Do you like being told how to worship? (Full Version)

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Beanteaser -> Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 11:28:23 AM)

Maybe it's because I don't like being told what to do, but one of my pet peeves is being told how to worship God. I think it's important for many to be encouraged to worship God, but I don't think we should be told "raise your hands and worship Him" or phrases similar. I think people should worship God however they want whether it be by kneeling, jumping, raising hands, dancing, etc.

Agree/Disagree?

Okay, now I need advice. My old pastor resigned several months ago. I don't recall him ever telling anyone how to worship but still encouraged us to worship Him daily. (which I think is good) The interim pastor was good but ALWAYS told us to raise our hands. This started to bother me and even discussed this with another member of the church. I told him that I don't think I could attend a church where I am told how to worship God. He agreed with me but we both decided to wait until we find a new pastor. The new pastor is similar in how he tells people how to worship. What do I do? Leave the church? Talk to the pastor? Am I in the wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!



loco79 -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 11:52:11 AM)

Beanteaser

I would look up in scripture, and see how Jesus tells us to worship. From there I would see if the new pastor following the way you feel is best for the worship of Christ. And if he follows your views on what is acceptable then I might consider staying. If what he is teaching is something that you just cant come to grips with then, maybe you have to move on. I have a feeling that you already know if the pastor teaches to your style of worship. Just remember that Jesus does tell us how to worship, and as long as you feel his is keepng in line with him, and what you are used to.



JimboFletch -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 12:09:41 PM)

Beanteaser, I'm with you. I do not appreciate a puppet-master calling out moves on how I should worship and adore my Lord and Savior. Everyone is not geared the same way in how we do that but some people think everyone is either just like them or they aren't participating in worship.

I appreciate my church the way it is now where people are encouraged to express themselves outwardly as much or as little as they are inclined.



MrFribbles -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 12:16:23 PM)

I once attended a Palm Sunday service at a church where they told us to wave palms. ...As in, the palms of our hands, because hey, they were also palms, right? I know it wasn't right of me, but I had to fight back the urge to laugh. And it bothered me, not only because they were doing something so very silly (in my view, anyhow), but because, as you've said, they were insisting that everyone do the same.
I don't see any Scripture that dictates what our outward actions must be during a praise worship session. I'm not sure if I would leave your church over what you're going through, but I would encourage you to talk with your pastor at let him know how you feel about this.



Beanteaser -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 12:25:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: loco79
I would look up in scripture, and see how Jesus tells us to worship.


Great Point! One verse that came to mind was John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."

I think this is why I have a problem with being told how to worship. If I raise my hands because I am told to, then I am not worshiping God truthfully.



Beanteaser -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 12:26:37 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

Beanteaser, I'm with you. I do not appreciate a puppet-master calling out moves on how I should worship and adore my Lord and Savior. Everyone is not geared the same way in how we do that but some people think everyone is either just like them or they aren't participating in worship.

I appreciate my church the way it is now where people are encouraged to express themselves outwardly as much or as little as they are inclined.


I knew we would agree on something! [;)]



IMA_CHRISTIAN -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 3:06:30 PM)

I have gone to many churches where there is an almost constant stream of "turn to your neighbor and tell him _______________ (fill in the blank).. which I decided one day i would not do it just because he said it, and especially when i didn't feel i agreed with what he was teling me to tell my neighbor. (neighbor being the person next to you in church).



fantom -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 4:49:31 PM)

I have never felt like it was a command but an encouragement to do something. If you have never raised your hand in praise, don't be hindered to do it. Some people who are new to that kind of thing may think there is a prescriptive on how/when to do things. It comes across in my church, and most I have visited, that you should do as you are comfortable but it's good to do this. I have never seen anyone called aside for not or even been looked at as disobedient.

I am very comfortable raising my hands, it's how I was raised but I am not comfortable dancing so I don't. Maybe that's just me.



bluestone -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 4:54:09 PM)

I refuse to do it.
I had a music leader once that would shout out instructions, and tell us to turn to the person next to us and say "good morning, beautiful!"[8|]



JimboFletch -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 4:57:44 PM)

quote:

I have never seen anyone called aside for not or even been looked at as disobedient.

Neither have I. But I have been put on the spot by things like IMA_CHRISTIAN mentioned.

"Turn to the person on your right and tell them, 'I love you, you are special to me, and I'm glad you're my friend!'"

I may not know the person, I might not even like them, or they may not be more than an acquaintance, much less a "friend." And if I DON'T turn and say what the preacher or whomever said to do so? I sending the message that I don't care about that person and/or I'm being rebellious/cantankerous. (Both may be true, but I prefer not to broadcast it. KWIM?

I encourage people that I love, admire, respect, and appreciate. I think it's hypocritical to parrot encouragement just because someone with a microphone says to do so.



csl7037 -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 6:18:35 PM)

I remember hearing once in a teaching on worship that this is done sometimes in corporate worship because of something having to do with agreement and the leading of the Holy Spirit in what the Lord wants to see and wants to do in that service. Not sure that ever really made sense to me but I do remember being "taught" that somewhere along the way.



rcjames -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 6:57:20 PM)

I don't mind being told how to worship, Jesus told us;

(Joh 4:23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

So I worship[ in Spirit and in truth.


Thanks
RC



ddave12000 -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 8:20:08 PM)

I'm not a huge hand raiser or hand clapper generally, and usually when the worship leader calls out for these I view it as a suggestion as I see lots of other people who also don't immediately raise their hands. I don't think it's a big deal either way.

I have though, been present at a few worship experiences that were powerful and I felt compelled to engage in what the leader was encouraging us to do. At those times, when it was an entire body of people engaging in unison - for example all holding hands and praying or singing a song it was powerful. It was some of the strongest corporate worship I have been a part of. I guess usually for me it's more individual even though I'm in a larger group of people. I'm a bit of an introvert.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 8:55:15 PM)

Where I used to attend, they would, on rare occasion, say these things, because we were taught not to do such things unless we were asked to do so corporately. I thought they were the only ones like that, so this is interesting.

The thing that I wonder about, though, my friend, Teaser, is why you discussed it with another person in the congregation first? Why not simply ask the new pastor about it? It just seems that, while you may not have intended it, you may have caused division by this action.



bluestone -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 8:57:20 PM)

I have bursitis in both shoulders, so when they say "everyone join hands and lift them in the air"
I go to the bathroom, or risk screaming with pain.

of course, some would think I was very spiritual if I screamed.[:D]



CoeurdeLeon_ -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 9:03:28 PM)

Well, I sit and stand when they tell me to.[8D]

No, I wouldn't like that. I haven't ever experienced it but I'm not a marionette and I assume God would prefer an honest outward expression of praise rather than me just doing what I'm told when I'm told to do it whether it's what I happen to want to do at the moment or not.

But maybe that's just me.[&:]



csl7037 -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 9:04:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: bluestone

I have bursitis in both shoulders, so when they say "everyone join hands and lift them in the air"
I go to the bathroom, or risk screaming with pain.

of course, some would think I was very spiritual if I screamed.[:D]


LOL, I had a shoulder injury a while back and I can so relate. Some would really think you're just way in the Spirit! Too funny.



drfuss -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/29/2008 9:46:54 PM)

drfuss: Wow, this thread brings back memories. Many years ago, I was in a church where the Evangelist actually pointed at you if you did not raise you hands when he told everyone to.

Personally, I only raise my hands in church when I am praising the Lord during a worship song and feel prompted by the Spirit to do so. If someone told me to raise my hands, I would not do so.

I used to attend a church where many people would raise their hands because they were apparently taught that was the position to be in to worship the Lord. For example, our church used to be on TV and a lady from my previous church said that she did not know that people praised the Lord in our Baptist Church. When asked why she said that, she said she saw some raising their hands, so they must have been praising the Lord. She assumed that when people didn't raise their hands in church, they were not praising the Lord.

How I pray or praise the lord in church or in my private devotions is no one elses business unless I disturb some one else in doing so.



Zhi -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 1:10:18 AM)

Well, I would agree that I'm not terribly into lifting my hands or what have you either, usually I'll ignore the directive if it's given and no one has ever gotten on my case. But I'm also considering the fact that we're okay with the fact that we're being instructed on exactly what to say (sing) at the same time via overhead projector or hymnals/song sheets, and people don't really seem to have an issue with that (though granted it does help in the prevention of chaos I'm sure).



MrFribbles -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 1:21:02 AM)

quote:

But I'm also considering the fact that we're okay with the fact that we're being instructed on exactly what to say (sing) at the same time via overhead projector or hymnals/song sheets, and people don't really seem to have an issue with that (though granted it does help in the prevention of chaos I'm sure).


Actually, heh, I sometimes do. Truthfully, I don't agree with some of the songs my church chooses to sing in its worship services. When that happens, I abstain from that particular song. I try not to make it noticeable, though... No need to draw attention to myself, ya' know?



musicboss11 -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 4:29:42 AM)

I admit it. I'm a rebel. During worship, I sit when I want to sit, and stand when I want to stand. I also raise my hands when I want to, and when I don't want to I don't.



bluestone -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 8:34:19 AM)

I don't like pastors saying things like : If that doesn't start your fire, your wood is wet".[8|]

So If I am not an emotional person, and what you just said or sang does not make me shout and holler, I am not spiritual?

good grief![>:]

Fact is, church is becoming a place where people are judged by how much movement and noise they make, and a worship leader or pastor is considered no good if they can't rally the congregation into thinking they are at a ballgame instead of church.[&:]



JimboFletch -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 8:42:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: bluestone

I have bursitis in both shoulders, so when they say "everyone join hands and lift them in the air"
I go to the bathroom, or risk screaming with pain.

of course, some would think I was very spiritual if I screamed.[:D]

That brings up something else I'm not crazy about: Being told to grab the hand of the person next to you for prayer. I'm sorry, but that, among other things, distracts me FROM prayer, especially if one of them is some distance.

Against my better judgment, I accepted the outstretched arm of a man across an aisle a few Sundays back. Two minutes into the prayer my arm and shoulder hurt some badly that I had no idea what was being prayed - except for mine that the leader (who was in a very comfy position) would shut up very, very soon.



CoeurdeLeon_ -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 8:48:30 AM)

It all sounds like a bunch of form over function. The leader wants it to look like something whether or not it really is that thing.



kernsfamily -> RE: Do you like being told how to worship? (7/30/2008 9:34:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: musicboss11

I admit it. I'm a rebel. During worship, I sit when I want to sit, and stand when I want to stand. I also raise my hands when I want to, and when I don't want to I don't.


ME TOO!

And, one time we were at this "revival" kind of thing at some other church quite a while back....and, the guy was up there telling everyone "all heads bowed, all eyes closed, etc....", but I kept my head up high, and eyes opened.....

meanwhile, that guy was going ON and ON about all the hands being raised throughout the room (in response to the "invitation" and his "message").....and while looking around, there may have been one or two raised, and i thought to myself, "what a farce this guy is"...

iam not a 'hand raiser' or a 'hand clapper'....



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