Disturbing Trends or Christian Maturity?

Originally Posted by CC1

Sissy,

Thanks for your post. Do you think perhaps sometimes in Pentecost people get too preoccupied with getting a "reaction" or "response" from the congregation rather than results?

My fear is that worship becomes almost competitive. Demonstrative worship becomes a measuring stick by which ones spirituality is judged.

It is possible to have a deep relationship with God without dancing, shouting, leaping, etc. It bothers me that those things many times are the yardstick with though.

Your welcome. I wouldn't recommend pulling people out of their seats and demanding them to shout/dance or speak in tongues. However, I do belief as a worship leader, it is my responsibility to be sensitive to God's Spirit and create an atmosphere for people to worship any way they want. I agree with you, demonstrative worship should not determine someone's spirituality at all. Demonstrative worship should not be competitive as well. But I do believe one should show a little emotion if they can at all. Afterall, when people got healed, touched by Jesus, or the felt the presence of the Lord (David) they didn't just say "thank you" and quietly walk away. There was dancing, leaping, crying...

I hope this makes sense.

[Sherri]

I was in a large AG church in Hawaii a couple summers ago and the guy was all fired up preaching and then he yelled, "Can I get a runner?" This guy hops up and runs around the building. He yelled again, "Can I get another one?" People went nuts and started running all over the building. It was really funny watching it from the balcony as visitors.

Originally Posted by Sherri

I was in a large AG church in Hawaii a couple summers ago and the guy was all fired up preaching and then he yelled, "Can I get a runner?" This guy hops up and runs around the building. He yelled again, "Can I get another one?" People went nuts and started running all over the building. It was really funny watching it from the balcony as visitors.

I'm an emotional person so I don't have any problems with shouting, dancing, leaping (never ran) but I have marched in the aisles. Sometimes I go to church tired, weary, worn out and maybe not feeling my best but there's something about worshiping and getting a little emotional and before you know it I have energy and feel quite chipper by the time church is over! I'm afraid sometimes we become just a little lazy.


3 weeks ago an older man came to the front of the church for prayer and my husband and the other ministers anointed him with oil and prayed for him. He was having problems with his eyesight- to the point that the doctors didn't want him to drive anymore. So when they finished praying for him - he told my husband he said "I'm going to walk around this sanctuary 7 times just like they walked around Jericho." When he started walking, numerous of people followed him with the faith that God would touch his eyes. When he was finished he said he wasn't completely healed but his eyes were somewhat better! Sometimes it may look foolish but who would have thought spittle and dirt would heal eyes too? It is always best to obey.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sissy

Your welcome. I wouldn't recommend pulling people out of their seats and demanding them to shout/dance or speak in tongues. However, I do belief as a worship leader, it is my responsibility to be sensitive to God's Spirit and create an atmosphere for people to worship any way they want. I agree with you, demonstrative worship should not determine someone's spirituality at all. Demonstrative worship should not be competitive as well. But I do believe one should show a little emotion if they can at all. Afterall, when people got healed, touched by Jesus, or the felt the presence of the Lord (David) they didn't just say "thank you" and quietly walk away. There was dancing, leaping, crying...

I hope this makes sense.

Sissy, I know this response was not for me... but please let me explain why I have difficulty with this.


The response of those touched by the Lord was the natural outflow of their encounter with Jesus. It is true, most people do get emotional when a miracle occurs in their heart and life, but never do we read in scripture where believers are told to become emotional in order to show or prove they had an encounter with Jesus.

IMHO.... this is counter productive and fosters a pseudo worship that is not focused on spirit (inner man) and in truth (without pretension).

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Sissy, I know this response was not for me... but please let me explain why I have difficulty with this.


The response of those touched by the Lord was the natural outflow of their encounter with Jesus. It is true, most people do get emotional when a miracle occurs in their heart and life, but never do we read in scripture where believers are told to become emotional in order to show or prove they had an encounter with Jesus.

IMHO.... this is counter productive and fosters a pseudo worship that is not focused on spirit (inner man) and in truth (without pretension).

I am assuming you are married. Do you ever think of your relationship with your wife similar to a type of relationship with Jesus? In other words, you tell your wife you love her, but never display any emotions...

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sissy

I am assuming you are married. Do you ever think of your relationship with your wife similar to a type of relationship with Jesus? In other words, you tell your wife you love her, but never display any emotions...

uh.... sometimes are more emotional than others.... But yes, at times I tell my wife I love her without great emotion. This simply does not speak of a lack of sincerity nor a lack of commitment I have for her.

But I will say this; When she has to (or chooses to) ASK for a display of emotion, it most always defeats the purpose.


PS since this post is dealing with my real marriage relationship, I must say, my wife and I will both testify to a very solid and rewarding marriage relationship. (not perfect - just close )

I think what I'm trying to convey is that no one should demand someone to be emotional such as speaking in tongues, dancing, leaping... but that it should come naturally at times not that it has to everytime you go to church, but just to have no emotions ever - I think a person can have someemotions sometimes. Do you see what I'm saying - I'm probably muddying the waters more - sorry.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I was in a large AG church in Hawaii a couple summers ago and the guy was all fired up preaching and then he yelled, "Can I get a runner?" This guy hops up and runs around the building. He yelled again, "Can I get another one?" People went nuts and started running all over the building. It was really funny watching it from the balcony as visitors.

Was this in Honolulu? If so what churches do you recommend? I will be there one Sunday in February. In all honesty though since we are only going tobe there four days before we get on the ship for the five days back to Los Angeles I probably will have private chapel on Sunday, but I would like to know about churches there!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sissy

I think what I'm trying to convey is that no one should demand someone to be emotional such as speaking in tongues, dancing, leaping... but that it should come naturally at times not that it has to everytime you go to church, but just to have no emotions ever - I think a person can have someemotions sometimes. Do you see what I'm saying - I'm probably muddying the waters more - sorry.

No need to apologize sister! You view is the dominant one among OPs.

I am just presenting an alternative.

Just to be clear, my view is NOT an anti-emotional one!

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

No need to apologize sister! You view is the dominant one among OPs.

I am just presenting an alternative.

Just to be clear, my view is NOT an anti-emotional one!

You get so EMOTIONAL about this subject!!!