PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS - Elmer Towns

CHAPTER ONE
NEW WORSHIP STYLES
Historically, when Protestant church members have moved their home from one location
to the next, they usually chose a new local church on the basis of doctrine, not on the basis of
worship style. While the style of worship was important to them; doctrine was the final criteria.
The priorities were (1) doctrine, (2) the name of the church and (3) denominational alliance. 1
Historically, most denominations had the same style of worship that went with people's
denominational or doctrinal loyalty. Presbyterians tended to choose a Presbyterian church when
they moved, and if one was not available they would choose a church with Reformed theology.
But even stretched to the limits, Presbyterians would probably not have chosen a church with
pentecostal or Arminian beliefs. One would have expected them to choose a church that at least
held a similar view of eternal security.
Denominational alignment meant people were comfortable with a church's heritage,
lifestyle or policies. This included the worship style that usually reflected in their individual
churches. In the past, most denominations were not influenced by interdenominational television
services and by ministers trained in interdenominational seminaries. Because
HOW PEOPLE HISTORICALLY
HAVE CHOSEN A CHURCH
1. Doctrine
2. Name
3. Denomination
denominations were relatively homogeneous, people could transfer from one church to
another and fit in rather comfortably because there was little difference from one congregation to
another. Their worship expectations were usually fulfilled.
Americans generally have not been quick to choose a church with a nonstandardized
name. People have chosen churches with names that tended to be as acceptable as "mainline"
names--Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal or Lutheran. Everyone knew what these
names reflected. Historically, nonacceptable names to people from main-line churches were
generally Holiness, Temple, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Mennonite or a Bible church. To mainliners