What kind of Church is YOUR Church

[Carpenter]

I am curious as the various types of church philosophies...and which one you prefer or which one you think is the most effective.

There is the church that seems to operate with people always having furrowed brows crying faces and a somber attitude. It is very rare this type of church has a joyous outbreak where people are smiling laughing, and generally having a good time. The minister comes to the pulpit with a lined forhead talking about the fight, the debbil, power with a furrow, and angry indignation toward the world. The altar calls have more crying, moaning, and not a whole lot of joy but tongues and interpretation is a common occurrance.

Then, there is the church where the minister has a charasmatic personality, shouting about the goodness, the triumph, the joy, power with a smile, evangelists have a joy about them and the congregation is easily excitable. Altar calls are full of dancing, shouting, and fast and loud music. I remember in one of these churches the choir sang the song by the Winans..."Dancing in the Spirit" and the shouting service lasted for an hour or better. In the church I described above, they denounced the song as being nothing more than cheerleading.

Lastly, is the intellectual church where deep and meaningful sermons are preached, there isn't a whole lot of moaning, groaning, weeping nor crying, nor is there an atmosphere of running leaping and dancing. Instead there is deep introspection and personal worship, a personal power, and principals brought forth regarding Christian living. Altar calls are introspective, and there is more one on one evangelism. The above two churches would call this one dead...

Maybe someone has another type, but even though I have a lack of ability to describe the different personalities, maybe someone can add theirs...

[berkeley]

Of the churches that you described, which would you rather attend?

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

Of the churches that you described, which would you rather attend?

Probably the third type, but I like a little of the first and second mixed in...

[True Believer]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Probably the third type, but I like a little of the first and second mixed in...

I would say my church is a mixture of the second and third choices. I love my church.

[Coonskinner]

I don't think we would fit neatly in any of the three "boxes."

Regarding your #1 scenario, I don't do much talking about the devil. I don't like songs about the devil. I don't pretend that he doesn't exist, but I have a strong conviction that I ought to focus a whole lot more attention on Jesus than on him. If i knew the devil was in a gumball machine, I wouldn't spend the dime to get a look at him.

However, I do preach sober, conviction type messages sometimes. I think it takes a balance of that, along with enouragement and uplifting, faith building ministry.

Our worship services are often like the #2 scenario you mentioned, but not always. Sometimes we shout and other times it is a more reflective, reverent spirit of worship. I have taught our people that every person doesn't have to respond the same way to the Presence of God, or demonstrate their praise in the same manner, but everybody ought to do something, express themselves in some way.

As for evaluating what kind of preacher I am in the coontext of your three scenarios, I'm not sure I would be able to objectively do that. Often our perception of ourselves is skewed. I guess I will just have to leave that part blank and let you speculate for yourself.

I think our church is pretty much an even balance of all three. . . .I personally wouldn't want just one of the scenarios ALL THE TIME and agree that it does depend on the move of God and His will. I need the quiet, somber, deep one-on-one conversation with God, just as much as I need loud rejoicing for all He has done for me. My church is great and I LOVE IT!

[seguidordejesus]

Mine is a mix of the first and second, with about 10% of the third.

The mix is that there's lots of talk about the devil, etc., like you described, but with not quite as many furrowed brows

I'd prefer mostly #3 with about 20% #2 and 5% #3

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

I am curious as the various types of church philosophies...and which one you prefer or which one you think is the most effective.

There is the church that seems to operate with people always having furrowed brows crying faces and a somber attitude. It is very rare this type of church has a joyous outbreak where people are smiling laughing, and generally having a good time. The minister comes to the pulpit with a lined forhead talking about the fight, the debbil, power with a furrow, and angry indignation toward the world. The altar calls have more crying, moaning, and not a whole lot of joy but tongues and interpretation is a common occurrance.

Then, there is the church where the minister has a charasmatic personality, shouting about the goodness, the triumph, the joy, power with a smile, evangelists have a joy about them and the congregation is easily excitable. Altar calls are full of dancing, shouting, and fast and loud music. I remember in one of these churches the choir sang the song by the Winans..."Dancing in the Spirit" and the shouting service lasted for an hour or better. In the church I described above, they denounced the song as being nothing more than cheerleading.

Lastly, is the intellectual church where deep and meaningful sermons are preached, there isn't a whole lot of moaning, groaning, weeping nor crying, nor is there an atmosphere of running leaping and dancing. Instead there is deep introspection and personal worship, a personal power, and principals brought forth regarding Christian living. Altar calls are introspective, and there is more one on one evangelism. The above two churches would call this one dead...

Maybe someone has another type, but even though I have a lack of ability to describe the different personalities, maybe someone can add theirs...

When I started attending First United in 1997 the services were like what you described in the second scenario. Tongues and interpretation was not uncommon.
After 3 or 4 years we started to have the types of services in scenario 1.
When I left scenario 1 was dominant. I'm not sure what's going on there now.
The odds of scenario 3 are slim to none.

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

When I started attending First United in 1997 the services were like what you described in the second scenario. Tongues and interpretation was not uncommon.
After 3 or 4 years we started to have the types of services in scenario 1.
When I left scenario 1 was dominant. I'm not sure what's going on there now.
The odds of scenario 3 are slim to none.

You know what is odd about this question.I have attended most churches where they have all this from time to time.Just dependes the way the Spirit moves or do you think the people moves the Spirit the way they want ?

[CC1]

My church is the "lastly" scenario!