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Until a few years ago, I didn’t even know about a whole dimension of the worship wars.

I knew about the “contemporary” vs. traditional debate, of course, and the choruses vs. hymns, and the guitars vs. organs and baby grands, and the vintage and the emerging and the contemplative and the blended and the non-fat extra hot with soy. (Just seeing if you’re paying attention.)

But until I applied to colleges, and considered Lipscomb University, I did not know much about the non-instrumental churches. Until I began working for the NACC and learning more about the Restoration movement through that experience, I did not know much about our split with them 100 years ago. And until this year’s convention, with its emphasis on reunion, I did not know much about the efforts of both groups to begin working together in new ways.

So I was (and am) fairly ignorant of much of the history leading up to this event. However, that has not dimmed my appreciation for its significance. And I am excited about not just the reconciliation between instrumental and acappella churches, but the cease-fire (this week, at least) in the usual worship battles. Great hymns of the faith, favorite choruses, full band, no band, guitars, pianos, responsive readings, edgy videos, gospel, choirs, solos—you name it, we’ve experienced it in a high-quality way.

I’m tired of bickering about how we’re going to worship Jesus and I’m glad to just have the chance to do more of it, with leaders who thoughtfully plan and who value excellence regardless of method or instrumentation.

My feet are sporting three blisters, I have a headache from going to bed late and getting up early, and I am thoroughly sick of the restaurants in the Marriott, but I am thrilled to still have another day and a half of the convention left.