Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Lights

[Brad Murphy]

Jesus didn't need a PA system, air conditioning or cushioned pews to preach to thousands...

[MikeinAR]

Originally Posted by Rico

Paul used some pretty strange methods himself, ya know. He used an altar that had "To The Unknown God" and preached Jesus. He appealed to Ceasar, undoubtedly knowing it would mean he'd stay jailed, just so he could preach Jesus. Using unconventional methods isn't anything new.

I would agree that Paul, to a point was unconventional. I'm not sure that he opened up a mosh pit on cell block 3 for all willing participants.

I believe in the church being on the cutting edge of darkness and light, but in the past 2 years I've been to some "christian rock" concerts where the crowd acted more insane than any country concert or most pop group crowd would.

Far be it from me to jump in the midst of all that smoke and haze and head banging to remind anyone that they're worshipping a Holy God, but I just wonder where the line is drawn sometimes? Is everything open for use?

I'm sure we could draw a huge crowd by having a "swimming" Sunday complete with cold sodas, hot dogs and swimming after the message, but would it make good sense to have a mixed crowd of half naked people come and hear the gospel in that setting? I'm not condemning any church or youth group that has strobe lights and heavy metal christian rock, I just wonder where the line will be drawn when my 4 year old is a teenager.

[RandyWayne]

I am certainly a fan of colored lights, smoke machines, lasers, and thumping (but well tuned!) subwoofers -just not in church. I used all of the above as a DJ and am even doing some crazy things in a few small sections of our new house with colored LEDs and black lights. I love special effects and being creative!

But I also will go to a large church with all of the above and think "you know, they could have BUILT a small missions church over seas for what they paid for all this!". I also find it very distracting to the move of the spirit. Other then a well-designed sound system, I am very conservative about what I think is proper within an American church building. Just my humble opinion.

[MawMaw]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

Jesus didn't need a PA system, air conditioning or cushioned pews to preach to thousands...

Alllllllllllright, now!!!!

oh, btw......nice choice of drug! hehe

[The Mrs]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

Jesus didn't need a PA system, air conditioning or cushioned pews to preach to thousands...

Can you imagine the indignation the old timers must have felt when they left the tents and went to auditoriums??? Oh, the horror of it!!!

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by The Mrs

Can you imagine the indignation the old timers must have felt when they left the tents and went to auditoriums??? Oh, the horror of it!!!

Personally, carpet morally offends me...

[1Corinth2v4]

Originally Posted by Rico

Paul used some pretty strange methods himself, ya know. He used an altar that had "To The Unknown God" and preached Jesus. He appealed to Ceasar, undoubtedly knowing it would mean he'd stay jailed, just so he could preach Jesus. Using unconventional methods isn't anything new.

Here is What Paul preached on Mars Hill:


Acts 17:

24) “God that made the world and all things therein” (Paul preached God’s power by proclaiming “God made all things”)

27) “if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:” (Paul proclaims God is everywhere, He is omnipresent, He is not far from everyone of us)

31) “in the which he will judge the world in righteousness” & “he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Paul preached the coming judgment and God's Resurrection power)


In Athens Paul uses an altar dedicated to an unknown God to preach the gospel, he didn't build the altar. If I was to follow Paul's example, I would come to a Christian concert and preach "brethren, God isn't found within colored lights and smoke machines."


Also notice, Paul preached the gospel without enticing attractions.

[The Mrs]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Personally, carpet morally offends me...

I think they should have stuck with the gas sconces on the walls. Those new-fangled lights are used in bars.

[Sister Alvear]

Would the tabernacle furniture seem strange? It was a way God used to convey a message to his people...he used smoke...lightening, clouds...and lots of things
now with saying that I want to say I see no harm in using different things at times...Once we rented a "rain" machine because our young people wanted to have their theme about rain...so when they opened their service it rained! I felt no warnings from God saying it was wrong...or right...the kids enjoyed it...it spoke to their hearts about another rain...kids got the Holy Ghost...
I own a smoke machine and we have used it in plays and demonstrations...it has never interfered with the presence of God...
I bought black lights for our choir to use and my friend Sherri and a few more sent me white gloves and they did songs for their special events...
I don´t think we have to spend thousands of dollars on things but young people need things...
and no it does not seem or remind me of a bar...the lights remind me of the maker of lights, the gift of rain, the white gloves remind me of the gift of sight to behold such an awesome song...
Usually whatever the world has it was God´s from the beginning...
That is true in music...and dance...
Will we quit using guitars because of the Beatles? Quit shouting because of Elvis?
Why would we want a sound system? God doesn´t have to have a sound system...the early church sure did not have one...
I just had some guests over here that told me my Jewish group that I have worked for and with for so long offended their Holy Ghost...lol...
I told them, ‘you sat and criticized I sat and wept and spoke in tongues as they sang both in Portuguese and Hebrew.´
Everything about heaven is beautiful…Revelation is a highly symbolic book…I see nothing wrong with using anything that enlightens us and helps heaven to become so real in our hearts…
I´ll fly away for us old folks…but get something else for the young…(just my thoughts)

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by The Mrs

I think they should have stuck with the gas sconces on the walls. Those new-fangled lights are used in bars.

Yeah! And those geetars, and pianars too, and oh my word, I don't even want to talk about what those there drums have been used for!