What Do You Do?

[Guest]

This question is based somewhat loosely on the Cultural Phenomenon thread.

I've visited a great many churches over the years because of being in the military, and I have seen many different variations in worship in those churches. I tend to have an open mind on worship practice, so it takes quite a bit to "freak me out, as it were." The discussion got me thinking of several situations from the past. Here's one:

You are visiting a church you've never been to before. It's Sunday morning and you're on a cross country trip and felt led to this particular place. The people are all "normal" looking enough, and friendly. The service starts, and the first thing the pastor says after welcoming any visitors is "Let's all worship the Lord." Then the fun begins.

The result looks & sounds like the inmates of a mental institution that are off their meds and running loose around the yard. That's the only way to describe it. This is not where a few are shouting, dancing, raising hands, or other worship you might find in a service. Think total chaos and disorder, so much so that the hairs on the back of your neck start standing up. Something tells you its time to leave. Fast.

What do you do?

[Guest man]

What do you do?

You could get up and leave or sit back and watch.

Myself, I would probably find a place in the back of the room and sit back and observe.

[Botz]

You are visiting a church you've never been to before. It's Sunday morning and you're on a cross country trip and felt led to this particular place. The people are all "normal" looking enough, and friendly. The service starts, and the first thing the pastor says after welcoming any visitors is "Let's all worship the Lord." Then the fun begins.

The result looks & sounds like the inmates of a mental institution that are off their meds and running loose around the yard. That's the only way to describe it. This is not where a few are shouting, dancing, raising hands, or other worship you might find in a service. Think total chaos and disorder, so much so that the hairs on the back of your neck start standing up. Something tells you its time to leave. Fast.

What do you do?

First thing I would naturally do is to wonder why the L-rd apparently led me there in the first place.

Then I would probably do what man suggests and move to the back and observe, all the while asking in my heart for G-d to show me what it was all about...mind you I've been in some pretty wild meetings

[Joshua-777]

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Those Christians and their wild parties, they're at it again!

Seek the Lord on it, if He lead you there, there is a reason.

[nebula]

For me it would depend on a few things.

If you are in a foreign country (non-Western), how much of what they are doing is their cultural expression?

The other thing, for me, is a spiritual discernment issue. I can "feel" atmospheres. I've been to a few churches where everything was fine from normal perspectives, but something was just crawling in my spirit. So if at the church in question, I would be seeking that perspective out.

But in such a situation, there are some options. Like man suggested, sit back and observe. Like Botz suggested, communicate with the Lord about it.

Just remember that "greater is He who is in you," so you don't need to be afraid in any sense of the word. Thus, if you do decide to leave, you can walk out boldly, rather than running out of there as if chased by hornets.

[MorningGlory]

If I felt the Lord led me there I would do as man said and move to the back to observe. I wouldn't be comfortable in such an atmosphere though. Dancing, singing and worshipping are fine (and normal) but what you describe...... "The result looks & sounds like the inmates of a mental institution that are off their meds and running loose around the yard." would really make me want to run out of there!

[Believer1997]

I've been to that church!!!! Yes - I agree with 'man' and others - I would observe quietly. I have a bit of an issue with the minister saying "Let's worship the Lord" and immediate bedlam breaks out... I didn't feel like it was the work of the Holy Spirit but of individuals doing what they thought they should be doing. I found this particular environment confusing and chaotic and it did nothing but make me uncomfortable. I don't think one can turn the Holy Spirit on and off like a light switch...

I've also been in churches where the structure of the service was so strictly defined that it was uncomfortable and forced.

[south]

For me it would depend on a few things.

If you are in a foreign country (non-Western), how much of what they are doing is their cultural expression?

The other thing, for me, is a spiritual discernment issue. I can "feel" atmospheres. I've been to a few churches where everything was fine from normal perspectives, but something was just crawling in my spirit. So if at the church in question, I would be seeking that perspective out.

But in such a situation, there are some options. Like man suggested, sit back and observe. Like Botz suggested, communicate with the Lord about it.

Just remember that "greater is He who is in you," so you don't need to be afraid in any sense of the word. Thus, if you do decide to leave, you can walk out boldly, rather than running out of there as if chased by hornets.

I agree with Nebula. If in a foreign country, it can be a matter of cultural expression too. I lived in Bogota, Colombia for 4 and a half years and in the church I went to, the praise and worship part of the service is always lively and festive, especially when they sing praise songs. They clap, they sing, they dance, they jump. But you can really feel the Holy Spirit moving. It was awesome!

I come to South Africa and attend church and compared to what I had gotten used to in South America, the people here are at the other end of the pole. They don't even clap, they just stand there and stare at the screen as they sing. They are pretty stiff (sorry Fez ). But then I got the opportunity to attend a prayer meeting in a black community, wow, they are as festive as the Colombians when they do their praise and worship. They can sing three words (Thank you Jesus) over and over again in a way that can give you goosebumps.

I have also attended a few churches in the USA when I visited friends. In the Calvary Church I went to, the people also just stand and stare at the screen, more like in our church here.

I come from the Philippines and there, people are also very expressive when they have their praise and worship, but not as expressive as the Colombians but more expressive than the South Africans I have seen.

I also had the chance to visit churches in South Korea. Depending on the church, some churches did only hymns so it was very serious. But we went to more modern churches, and they were very expressive in their worship as well.

So to answer your question, do not depend on outward appearances, but pray for discernment.

Blessings...South

[~Shalhevet~]

If I felt uncomfortable...I would leave.

[Rick-Parker]

I'm out of there!