Quote:
Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson
I don't believe that was the reason he voiced his valid concerns.
Our Pentecostal worship services should be geared towards bringing people to a place where they can experience their own personal, Biblically based Pentecost.
I am absolutely convinced that there are good Christian songs that would prohibit that from happening if brought into the worship setting.
There is more to this subject than preference.
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RE: The underlined portion above.
Since no one in recorded history has actually experienced the "Biblical Pentecost" (speaking in foreign languages that were understood by native speakers, cloven tongues of fire, etc) this statement is left open to a great deal of analysis.
Just how does the style of music (and I mean reasonably here, no AC/DC - just Christian worship music including "modern" or contemporary styles) affect what God is going to do since His plans were set in motion from the foundation of the world (
Ephesians 1:4)? Is He really moved by the relatively insignificant changes of musical style over the years?
The article under review here was clearly directed at some things that the author found disturbing within his own fellowship experience. He describes the object of his concern thusly:
"There are Changes being promoted among UPCI Churches, by young, and some not so young, Preachers. These CHANGERS want to totally change the form and order of Church Services, and are ACCOMPLISHING it in some Churches."
He then goes on to make the outrageous charge that:
"These CHANGERS seem to be totally unaware that they are catering to rebellious, hippy mind set, drug infested, immoral, street living Worldlings."
He then focuses upon the specific object of his concern (as identified by "Crazy Joe"):
"They, the “Changers” have for the most part, paid nothing nor sacrificed their life to bring a Church into being."
You hear this particular complaint a lot. I don't know the pastor facing this scorn personally, but I have worked in and seen many churches where "the respected elder" was well past his prime by the time hit hit 50, yet he stayed on. The church was then carried by the faithful labors of his children (both "in the Gospel" and even natural children) while the old man reaped the benefits of age and had the chance and free time to follow his own curiosities and pursuits.
Later, when the transition was made official and the "younger guy" was allowed more reign to shape things according to his vision - the old man's buddies all cried "Foul!" because "the kids" had never sacrificed to build the church.
Baloney.
What we see here is the error and sin of Nebuchadnezzar and "The Mark of the Beast." This article cries out from the pits of Babylon. The writer has proclaimed himself to be everything from the head of gold to the Ten Toed Kingdoms of this world. We must NOT bow down to this graven image - I don't care what kind of music they play! We must NOT bow down!