They sang "How Great Thou Art", inviting the crowd to join in, and between the four of us (my wife and I were the only ones to accept the invitation) we covered all the parts. After the song a well dressed, well educated, Miss Jane Hathaway look-alike interviewed then. They were from the Fourteen Mile Church of Christ in Lincoln County, West Virginia. As a boy preacher I spoke at the Ten Mile Church (as you have guessed, just four miles away) The lady was fascinated that they instinctively sung harmony so well. She asked then how they learned this. The singer explained how Churches of Christ have congregational singing, how you grow up learning the songs and the parts by heart. They sang "Bright Morning Stars are Rising", which I love because the base line is like a Bach continua. She saw their a Capella singing as a national treasure - like Grandma Moses Painting, and Amish quilt, or a Shaker Chair.
Unfortunately no one was there to explain to the lady that the Churches of Christ aren't just a bunch of Shaped-note-singing hicks from West Virginia, or Texas, or Oklahoma anymore. No one told her we're headed boldly into the 21st Century. We have web-sites. We're Quickly outgrowing the narrow opinion that restricted our sacred music to congregational, and a capella singing. The winds of renewal are blowing. No one was there to explain that to the lady with the tailored suit, and the ivy league intonations, so you and I wouldn't be embarrassed.
I am glad.
I am glad because the audience was left with a music that was completely other, that was ancient. I was glad that the lady was told how the early church sang that way. I was glad because the singers, and their songs were unique - the way salt and light are unique.
I was glad because there was no proof texts or slogans slung around, and no words of condemnation - only an unashamed explanation of who we are and why we are.
I was glad because the shaped-note-singing hicks from wherever, if their song is sung with the meekness of Christ, are likely closer to the first century than the 21st.