Light Shows In Churches
 

What are your thoughts on turning the lights down, and putting on disco lights and strobe's in the sanctuary during worship?

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

There is a well-known UPC church in my region who turns down the lights in the auditorium, puts spotlights on the "praise singers" against a dark purple or black drapery type background.

I hadn't been in a UPC church in years and I was kind of surprised when I walked into this.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

...but of course! It's ok when they imitate the world....just don't you do it without their blessings. :dogkiss

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

You get the power and real preaching back in your church you won't need that mess.Yes, I know Jesus met people where they were, but Jesus didn't climb the tree to reach Zacchaeus . If we keep adding this junk folks won't know what they are getting saved from and Who we are pointing them to! I sometimes think the Spirit has to be grieved over such stuff.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Emotionalism, hype, and pure entertainment will try to imitate a moving of God's presence, but the movement only lasts about as long as it takes to get to the back door.

You will never be able to "hype" up the true presence, and moving of the Lord that changes hearts, lives and souls, and leaves a lasting impression.

That presence or "shekinah glory" of Jesus will only make itself truly known when heartfelt worship of the Almighty God takes place.

For God does not share His glory with another, especially human beings craving attention with spot lights, and strobe lights, and things done to hype up the emotion in the service.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

It depends on what the people under the lights are doing. Are they making the praises of YHWH beautiful and glorious? Are they leading others to do the same? Is their music and worship teaching to love God and keep his commandments? I would far rather have the light show and a good Charismatic worship than to have people running aisles and pews. I knew one Bro who broke his leg shouting. Another time I saw a guy running aisles and someone opened the door and he ran into them. Now if the singers are just hypocrites wanting the praise of men Im fully against it.

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:toofunny

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

What are YOUR thoughts? Sorry, stupid question, I haven't been around here in quite a while, but I've just read through a few threads and saw several of your posts, so I'm pretty sure I know what your answer will be.

My answer is; give me scripture for it being wrong, and I'll be against it. But I'm gonna need actual scripture, not some construct of what you've been taught, or some "worldliness" analogy.

If you can show me that having service with two congregational songs, an offering, a special song and choir song, followed by 45 minutes to a hour and a half of preaching, is the biblical way to have church, then I'm all for that.

Otherwise, I don't have a problem with "light shows".

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

I'm sure you are including in your examples of emotionalism a preacher screaming for people to worship, dance, run the aisle, etc., in your reference to hyping up the emotion? Also, the organ player and piano doing runs and trying to incite "praise breaks". Just to keep it real.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Cool.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Emotion is very much needed in the Church.

I don't know why you would think it's not?

There is a line between true worship and charismatic trash, which I think you're nudging towards.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Charismatic Trash? I have found Charismatic worship far more glorifying to God (at least the kind Im thinking of) than anything I have seen among Pentecostals.

See post 11.

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I agree. He is probably thinking of the banners, battons, and ballet.


Joseph, don't mind dizzy. Rumor has it that her church youth group has a rock band. But, if you knew the community you'd understand. You may not agree, but you'd understand.

The old hymn book won't, it will not touch everybody.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

I have no idea what you're thinking of.

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-shrugs-

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

wise choice

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Bro Joe,

Take this worship session for example. Most every word is just scripture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwHyp...eature=related

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

One more should be sufficient to give you an idea what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRiT9...eature=related

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Well, that wasn't what I was referring to. Good singers, that's about all I can say about that particular clip.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

:highfive

What is revival if not simply loving Jesus more?

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

For me, the moving lights and fog machines are for entertainment purposes. In my study of the Scriptures, there is a fine line between doing things that enhance worship (make worship more easily attained) and make worship entertaining. I don't find anywhere that the worship experience is to be entertaining.

The lights in themselves aren't wrong... just like a TV itself isn't wrong... or a computer isn't wrong.... it's how they are used.

Let's say you have a large church, with a large choir. And the church slowly turns up the lights for the choir when they are singing to bring focus to that area on the platform and so they can be picked up by the cameras for those watching via streaming, etc. That's enhancing so that physical obstacles to worship are removed. When the preaching is going on, they turn the lights down on the choir so you don't see Sister Edna rummaging through her purse during preaching. Again, enhancing. Reducing obstacles the flesh may present to worship.

The lights dancing around to the music, fog machines, flashing, and strobes... IN MY OPINION are to make the experience more entertaining, therefore making it more pleasing to the flesh.

Honestly... the tools aren't the issue... it's the wise use of them that can present issues.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

I would rather have unbelievers attending light strobbed churches where at least the gospel of Christ is being preached than them being in the club.

Something is better than nothing...

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

...there ya go!

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Oh please... that doesn't even factor into the discussion. No sinner goes to church because they prefer the flashing lights there over the flashing lights at the club. The flashing lights, fog machines, etc are to entertain the church people.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

I hope one of these days God messes your world up. He did it to me and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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I actually agree with Robbins. Scary.

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:thumbsup

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If the power of God was in the building thingie called a church, there would be no need for gimmicks to increase attendance.

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Right... but I don't even think the issue is attendance.

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Having been a former DJ and amateur magician, I can appreciate a good light/laser show IF done well (most aren't). I don't think they have any place in church though -and for the record, I don't consider a spot light on someone to be a "light show". If someone is putting on a play or other dramatic production, then I don't have any issues with whatever special effects they can come up with, but I just have a thing against hyped up emotions and people mistaking it for a "move of God".

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

My baptist preaching pappaw always said, if it takes a hamburger to get them in the building, then it will take a hotdog to keep them there.

Keep in mind, the church worship service is for the church... not the sinner. The worship service is for our (the saints) communion time with God, be empowered, so that we go OUT AND WIN THE LOST... and then bring them in for discipleship. And frankly, if the CHURCH needs more entertainment to keep them in a worship service, or make it more "pleasing" to be there... then frankly we need to evaluate our motives and goals for worship.

To me, when items are placed within the worship service to make it more "entertaining" and pleasing to partake in, everyone says it's about the lost.... Folks, having church aint about the lost, it's about us (the church), and our Love for Jesus ought to be enough to get us to the house of God and keep us in the House of God... No problem with taking down obstacles that can destract the Child of God in worship, but I have issues with trying to make the Worship Service more entertaining for the Child of God or the sinner....

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Light shows in churches? Of course it's wrong. Nowhere in the Book of Acts nor in the epistles nor the Gospels do we read about Jesus or the Apostles using light shows. How can we deviate from the "old paths"?

Next thing you know we'll have electric lights, thermostatically controlled temperatures, electronically amplified sound, and printed Bibles if we continue down this slippery slope away from the simple ways of the first century church.

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Well, at least when your a smart ellic, you do it tactfully....:thumbsup

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I am sure there are many folks from 100 years ago that if they were to suddenly appear today would be shocked at the electronic instruments, dim-able lights, and padded pews. Many would no doubt consider it all sinful.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

My intent was not to say that flashing lights attract more sinners. I was trying to point out that: at least, where they are is better than being in the club.
Something (maybe a preaching, a testimony, a song, or whatever...) might hit them and cause them to confess the Lord Jesus.

Basically, what I was trying to say is that there is a higher probability of hearing the gospel that leads to salvation in a "light strobbing church" than in a "light strobbing club", wouldn't you agree?


So if one does not personally like it, that's fine. Do as you feel led, but being critical of people who are trying in the way they know how to bring the lost to Christ is not christianlike, IMO.

Mark 9
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

:nahnah


Super Post!

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

Re: Light Shows In Churches
 

let's get real about our message and our salvation:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHWt3YUw91M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZVhz...eature=related