How should churches care for God's people? Two churches sponsored the special evening church service. My husband, Monte, was pastor of one of these churches. The other church planned the service. Monte wanted me to attend, fearing, rightly, that few of our church members would attend. I expected a different service than was presented. The service was held in the church basement, in a large room designed for a gymnasium and used for church dinners and events. The service opened with a hymn of four brief lines projected onto a screen up front. These verses were repeated over and over, until even I related to Monte’s objection go fundamentalist Christian music: too repetitive. The hymn singing was accompanied by drums and two electric guitars, which produced music that reverberated from the ceiling and surrounded the room. There was an advantage---it allowed even my non-musical voice to sing out without offending anyone. In fact, the music was so loud I lost the hearing of my thoughts. My ears began to ring, and my head hurt. As it continued on and on and on, any sense of worship was drowned out in boredom and pain. I leaned over to Monte, asking him if he’d be upset if I left. He said no, that if the music was hurting I should leave. I remained through a few more choruses before inching my way out, trying to be unobtrusive and polite. As I passed the pastor of the other church, I told him my ears were hurting so I had to leave. Walking home, my ears calming slowly from the assault, I considered the experience. Although loud, joyful music can enhance a church service, church should be a place of protection, contemplation and safety. When music is ear-piercing and ear-drum damaging, a line has been crossed. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, created in God’s image. Church should not knowingly damage them. These services were geared toward families with children. Children’s ears are even more sensitive than adult’s ears. Not only that, the style presented in a church setting suggests to impressionable children that it is OK to experience that environment, enabling even more future exposure to the high volume. So I ask: Is what I experienced a positive Christian experience? Is there not some middle ground between funereal music and this? How should we care for our children? And how should we care for our own bodies? Have you ever experienced church service or events that act against the Scriptural imperative to care for our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit? If so, E-mail your experience to Carolyn at beaneryblog@yahoo.com with the phrase “church experience” in the title line. I'll post your response! | 
