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I have seen a lot of videos on facebook and youtube of very small children praising the Lord in what seemed to be deep heartfelt worship. At a glance it was cuteness, but as I looked on I seen things that seemed possibly a sign of insincerity and showmanship. In one video in particular, there was a break in the child's worship to look at the camera. It struck me that this was more for attention.

We should teach our children to worship, but we should emphasize sincerity before God. I have even seen specially made pulpits for young children in order for them to play preacher before the assembly, usually pk's. It is cute as all get out, but I don't like what I feel by it. We are all called for the ministry that God has chosen for us and we aren't picked because of our parents. I fear that for many the church has lost it focus and objective. IMO. NO offense meant.

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Good post.
I have seen many children who were put up in public because they had a "gift" of speaking or singing.
I cannot think of one of them that is still in the church.
Most fall into abject sin.
There should be a calling and a respect for the things of God.
Now, with that said, Bro Raul Alvear was called to preach and started pastoring a church at a very early age, 11-13 I believe.
The difference is that he was called by God, whereas others had a natural talent.

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Children are natural imitators of what they see their parents and other people doing. As a child, we grew up "playing church" where we would set up chairs and play church. Nothing wrong with children imitating and playing church, much like playing dress up for cowboys and Indians.

However, taking videos of kids play and posting to facebook as if they have a gift or calling, is dangerous because instead of letting children act out naturally, it implies a gift or calling from the Lord. Not to say that some of them aren't gifted or called, but just because a child is acting out praise and worship, does not mean that they are sincere.

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I think it's exploitation.

Using one's child to self-aggrandize and hope for some "viral video" of their kid isn't right. Who else filmed then uploaded the video if not the parent or someone very close to the parent?

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So what do you propose? Anytime a child acts like they are playing church we should scold them for it because they aren't sincere and are putting on a show?

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The first paragraph was spot on. The 2nd I'm not so sure about. You are attaching a lot of extra baggage onto posting a "cute" video to social media.

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God forbid the parent upload an entertaining video of their child for their family to see? Can I get an AMEN?

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Some of our children began early in the work of the Lord but we never made videos and stuff like that...I cringe when I see that kind of stuff....and I mean no harm or hurt to those who like things like that....I am just a little more serious than some...sorry....

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I, too mean no offence, but what will happen to such children when they grow up?

They are showcased with genuine praise and worship all around them, while they are mimicking preaching and worship. Will their minds realize as they get older that faking genuine worship is okay, and live hypocritical lives, or abandon the whole church thing altogether?

I know of a man whole while he was in his late teens could preach like a firestorm. He dabbled in drugs and drinking, and continued to preach. When he saw how the church would STILL explode in worship during his preaching, he noted to himself he had not been praying, and he had been sinning. He relegated it all to hype and manipulation. He even told another preacher he does not have to pray to see those results in church during his preaching. (red flag). And he was honest enough to step down. He thought that is all that happens in churches that worship and shout. If he could make them do that in sin, then it had to be all fake, and nothing really from God. He backslid terribly and now goes to a liturgical mainline denominational church.

I am concerned this will happen with these kids.

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The problem is many have confused emotion for anointing. Emotion and feeling is fine, but feelings come and go. Obedience is the true sign of a move of God, at least of the kind of move people need. If we emphasized THAT - genuine results that last a lifetime - the sensationalistic silliness would not have as near as powerful of a draw as it currently does.

jmo

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Of course not!!! But we shouldn't make it more than what it is. If a child is playing church, then let them, as long as it isn't in a disrespectful way. We should over the coarse of time teach our children the necessity of sincerity and authenticity in our walk with God. If a person is truly worshiping God then you should cut the camera's off and join them. If I am worshiping the Lord in church the last thing I want is a camera pointed at me. Shouldn't some moments be sacred between the individual and God?

The days of social media has gotten crazy. People can't even set down and eat a bite of supper with out taking a picture of their meal. lol.

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Absolutly right!!! I am all for exuberant worship and having a liberty, but I am far more convinced when I see some one who has fruit in their life. It is like Jesus said that one thing you should have done, but not to leave the other thing undone. Let's praise God with all our heart and live for him with all of our heart as well.

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Pastor at 11 or 13?

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yes, Raul Jr was called....we tried to discourage him! We wanted to make sure...of course it was hard for us to understand...however both my husband and I began working for the Lord at a very young age but we were never put in some show case....

The work of the Lord is serious...and we need to teach our children how serious it really is...Eli for some reason failed his own sons while training one of Israel's greatest prophets...

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I can understand (to a point) filming a service for historical purposes as a record, and also to broadcast in order to be a blessing to others. I think though anyone being filmed and put online or over the airwaves ought to be given the opportunity to actually agree to such a thing. Some people do NOT want to have video of them plastered all over the internet. Some videos I've seen of church services have made me wonder that some of the folks on camera didn't sue whoever put them online, lol. I certainly wouldn't want video of me picking my nose in a service (for example) to be available 24/7 to anyone in the world. :heeheehee

But I also get annoyed somewhat when I see a video of a service where people are worshipping or what have you and SEVERAL others are standing around 'filming' everything with their dumbphones. I suppose they'll be whipping out their phones on judgment day, too? Some come for the entertainment factor, I guess?

Do Not Pass Me By has become Stay Over There Awhile So I Can Get a Good Video Shot?

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Yes.
And you should hear his testimony.
Along with the testimony from the Alvears.
He was definitely called.

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yes ..he said he wanted to pastor....that God called him...at that time we had bought an old building (very small) in the city of Campinas. We actually lived in another city but close by....we told him well you can have the building for your services...we thought in a few weeks it would be over....three elderly people I believe it was started coming and he rode a city bus to and from the little building...it was not long until he had 8 people coming...and then a couple more...he is still in that location today and of course the little building he had tore down and today he has a huge church with many many daughter works...

God calls but it is no joking matter....at least to me....

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I too came very young to the mission field....barely 18...by the time I was 21 I had 3 churches and several housemeetings! When I was 22 Brother Alvear and I married...the rest is history....

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My husband was called to preach also at a young age....he pastored several churches when he was single!

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I am amazed at how people can rationalize anything.

I do not believe in Women's preachers or children preachers, however that does not stop people from rationalizing their actions.

Of course God can use even the efforts and labors of those who are in disobedience to his word.

King Saul was wrong, yet God kept him in the throne for many years.

A person can hear the gospel and be saved by hearing a woman preacher, but it is because God can use anything even our mistakes to bring salvation to the ends of the world.

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One of the requirements for the work of the Lord is that the person not be a novice, this means a young person.

Of course God can use a person at any age, but if that is so, then why did God ordered that no priest could enter into the ministry until the age of 30 and why did Jesus did not start his ministry at the age of 12, after all he astounded the learned scholars in the temple. Why did Jesus not chose a teen as one of his apostles?

Nope, God is not into sending young people into the ministry.

can you imagen a 12 year old preacher counseling a married couple in the church?

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God called me to be a missionary when I was 8 years old....I once asked Sister Rita Dawson when I was 17 and fixing to go to the mission field if she thought I was too young...she said, Sister Janice God knew your age when He called...

Well...whatever people say or think does not change the fact God called Raul Jr and of course Brother Alvear did not ordain him at that age....we just let him have an old building thinking it would soon blow over...but it did not....Those first little saints have long gone to their reward however today he has hundreds of people...and by the way he is in his 40's.....

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Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 1:4-8

Jeremiah was only around 17 years old when God called him to minister to the people of Judah. When God tells Jeremiah that he was literally born to be a prophet, Jeremiah objects, “I’m just a kid.”

While the fact that God had set him apart for ministry before he was born should have been encouragement enough, God encourages Jeremiah by promising that He will give Jeremiah the words to speak and protect him from harm.

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Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision… And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” – 1 Samuel 3:3, 10

Samuel would have been around 12 or 13 when God called him to ministry. The bible says that the “word of the LORD was rare in those days.” God didn’t speak frequently to His people–so infrequently, in fact, that despite being called to help in the temple, God had to call out to Samuel three times before he recognized His voice.

God would use Samuel as a prophet and as a mighty leader for His people, and he would go on to seek and appoint a new young leader for the Israelites: King David.

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King David

Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. – 1 Samuel 16:11-13
(copied)

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I have no doubt that God called me to the mission field....I am 66 years old and came here when I had just turned 18.... It has been a lifetime on the mission field....and I have never lost the wonder that He called me to be a missionary....

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Being called, being anointed as the future king, being called as a prophet, are not the same things as being ordained as an overseer of a local assembly.

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I have spoken to Jehovah witness and they have no doubt that they have the truth and God has called them.

I would like to see some scriptures that authorize women to be called as preachers, but unfortunately no one has ever shown me a scripture that settles the matter.

If someone can conclusively show a scriptural basis for women and children in the New Testament ministry, I am quite willing to accept it, but until then I can not go beyond what the word of God speaks. Maybe they can be preachers, and I am wrong, but I would like to see some positive biblical statement that women are allowed as pastors of a church.

Can God use the work of people who are not in his complete perfect will? of course he can, he used plenty of people who were outside of the Jewish covenant.

God used Pharaoh king of Egypt, God used Cyrus a pagan king and he used many other people outsiders, the scriptures show plenty of examples, but the fact that God used those people does not mean that those people were included in his covenant.

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I am not one to argue believe whatever you want to believe however I know He called me...and if I do not obey I will be lost....

God bless you and please pray for me and my family.

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8 year old missionaries? 11 year old pastors?

Good God from Zion!!!!

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Sister, I'm more focused on praying for your health. I wish for you to be healthy and well. :)

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Amen :thumbsup

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Very good

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When the clear teachings of the Apostle Paul stand in the way grab something from the OT? :heeheehee

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Thanks for prayers for my health....I know it is only the mercy of the Lord...two doctors told me at my age it is a miracle I am alive. As most know I do heave a heart problem and this attacked very strong my heart...I know it is the prayers of the saints that has touched God.

I am nothing...and even though I do believe in women preachers I have never claimed to be one...and by all means never ordained...lol...I am only a missionary ....whatever that may mean....

Right now I work in the office sending out hundreds of Bible studies both to our people and people of other churches that request Bible studies...

Next Saturday Pastor Michael asked me to take over the street children for a few months until he can get someone to take over that responsibility as those that were taking care of it are moving away.

I love working with children...just keep me in your prayers. It can be VERY dangerous but only if you ask questions or happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time....

They all call me grandmother and watch out for me....I will get a few to help me and we will take food to them, make soup for them and hot meals when we have the funds. I have been collecting clothes for them. Saturday have 3 sacks of clothes and 3 sacks of food to give out besides the sandwiches we will make for them... If you are on my facebook you notice I am sure that I always ask for help for them...

Estimates of street children in numbers in Brazil have ranged from 7 to
17 million...And that is besides those that live in shantytowns....hunger is on every hand.

However this is my life....and I love doing what I do....Thanks once again for your prayers.

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Will continue to keep you in our prayers in Jesus name.

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a nurse told me the other day we have over 11,000 cases of CHICAGUNHA in our state....

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Even the ones that I recall out of bible college that where tabbed as "likely to succeed" for the most part aren't anywhere near apostolic churches anymore.

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Sad, how we make judgements and call individuals by our own standards who were never called by God's.

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Just heard that one of the UPCI youth camps had a 12 year old "preacher".
Sigh...