mark in Northeast Florida

Amidst a week of controversy for Presbyterian Christians in the United States, the elders of Town Center Church in Keystone Heights, Florida, released a pastoral letter outlining their new policy regarding the admission of those who listen to the music of Creed to church membership.

 

"In the past we have not allowed Creed fans to join our church because we were convinced that there was a discernible link between bad taste in music and bad morals," explained ruling elder Dawson Leery.  "However, after attending the Contemporary Christian Music Summit in Belle Glade last month, we realized that our policy was too exclusionary and perhaps even oppressive toward many citizens of our great town." Eric Camden, Senior Minister at Town Center Church, further explained that the elders had come to a new understanding regarding musical tastes: "While the Old Testament has a lot to say about music, the New Testament says very little and Jesus says absolutely nothing." He went on to speculate, "Who knows what kind of music the apostles would have liked? I'd like to think that Peter might have been a Deadhead and that John would have listened to Yanni, my own personal favorite."

 

Town Center Church's youth pastor, Spencer Hastings, confessed to being a life-long fan of Creed: "As far back as I can remember, mom and Phil played Creed around the house. And I loved it! The fact that I can now openly hum Creed songs in the church's hallways and sing their Christian-themed hits at Tran-Send [Editor's note: "Tran-Send" is Town Center Church's mid-week youth ministry gathering] is absolutely liberating!"

 

The new policy did arouse some controversy as a few parishioners mistakenly thought that the Saturday night worship service would now include the public recitation of historic ecclesiastical creeds. However, the elders quickly responded to this misunderstanding by assuring its members via Facebook that the praise band would maintain full control of worship in both Saturday and Sunday services.

 

"Times they are a-changin'," quipped Town Center Church matriarch, Marion Cunningham, "but if this is what it takes to bring more young people into our church, then I'm willing to plug my ears and extend my arms in welcome."