Disturbing Trends or Christian Maturity?

This story is a little different then the thread. Back in the 80's, we were in a store front church. (My in-laws started a the church in their living room in 1973 - shortly after, they purchased a store front building.) The small church was a very worshipful church. For about several weeks it seemed that no one worshipped, kind of lazy, sat there and stared at my FIL. So, my MIL grabbed the hands and "pulled" the people, that normally shouted, out of their seats and told them to shout and dance before the Lord. Thankfully, I was on the organ and she didn't get to me, but I know some were uncomfortable and some shouted & danced away! Needless to say, she never did that again. Bless her heart - she is polish! *grin*

Now in 2007, as a worship leader, I have tried to encourage people to raise their hands, or stand if they physically can and worship. I don't want to come across as being demanding, but I do think sometimes people may need a little prodding. It is always good for them to see the worship team and myself being an example in worship too.

My husband has said to the congregation, one time or another that it is good to speak in tongues especially if it has been a long time since you have spoke in tongues. I don't think he has ever told everyone to speak in tongues at once, but I know that when the Spirit is flowing, majority of the church is speaking in tongues at the same time. (I'm not talking about the gifts of the Spirit - message in tongues comes either one, two no more than three before someone interprets) I'm glad that tongues come very easy for me (it didn't always) and I usually speak in tongues about every time I pray. Thank God for the Holy Ghost!!!

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by Felicity

About the telling people to start speaking in tongues, AM does that I think?

Is this a command to speak in tongues, or an encouragement to pray until you are talking in tongues.

Everyone needs a new double-dose of infilling of The Holy Ghost.

I have no problem with a man saying, "Come on, pray until God speaks though your tongue again." The inference is here "Come on, Talk in tougues" which is disturbing indeed.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Is this a command to speak in tongues, or an encouragement to pray until you are talking in tongues.

Everyone needs a new double-dose of infilling of The Holy Ghost.

I have no problem with a man saying, "Come on, pray until God speaks though your tongue again." The inference is here "Come on, Talk in tougues" which is disturbing indeed.

The meetings I've been in where this has happened you are told to start talking in tongues.

Like I said, I speak in tongues almost always when I pray. So the "speaking in tongues" on command isn't the issue for me. It's being TOLD to start speaking in tongues. I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with it -- it's just kind of strange is all.

I never encountered this until the last 20 years or so. The Word of Faith/Charismatic movement is just about that old.

[marthaolivia]

Isn't is possible for one to learn to speak in tongues? I have not been in church very long but I have noticed that some people seem to say the same phrase over and over and some just babble (like buh, buh, buh, buh, etc.). I am not criticizing..just wondering..

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Sissy

This story is a little different then the thread. Back in the 80's, we were in a store front church. (My in-laws started a the church in their living room in 1973 - shortly after, they purchased a store front building.) The small church was a very worshipful church. For about several weeks it seemed that no one worshipped, kind of lazy, sat there and stared at my FIL. So, my MIL grabbed the hands and "pulled" the people, that normally shouted, out of their seats and told them to shout and dance before the Lord. Thankfully, I was on the organ and she didn't get to me, but I know some were uncomfortable and some shouted & danced away! Needless to say, she never did that again. Bless her heart - she is polish! *grin*

Now in 2007, as a worship leader, I have tried to encourage people to raise their hands, or stand if they physically can and worship. I don't want to come across as being demanding, but I do think sometimes people may need a little prodding. It is always good for them to see the worship team and myself being an example in worship too.

My husband has said to the congregation, one time or another that it is good to speak in tongues especially if it has been a long time since you have spoke in tongues. I don't think he has ever told everyone to speak in tongues at once, but I know that when the Spirit is flowing, majority of the church is speaking in tongues at the same time. (I'm not talking about the gifts of the Spirit - message in tongues comes either one, two no more than three before someone interprets) I'm glad that tongues come very easy for me (it didn't always) and I usually speak in tongues about every time I pray. Thank God for the Holy Ghost!!!

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.

[Hoovie]

"Speaking in tongues... ...does not prove the abiding presence of the Spirit."

--David Bernard

[Hoovie]

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.

If it is, then it is a FALSE measuring stick. AND, I might add one that is very easily conjured and duplicated in corporate worship.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sissy

I'm glad that tongues come very easy for me (it didn't always) and I usually speak in tongues about every time I pray. Thank God for the Holy Ghost!!!

Just a comment (not meant for contention)

I usually do not speak in tongues about every time I pray (nor do I try to). I too thank God for the Holy Ghost!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Just a comment (not meant for contention)

I usually do not speak in tongues about every time I pray (nor do I try to). Thank too thank God for the Holy Ghost!

Huhhhhh?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Huhhhhh?

fixed it.