Does strict really mean deeper worship/presence??? - Page 2

missourimary · #11 11-01-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunni

In one of those 'strict' churches, the Pastor would tell us when special speakers or special visitors came, we should dress our best and 'worship' more to give them a good impression of us.... He loved being known as a 'revival church.'

Sad, I know....

It's happened in more than one, unless we went to the same church... It wasn't blatantly stated in my former church, but it was definitely inferred and followed through on. "Bro ____ is coming this weekend. Let's have good church!" and "Bro ____ is coming. We need to really get with it," were two examples of the code they used.

Also, some people see the running, leaping and dancing as worship... it is more outward and the group excitement can almost be tangible in those times, but sitting in complete quiet just focusing on God can be just as worshipful, if not more so. The difference is that if you're used to focusing on the externals, the active services are more entertaining. That isn't because they are deeper, but because we're too shallow.

Victorious · #12 11-01-2010, 03:23 PM

I attend a UPC church where God moves mightily in our worship services, and it has nothing to do with the standards that are present in our church. Our leadership believes in strong standards, but also recognizes that true worship of God comes from the heart and not the appearance of man. Our worship services are consistent from week to week whether our pastor is present or not. We do not worship harder or more exuberantly for special guests or speakers. We are who we are!

Pragmatist · #13 11-01-2010, 03:31 PM

I've felt God's presence strongly in Pentecostal churches and Methodist churches. I think it has nothing to do with the "standards" of a church, and everything to do with opening yourself up to God.

Adam · #14 11-01-2010, 03:38 PM

I am fearful of closing my eyes and really worshiping, lest some idiot comes over and slaps his hands on me. So, I choose to sit there with my eyes wide open, negating the entire reason for being there.

Pragmatist · #15 11-01-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

I am fearful of closing my eyes and really worshiping, lest some idiot comes over and slaps his hands on me. So, I choose to sit there with my eyes wide open, negating the entire reason for being there.

I keep my eyes open for the same reason

, but that doesn't stop me from worshiping.

MissBrattified · #16 11-01-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

I am fearful of closing my eyes and really worshiping, lest some idiot comes over and slaps his hands on me. So, I choose to sit there with my eyes wide open, negating the entire reason for being there.

Adam, my husband had a terrible boil on his knee one time due to a piece of imbedded metal, and developed a full-fledged staph infection from it. Anyway, before we figured out what the problem was, he went up for prayer. An old man in our church grabbed his knee right where it was painful and started shaking it and praying. My poor husband was yelping in pain, and the man apparently thought he was just "praising the Lord" and didn't let up.

It was a LONG time before he went back up to get prayer for anything.

FYI: The old man was very sweet and we loved him dearly. It was just, well, ignorance.

aegsm76 · #17 11-01-2010, 07:23 PM

God responds to worship and hunger for him. I have attended churches that have been called strict and churches that have been called liberal and this is my observation.
I have also moved and looked for a new church home and passed over some churches that were labeled strict and some that were labeled liberal.
But it had nothing to do with their "label", just had to do with the worship and hunger for God that I felt there.

POWERUP · #18 11-02-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

I remember actually telling people (back when I was in the UPC) that God showed up more mightily at our churches because of the sacrifice of our standards... I have no idea where I heard or learned that, but I sure said it often enough.

Truly our righteousness is as filthy rags- there is NOTHING we can do to earn or gain salvation, it truly is a gift. I cannot be "more saved" because of giving up makeup and pants- nowadays I look at this mentality and become saddened, Christ is the ONLY one who truly sacrificed; not us. Even when call our worship a sacrifice of praise, it is NOTHING compared to what truly matters which is the all-covering Blood of the Lamb. The Lamb who loves me so very much and does not require me to earn His love.

WOW!!! Great Stuff!!!