Being Protestant

[Major]

If I have come across as "being cross".... I am NOT... I am simply taken aback that what started as a loose topic of WHY I am protestant has somehow turned into a huge debate on WORSHIP.

I am tired from my new responsibilities.... and so I do not have the time to answer deep dilemmas at this time.... so there's that.

I am not offended in the least regarding ANYTHING that my buddy Major has said... but when I try to make a point... I guess I get right into it and list what I have to say and be done with it.

I'm good... EVERYONE is good.... BECAUSE I am NOT churched... I am missing out on the EFFECT of WHEN things began to CHANGE with Worship. I entered into the scene ( again... UNCHURCHED ) in 2000... and I was ONLY exposed to Contemporary Worship.

How many times have I said... I'm done... I'm out?? ... HAHAHA...... I am simply trying to state that I am OK with other's take on this.... but I am sad that this is an issue in churches.... I think there are bigger fish.... Just my little SHEEPISH opinion. There is truly NOTHING more to say.

SO..... LOVE YOU all.... I'm really just done saying anything I could possibly state about Worship.... the rest is simply respecting that I don't see it the same way that many do. I am ok with that.

My dears sister.....thread always......ALWAYS take on a way of their own. That is the way the Holy Spirit directs us to communicate. What may be on one person heart may not be on another so it all comes out !

You are good and you do not owe anyone an apology! You have not said anything to cause such an action.

It is a good thread and is leading to some good comments!!!!

 

[Major]

Good morning, Major and In Awe of Him;

As Major alluded and I'll paraphrase, I'm not going to sugar these posts (nor the membership.)

In Awe of Him, you made it clear several times you don't attend Church, you may visit a Church from time to time, instead, Christian Forum Site is your Church. Noone has ever criticized you for that. I know of one member who was constructive in response to you and I understood their point. Regardless, between you and the Lord, this site is your Church. Let it be.

If anyone disrespects you and compromises the forum rules, the moderators will act on it.

You confess you fail to understand what we discussed is even an issue. No need to apologize, sister. I encourage you to vent your respective feelings, (we understand you!) and then seek God's help for you to learn.

I encourage all of us as we read, please listen to what we're reading.

God is still helping me learn each day because there are so many things about the Bible and Church that just don't make sense to me. I'm still a growing disciple and I choose God. I will stay the course with Him.

Truth be told, the members posting are long time Church goers, attending consistently week after week, and have gained the wisdom and discernment to know worship is only by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. This is the work of God. His Word encourages us to gather for Worship in Hebrews 10:24-25.

Hebrews 10:24-25, 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - NKJV

I personally witness the assembly of worship week in and week out. My Church family experiences the joy of corporate worship. I can feel the Holy Spirit fill the place from the opening greeting, to prayer, praise and worship, the Lord's message and benediction.

One a personal note, my first ministry in Church was the music ministry in 1974. During those years I attended many praise / worship workshops, retreats, conferences all pertaining to the music ministry and it's purposes.

I've heard all the countless pros and cons of Praise and Worship in the order of service. As I reiterated in my previous post, there is a distinction between emotionalism in a Praise and Worship service, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit during a Praise and Worship service (which will include a level of emotionalism.)

God bless you, In Awe of Him.

Bob

Agreed. Awe in Him has no need to offer an apology!!!

 

[Major]

Goes towards the so called Seeker Church mindset, as we have to appeal to them with out Gyms, pools, concerts, buildings, everything but Jesus and the Gospel, because do not wish to offend them or make them feel bad

And Florida is where that dude that promoted holy laughter hung up, eh? Bonke or something?

Yes, in Tampa. He and Copeland are easy to find on line......Search "Copeland and holy laughter"!

 

[forgiven61]

I'm good... EVERYONE is good.... BECAUSE I am NOT churched... I am missing out on the EFFECT of WHEN things began to CHANGE with Worship. I entered into the scene ( again... UNCHURCHED ) in 2000... and I was ONLY exposed to Contemporary Worship.

i have not seen anyone mention church attendance as a requirement . i will say not having a home church a person misses out on many things. but its not salvation threatening

 

[forgiven61]

Yes, in Tampa. He and Copeland are easy to find on line......Search "Copeland and holy laughter"!

why would anyone want to search him out ? he is well none money man along with mike Murdoch

 

[cocoa]

o no pentecostal worship in a baptist church.. they stand they sing they clap.. only part i disagree with is how tongues is used and of course the twitching and jerking.. i was in a pentc church guy took off smacked the wall... if its of God it will be done decently and in order might i add i dont agree with the slain in the spirit..

I grew up in a Black Baptist church and as a child I remeber women (never men) going into convulsions. I dont really remeber how I felt about it at the time but later on, I learned that these "shouting" or "praise breaks" were really African cultural traditions (brought by enslaved Africans) that got carried over into the church. It's an integration of African spiritually and Christianity. Sometimes the women would convulse themselves into fainting and then being covered by a white sheet.

I'm not familiar with the history of this activity within the pentecostal church but I know that in the 90s it wasn't unusual to find this happening in a Black baptist church.

 

[cocoa]

If I have come across as "being cross".... I am NOT... I am simply taken aback that what started as a loose topic of WHY I am protestant has somehow turned into a huge debate on WORSHIP.

This thread has definitely veered off course but you don't come off as cross... Protestantism is like a bag of trailmix... it can come with any combo of likes and dislikes. And while some things are obviously wrong, others are just a matter of preference.

 

[bobinfaith]

I grew up in a Black Baptist church and as a child I remeber women (never men) going into convulsions. I dont really remeber how I felt about it at the time but later on, I learned that these "shouting" or "praise breaks" were really African cultural traditions (brought by enslaved Africans) that got carried over into the church. It's an integration of African spiritually and Christianity. Sometimes the women would convulse themselves into fainting and then being covered by a white sheet. I'm not familiar with the history of this activity within the pentecostal church but I know that in the 90s it wasn't unusual to find this happening in a Black baptist church.

Good morning, cocoa;

How did you learn about this? Was the history shared with you within their Church new membership classes, a seminary class, an article or documentary?

I'm impressed with what you shared. Aside from the shouting, praise breaks and convulsing, did their Christian doctrine (Bible studies, Sunday school, preaching, etc...) add to your experience as a growing Christian?

God bless you, cocoa.

 

[In Awe of Him]

i have not seen anyone mention church attendance as a requirement . i will say not having a home church a person misses out on many things. but its not salvation threatening

If you properly read what you quoted me as saying... you will see that my point was that because I am NOT churched.... I have missed the TRANSITION from traditional to contemporary. My comment had nothing to do with "making a point" of not going to church.

 

[bobinfaith]

i have not seen anyone mention church attendance as a requirement . i will say not having a home church a person misses out on many things. but its not salvation threatening

Good morning, forgiven;

I get this from time to time regardless of denomination. You're right, it's not salvation threatening.

In Catholicism they keep tabs on attendance. It's a formality for the parish ministry to write a letter to the family for not attending Mass regularly and signed by their Priest. You'll be surprised by the members who fear their Priest and will show up the next Sunday. Other parish members in these modern times would ignore the letter and not return.

Out of anger they would visit our Church and discuss with me that they're leaving their Church and would like to convert to Protestantism. I would welcome anyone for the sole purpose of worshiping Jesus, but I would encourage them to go back to their priest and convey what they shared with me about converting. After the discussion they would end up remaining at their parish. A few did convert, but overall Catholicism has a loyal following, so feeling forced to attend Mass to them is part of the package.

God does not command us to attend Church but encourages us to gather for Worship reference Hebrews 10:24-25.

Hebrews 10:24-25, 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - NKJV

Back in the mid 90s my wife and I were new at our Church. For a couple of Sundays we were too lazy to attend Church. It felt nice to sleep in late, cook a hot breakfast and kick back. We received a call on our answering machine from our Pastor. He was kind and articulated how we were missed at Church. We didn't feel forced but was given a little loving nudge.

That always stayed with me and I began to practice my former Pastor's example on my Church family, besides a visitation, cup of coffee, etc...

God bless you, forgiven.

Bob

 

[cocoa]

Good morning, cocoa;

How did you learn about this? Was the history shared with you within their Church new membership classes, a seminary class, an article or documentary?

I'm impressed with what you shared. Aside from the shouting, praise breaks and convulsing, did their Christian doctrine (Bible studies, Sunday school, preaching, etc...) add to your experience as a growing Christian?

God bless you, cocoa.

This has been expressed as fact from many different sources over the years, from secular and religious sources. The origins of these practices wasn't something taught like at Sunday school and but it was acknowledged as a cultural practice but at the same time credited to the Holy Spirit (basocally syncretism)
It's claim is to have originated from the Ring Shout.

As I youth I just thought this was something Baptists do... because I would go to Methodist AME church with my best friend and her family and they were indeed lively but I never witnessed the convulsing at her church so naturally I assumed at 10yrs old that jumping and stomping anf dalling out was for baptist.

 

[forgiven61]

God does not command us to attend Church but encourages us to gather for Worship reference Hebrews 10:24-25.

thats just it there far more to it than Just going to church ----> Hebrews 10:24-25, 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - NKJV there is encouragement going usually somebody has something going on in life thats tough sickness hardship trails the struggle just give up// not only do we lift each other up but we fellowship.. then the feeding of the word. hearing the message only helps us for whats outside the 4 walls of the Church..

so many in the world think Christians who attend church are stuck up snobs. granted there is a few but if everyone would be honest ,, THERE A TRAIN WRECK waiting to happen the great conductor the greater than he that is in us steers us away and out of the wreck. plus we get fed and lifted up