I have given some thought to our presentation of Christianity and how we project the gospel to the lost by how we "do church".
Are we really reaching across the spectrum of our society? Or is it simply a segment that find our special niche attractive?
It seems the primary attraction of Pentecostalism has often been the exuberant congregants who enthusiastically recite stories of their radical transformation. Their rejection of what was perceived a stoic Christian religion often preceded their conversion and embrace of Pentecostalism. They eagerly embrace the idea that quieter churches and those who worship liturgically are in fact "dead churches". They are attracted to the total abandon shockamoo style of worship and seem quick to denigrate those who see less virtue in the same.
Having a jam session and headbangin worship may be kewl to some, but to most? Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?
My question is, "What if one is not appealed to the way church is done"?
What if one really does not find total abandon attractive?
What if one does not see the virtue of a solemn liturgical service?
Is there outreach to those who aren't already wired like us?
Does it matter? Is it God Himself who sets the tone/style or do we have an actual responsibility to design our services and worship experience?
Is it our duty to find what is most attractive and acceptable in the society we live in?
Some have broadened their scope by have various services with different styles in each.
How far should the church go the be appealing to all peoples?
Are we appalling to more than we are appealing to?
A moment that changed my life was a airplane ride from IBC/Indiana to S. Florida. I did the switchover in Chicago and was sitting next to a middle eastern lady next to me. She was Coptic Orthodox (Egyptian Orthodox). I tried to open her up for some witnessing and started asking her about the way they do church. I asked if it wasnt a bit dry having all that high liturgy style worship. She told me no... the way they looked at it is that they have spent 2000 years refining a better way of worshiping God in all his majesty. I thought about all the wild and stupid stuff I've seen in my background and told her that was a beautiful testimony.. then I shut up and cracked open a book while I thought about what she said.
Some folks are more cerebral or are attracted to high liturgy approaches also. It serves its place like the other worship and teaching styles.
A moment that changed my life was a airplane ride from IBC/Indiana to S. Florida. I did the switchover in Chicago and was sitting next to a middle eastern lady next to me. She was Coptic Orthodox (Egyptian Orthodox). I tried to open her up for some witnessing and started asking her about the way they do church. I asked if it wasnt a bit dry having all that high liturgy style worship. She told me no... the way they looked at it is that they have spent 2000 years refining a better way of worshiping God in all his majesty. I thought about all the wild and stupid stuff I've seen in my background and told her that was a beautiful testimony.. then I shut up and cracked open a book while I thought about what she said.
Some folks are more cerebral or are attracted to high liturgy approaches also. It serves its place like the other worship and teaching styles.
Many love the reverence and quiet communication with God found in the liturgical style. The focus is one-on-one with God, a private matter, but one in which you can join with all to kneel before the throne before an amazing, loving, forgiving, majestic God. Look carefully at an Eastern Orthodox "service" and you will see tears and people who have completely lost themselves in a reverent worship to God.
The Orthodox spend 2 1/2 hours standing or kneeling before God during a normal liturgy (they sit only during the sermon). If they go to the prayers before the liturgy, you can add another hour. Some liturgies can last up to 4 hours - during which most of the time is passed standing. Yet, the Orthodox say that they do this to show their respect to God and the Gospel, and that when they enter into worship, they never notice how long they have stood. One Orthodox friend told me that it was her body standing, but her heart was busy being with God and never noticed that her feet and back were tired.
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God is good!
May my life be a daily example of the redeeming power and the love of God
Apoc and Coffee, I can very much identify with those who prefer a quieter and more structured worship. My wife on the other hand is more comfortable with typical Pentecostal worship.
It is strange, some cannot imagine a service without high energy, shoutings, runnings and a screaming preacher. Personally the din of it all can cause me to disconnect and even fall asleep!
__________________ "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
Apoc and Coffee, I can very much identify with those who prefer a quieter and more structured worship. My wife on the other hand is more comfortable with typical Pentecostal worship.
It is strange, some cannot imagine a service without high energy, shoutings, runnings and a screaming preacher. Personally the din of it all can cause me to disconnect and even fall asleep!
I agree completely.
It has been a while since I have been in a classic (non-independent) apostolic service and after watching some video's it is shocking how turned off I am to seeing people running back and forth at the alter area while someone is preaching. The very nature of such worship is to draw attention to oneself (usually trying to pick up chicks) -while the opposite is true of the more reverent, quieter style of praise. IT is about yourself and God.
It has been a while since I have been in a classic (non-independent) apostolic service and after watching some video's it is shocking how turned off I am to seeing people running back and forth at the alter area while someone is preaching. The very nature of such worship is to draw attention to oneself (usually trying to pick up chicks) -while the opposite is true of the more reverent, quieter style of praise. IT is about yourself and God.
Trying to drop chicks?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
It has been a while since I have been in a classic (non-independent) apostolic service and after watching some video's it is shocking how turned off I am to seeing people running back and forth at the alter area while someone is preaching. The very nature of such worship is to draw attention to oneself (usually trying to pick up chicks) -while the opposite is true of the more reverent, quieter style of praise. IT is about yourself and God.
The running at the altar area is also often encouraged because it creates an emotionally charged atmosphere and shows any "doubters" how "unified" we are as a body. On the other hand, not every church does those things. I've been in OP services where there was hardly even an amen, yet changed lives for the better. And for whatever reason, the atmosphere is most charged near the front. But that is also true of a sporting event or concert.
I enjoy both types of worship to a point, and can see definite benefits to both as long as the focus is on God.
It has been a while since I have been in a classic (non-independent) apostolic service and after watching some video's it is shocking how turned off I am to seeing people running back and forth at the alter area while someone is preaching. The very nature of such worship is to draw attention to oneself (usually trying to pick up chicks) -while the opposite is true of the more reverent, quieter style of praise. IT is about yourself and God.
I always did wonder why some churches only let the men go up front to worship or preach the preacher. Now I understand. These were the same churches that insisted that their women should be demure while the men hunted them!!
It has always distracted me. I remember growing up and being in a place with God which was shattered when someone would grab me and shout, "just let loose" or someone would crash into a wall and knock over the chairs while running the aisle. It just always seemed like nothing more than a show - and RW, you are right, many wanted attention. I didn't go to sleep, Hoovie, but I didn't get anything out of it either. For me, it is like a diet of nothing but cheesecake and chocolate. Sounds good, but doesn't lead me anywhere good!
Reverence appeals to me. I also like the fact that many people who follow a liturgical form believe that their worship extends beyond the walls of their church and is a daily thing, shown through prayer and study, how one deals with others, and care for the less fortunate. In their view, coming together however many times a week at a service is a way to bring that worship together with fellow believers and show a "formal" appreciation of God.
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God is good!
May my life be a daily example of the redeeming power and the love of God
WOW! I really like that quote from J. H. Taylor. Thanks for sharing. Can you recommend the book and author? Thanks.
I'm sure there is a book somewhere, but I don't have one that is only about J. Hudson Taylor. I've mainly read about him in other books, about something else, that told pieces of his story. There's also a lot of info available on the internet.
He went to China and was completely rejected the first 12 months. He made 18 preaching tours of Shanghai and was called the "Black Devil" because of the long, black English over coat he wore. When he preached, they would throw stones and rotten fruit at him.
After one year of complete futility, he regrouped. He shaved his head except for growing a ponytail from the back of his head (the style of the time), and even practiced walking in the form and order as the Chinese.
In every possible way, he became a Chinese person and experienced great success. Some would consider him the greatest modern missionary, and he did most all of it without the help of the Christian community. He was, of course, greatly criticized for the way he dressed.
...I remember growing up and being in a place with God which was shattered when someone would grab me and shout, "just let loose" or someone would crash into a wall and knock over the chairs while running the aisle. It just always seemed like nothing more than a show - and RW, you are right, many wanted attention. I didn't go to sleep, Hoovie, but I didn't get anything out of it either. For me, it is like a diet of nothing but cheesecake and chocolate. Sounds good, but doesn't lead me anywhere good!
Or slam their hand on your head or crash into you while "shouting"... ? I was in a really wild one for awhile. One woman told me that we should be considerate of each other, but in worship, it was every man for himself! And your final description is alot like mine. I felt it was nothing but fluff. It takes an awful lot of fluff to keep a person from starving...
I've shouted when it wasn't a show (a few times, at least). So I know it isn't always. But I would have been at least as happy kneeling or on my face before God as I was dancing and jumping around.
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