Thursday, 03 July 2008

• Church - Having fun and feeling good

  Just some thoughts that were in my head I felt I needed to write down after reading some replies to a comment I made on one of the weblogs here at rev.  I'm not one for getting into debates/politics of different aspects of church.  I believe that everyone has a different way of living their Christian life and making it work for them.  I think different people have different standards and totally respect that.  I can't expect someone to live the way I do because perhaps certain ways of how I live will bring them down in someway spiritually and equally so in mine.  We are non of us perfect and although there are basic rules of living as a Christian (and probably even then most of us would differentiate in the meanings haha) a person cannot live my life nor me theirs.  But I felt a need to react with my own views on the comments but didn't want to start a full blown heated debate so I'm posting it on my blog so as to not 'spam' a weblogs comment page.  The comments I'm 'replying' to are in italics
  
  

  The way the church of Christ sees it, if it gets to the point where people don't want to worship unless there's some sort of "entertainment" going on, then it's wrong. And our church just doesn't do anything like that, because we don't want our members to come for the fun. Church isn't just about feeling good.

  
  

  Personally I have to say, Church should be all about feeling good. It should be about being excited for God and looking forward for what is to come. A Church is a mere gathering place for the congregation. The Church is the body of people and I'd not like to be around people who aren't looking to be feeling good in God. I'm glad I attend a church where fun is encouraged. It's not like antics are going on ALL the time, but at the same time my ministry team are always happy, joyful and laughing quite often enough. If I don't go church expecting to have a better time than I did going to a 'social' event through the week then I'd be a little disappointed. Because church should be more fun than any 'social' occasion we go to. I'm not saying church is a 'social' occasion, I'm just saying that it should be funner than one.

  
  

  When I see the ministry team becoming so caught up by the music and worship, unable to hold themselves back because God is moving then it's hard not to want that for yourself. There are times for being quiet and silent and there are also times for dancing and singing and giving God all of your praise.

  
  

  Yes, I can hear an uplifting sermon or hear the congregation sing a song (without instruments) that gives me goose bumps, but it's not always about that. Sometimes you have to hear things that don't make you feel good. The Word of God is not about entertaining. It's about teaching.

  
  

  Growing up I went to a completely different church to what I attend now. I basically grew up surrounded by many rules, regulations and a lot of fire and brim stone. I was never truly stirred in spirit by that way of teaching. The church I now attend is completely different and very uplifting. I understand that many people are affected by different ways of teaching. Personally I could never ask for better teachers than my pastors. They are the most influential, touching couple I've had the honour of meeting and knowing. They are all for fun in life. They have a passion for living that comes for God and strenuously work to teach and show people how amazing he is. That isn't to say they don't sometimes bring a harsh word to say to get people back on track. That comes with the job description, they have to admonish as well as encourage. But I also find myself crying with laughter through some of the ministry because it's taught in a light, touching, positive way. I learn from that and find myself more encouraged and willing to try harder, because I want to catch on to that vision that my ministry team brings. I could not ask for better, more encouraging loving leaders who want nothing more than to see their church thrive in their spiritual walks.

  
  

  Also, it's not about how we want to worship God. It's about how God wants us to worship him. In reverence.What is reverent about clapping, or dancing, or waving your hands in the air, or special performances?

  
  

  I couldn't imagine going to church and not clapping, raising my hands in praise, jumping up and down shouting hallelujah (most of the time I have to kick off my heels, I should really remember to wear flats!). It's all done in praise to God, I'm not doing it to impress anyone or even because of whatever is going on at the front of the church in the praise and worship time. And there are moments where I am so touched by the Holy Spirit that I am still and silent reaching out to him and letting him work in me. There are also times when I've been so touched by the Holy Spirit that I've fallen into joyful laughter that cannot be stopped. It's an amazing feeling to suddenly be so filled that you cannot hold in the joy of God and yet have no idea where the laughter is coming from or why. There are times when there's no music, no singing just people reaching out to God speaking out, praising, praying, speaking in tongues, being silent, just doing whatever they are stirred inside to do.

  
  

  I've been to churches where it hasn't been encouraged to not jump about and dance/clap/raise your hands even and have felt very uncomfortable in such situations. But then it could be working for someone in their spiritual life and who am I to question it? As much as I'm uncomfortable and unable to be touched spiritually in those situations they may be equally uncomfortable in the way my church and the worship/ ministry team works.

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

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