When did Worship become more important than Bible??

[Martha]

When did Worship become more important than Bible??

When did "signs" become more important than the turth of the Word?

Why do Pentecostals stink this stuff up like meth addicts??

Again: Worship and signs seem to be the trump card, and the Bible is now toilet paper.

Therefore Benny Hinn can preach praying "thy will be done" is a "never ever" do and "faith destroying" AND IT"S OKAY.

Joyce Meyer can say if you don't believe Jesus was tormented in Hell you can't be saved....AND IT's OKAY.

Fred K Price can say "the thief on the cross" could have died for your sins and IT'S OKAY.

Todd Bentley can see dead people, extra-Biblical angels, claim the angel of a man who equated the word of Go to the Zodiac and IT'S OKAY.


WHY!?

Gerald, Maybe it's because that's what pentecostals grew up with. I remember evangelists telling me to "stir them up, sister" and knowing that what they wanted was some fast, flag waving, foot stomping, marching music so they could say what a good service it had been and they didn't even have to preach.

The music has always been the draw in pentecostal churches. I sat recently in my supervisor's office and listened as he shared about attending a baptist church that was next to a COGOP (Pastor Gary's home church.) When he was growing up in the "70's he would slip out and stand outside and listen to the music at the COGOP.

I remember one evangelist (many years ago) who preached a message about a visit to Heaven. It was the most absurd thing I'd ever heard. More like a fairy tale, nothing scriptural at all. What troubled me was that not one person said anything about it not being scriptural and he was allowed to continue the same thing the next night. Of course I was taught that you didn't question the minister. He was right up there next to God! If something like that happened today I assure you I would have questioned it! I refuse to listen to such garbage. That's why I don't listen to TV preachers.

I guess my point is that historically pentecostals have looked for the big shout and it was the measure of the move of God. What can we expect when the people have been trained to look for that as the mark of "truth." I think that no matter how much the people shout, run the isles, or whatever, the minister should present the message. Maybe a few Sunday mornings of being held until after noon to hear the message might end some of the "wild fire."

Well, that's my 2 cents worth! Carry on Gerald. I almost always agree with you!

[dbserv]

Why are some of you "preachers" continuing to see it as a them vs. us situation.

It is NOT "worship" (as in the music) vs. the WORD.


The "WORSHIP EXPERIENCE" should be a continuous flow from the first note to the last prayer. There should be no break in the flow that hinders the "worship experience".

We usually open with 1/2 songs (depending on length) to allow people to come in from the foyer and get settled. Then we greet one another (to make sure all visitors feel welcomed) and have our announcements followed by the offering. During the offering we sing another song to bring us back into focus on the Lord and from that point on, there is NO break to distract us from the Lord/Word.

The service flows from one thing to another without distraction. This includes baby dedications, baptisms, soloists (no "testimonies" when you get up to sing - we do those as a separate video section of the service), choir song, etc.




Perhaps some of you could try to see the music as the method to bring us into a closeness with God to perpare our hearts to hear the Word instead of seeing it as a competition for the people's attention.



I get tired of those who knock large churches because they "must be diluting the Word or people wouldn't be there. Or, "the people are only there for the music" and they suffer through the Word to have that.



You can have BOTH and you can have it WITHOUT competition and WITHOUT diluting the Word. We DO and we continue to grow. Many (definitely not all) large churches that I have been in are in the same situation.


Our pastor preaches more "holiness" and holy living, in a 6 week series than many pentecostal churches "preach" all year.




Okay, I've vented enough. Back to the sidelines for now.

[stevenson]

The "WORSHIP EXPERIENCE" should be a continuous flow from the first note to the last prayer. There should be no break in the flow that hinders the "worship experience".

Your right! Actually worship should be a lifestyle! But I think Gerald was using the word worship in the context of "time set aside to sing praises". I could be wrong. We'll have to wait for his reply.

[dbserv]

The "WORSHIP EXPERIENCE" should be a continuous flow from the first note to the last prayer. There should be no break in the flow that hinders the "worship experience".

Your right! Actually worship should be a lifestyle! But I think Gerald was using the word worship in the context of "time set aside to sing praises". I could be wrong. We'll have to wait for his reply.

I understand that is what he was saying.

He's the one who drew a line between "worship" and the "Bible". I don't believe that line can exist in TRUE worship.

I can see that I may take some hits for saying "worship experience". Since I am NAZ, ya'll know that "experience" to us is NOT an emotional time of dancing and shouting "in the spirit". So, take it easy on me. I should have thought of a better word to use.



Anyway, I'll stand with what I've already said and not beat the horse, like I usually do.




BTW: I agree that worship should be a lifestyle and should NOT just be when we are in church.

[stevenson]

And your absolutely right in what you said. And I think what you said is the much bigger problem.

[Gerald Creasy]

Your right! Actually worship should be a lifestyle! But I think Gerald was using the word worship in the context of "time set aside to sing praises". I could be wrong. We'll have to wait for his reply.

I use the word Worship in the context of how it was used recently here:

It didnt matter that Todd Bentley sees dead people, sees non-biblical angels, claims the "angel" of a man who equated Gods word with the zodiac, or even sprigboarded his revival with the ministry of a certified charlatain......Jennifer said the worship was wondeful!!!!