My intent isn't to degrade those that utilize these methods. However, I'm wanting to understand the drive behind your motive.
I'll boldly state I disapprove of colored lights, smoke machines, and strobe bright lights being utilized at any youth/adult event.
I've studied their origin, and you'll mostly find these instruments within a night club.
I hope we can a civilized dialog after my questions have been asked.
1) What are your motives behind bringing these instruments into the church?
2) What do you believe these instruments would accomplish for youth or adults?
3) Are you trying to create a club/concert atmosphere for people? (understanding 99% percent of these instruments are utilized at a club/concert)
4) Are you trying to infuse the church with the world's utensils for attraction?
5) What ever happen to plainly preaching the word without utilizing any form of club/concert attraction?
7) Is your message "living for God is cool"?
8) Do you feel your colored lights, smoke machines, strobe light concert filled Christian rock music can accomplish more than a regular lit building, with a preacher preaching and a sovereign move of God?
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.
My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
I have very little time to answer right now.... But I think this is totally a non-issue. It is like saying you are for or against books.
The only thing I would say is nothing can or ever will REPLACE plainly preaching the word of God.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeinAR
Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.
My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?
Marijuana might make kids more open to the message, too!
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
I don't support any of these either. I feel they are all carnel means to get a fleshly reaction.
Is it impossible to worship God with those things taking place? no
Infact, what is beautiful to me is when people worship and pray without any music or cheerleading (being pushed by a preacher or worship "leader"). Nothing wrong with music, as long it's in its rightful place. Didn't mean to change the subject, just wanted add that in !
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeinAR
Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.
My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?
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.
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeinAR
Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.
My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?
It really does not effect me in any way.
But, I do agree with your statement, "if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great".
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmy
Marijuana might make kids more open to the message, too!
Tim-may!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Quote:
Originally Posted by cneasttx
Tim-may!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Rom.8:38,39-For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither heigth nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Re: Colored Lights/Smoke Machines/Strobe Bright Li
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeinAR
Very, very good questions and I'm looking forward to the responses. I personally don't support all of those methods for a lot of the reasons you point out. As always, the proof is in the results and if people are reached for Christ and start in the faith, that's great.
My problem is where do we draw the line? If we have to have smoke machines and strobe lights and mosh pits, where do we go next when the effect of all of that wears off? Where are the limits to drawing people to hear the message?