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 Why are our services so predictable? |
FLRon |
Pentecostal church services tend to follow a very predictable pattern. I've been in a number of churches over the past 40 years,and all of them follow the pattern listed here:
- opening welcome or prayer
- singing or praise and worship
- offering
- more praise and worship
- preach the word
- prayer time
- go home
Realizing of course that there will be variables such as communion or some other "event". What I'm wondering is whether or not this predictability is how church is supposed to be?
Discounting the insanity that passes for "church" with the likes of Bentley and Bethel, have Pentecostals become too regimented and predictable? Is there an opportunity for the Spirit to move any longer? Thoughts?
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“Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”
Voddie Baucham |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 787
7/6/17 4:08 pm
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Quiet Wyatt |
I think a big part of it is because people in general tend to be predictable, and religious people seem to highly value stability.
As a 4th gen Pentecostal pastor, it seems to me that, unless the Spirit really shows up and moves mightily through the manifestation of the charismata, or perhaps you have a very flamboyant musician or preacher leading the service, you have to have some kind of basic plan to go by for your services. I suppose we could all go back to the way the early Quakers worshipped, and just sit still and wait for the Spirit to speak through somebody. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 12817
7/6/17 7:02 pm
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Cojak |
I think many of the generation following my generation in the COG, became a little leery of what we all saw as 'WILD FIRE' and many times it was very apparent. Back then we chided all the Baptist and 'formal religious denominations' because of their 'formality.'
The church was so concerned about 'SISTER Brown or Bro. Charles 'getting started' that a 'form' felt better.
I remember two people, a brother and a sister who practically held a 'FourSquare church' Hostage, because of the many messages in tongues and their interpretations, it practically split the church.
I do miss the times when the spirit took charge and we rejoiced because we were HIS Sheep.
My question is what do you guys as pastors see as a problem with a 'program?'
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24285
7/6/17 7:37 pm
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| Re: Why are our services so predictable? |
Nature Boy Florida |
| FLRon wrote: | Pentecostal church services tend to follow a very predictable pattern. I've been in a number of churches over the past 40 years,and all of them follow the pattern listed here:
- opening welcome or prayer
- singing or praise and worship
- offering
- more praise and worship
- preach the word
- prayer time
- go home
Realizing of course that there will be variables such as communion or some other "event". What I'm wondering is whether or not this predictability is how church is supposed to be?
Discounting the insanity that passes for "church" with the likes of Bentley and Bethel, have Pentecostals become too regimented and predictable? Is there an opportunity for the Spirit to move any longer? Thoughts? |
What;s wrong with a plan - an order of service?
If God interrupts the normal flow - fine.
If you want to plan a "move of the Spirit" - go ahead and add that in - let us know how that works out.
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Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, because its the best thing going today! |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 16646
7/6/17 8:12 pm
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| Perhaps |
brotherjames |
| You might actually allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your services. If you think Bethel is crazy then you have never seen crazy and maybe that's the problem. Cojak has it right. In our desire to be accepted we therefore rejected and pushed away what SOME saw as Wild Fire and now you don't have ANY FIRE. Just a thought. |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 935
7/6/17 9:20 pm
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| Re: Perhaps |
THE LOVE OF GOD |
| brotherjames wrote: | | You might actually allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your services. If you think Bethel is crazy then you have never seen crazy and maybe that's the problem. Cojak has it right. In our desire to be accepted we therefore rejected and pushed away what SOME saw as Wild Fire and now you don't have ANY FIRE. Just a thought. |
I think you are right. I think we need a form but ALWAYS allow for God to take control. I have seen Him do it. Look how our churches grew 5o years ago. God's power was very real in the services. Conviction brought sinners to repentance and people were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost and on fire for God. They in turn, witnessed and won souls to the kingdom of God. When God is moving - give Him complete control. He can do more in 2 minutes than we can do in a 3 song, offering, special and teaching/preaching. |
Friendly Face
Posts: 387
7/7/17 1:10 am
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Cojak |
I have heard the statement, "Better wild fire than no fire." Even when said I don't think the author or speaker really meant that in reality. Just a burning desire for SOME FIRE (or Spirit display).
I do not doubt that there have been sincere folks who could not wait on the Spirit of God, and thought He needed some help and so they gave a faux tongues/interpretation to spur things on. Many well meaning folk.
But then there are those who create a 'wild fire' that consumes the good and bad as the name projects, Wild fires are NOT good. 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24285
7/7/17 9:21 am
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Cojak |
Most Pentecostals have known, seen or been part of a church that was a Shout and 'display' every time the church doors opened. The Word was seldom delivered. I remember the statement very vividly, "We had a great service tonight, the preacher could not preach." NOT a BAD thing, unless it is every service and no instruction in His Word is ever administered.
Now that is not gospel of course, just an opinion. I got to know and love a wonderful 4SQ preacher, Brother (DR) Aldridge long time pastor in Belmont, NC.
He told me, if the Lord has laid a message on my heart, it will be delivered. 
_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011
Posts: 24285
7/7/17 9:26 am
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| Re: Why are our services so predictable? |
FLRon |
| Nature Boy Florida wrote: | | FLRon wrote: | Pentecostal church services tend to follow a very predictable pattern. I've been in a number of churches over the past 40 years,and all of them follow the pattern listed here:
- opening welcome or prayer
- singing or praise and worship
- offering
- more praise and worship
- preach the word
- prayer time
- go home
Realizing of course that there will be variables such as communion or some other "event". What I'm wondering is whether or not this predictability is how church is supposed to be?
Discounting the insanity that passes for "church" with the likes of Bentley and Bethel, have Pentecostals become too regimented and predictable? Is there an opportunity for the Spirit to move any longer? Thoughts? |
What;s wrong with a plan - an order of service?
If God interrupts the normal flow - fine.
If you want to plan a "move of the Spirit" - go ahead and add that in - let us know how that works out. |
Obviously a "plan" is necessary. My point is that the "plan" seems to have supplanted the Spirit. Of course I don't want wild fire or whatever you want to call it. I also don't want bro. and sis. so and so to take over a service. Been there, done all of that and much more.
There has to be a balance between the "plan" and a free movement of the Spirit, and in many churches there is an imbalance towards the plan,leaving little,or no opportunity for the Spirit to move. These are my observations, hopefully yours differ in a positive manner.
_________________
“Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”
Voddie Baucham |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 787
7/7/17 1:56 pm
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FLRon |
| Cojak wrote: | Most Pentecostals have known, seen or been part of a church that was a Shout and 'display' every time the church doors opened. The Word was seldom delivered. I remember the statement very vividly, "We had a great service tonight, the preacher could not preach." NOT a BAD thing, unless it is every service and no instruction in His Word is ever administered.
Now that is not gospel of course, just an opinion. I got to know and love a wonderful 4SQ preacher, Brother (DR) Aldridge long time pastor in Belmont, NC.
He told me, if the Lord has laid a message on my heart, it will be delivered. |
Good point. Back in Ohio I had a man tell me their pastor had not got to preach for six weeks due to the Spirit taking over. This was in a Mountain Assembly church of God. I asked him if he knew what "Spirit" that was.
_________________
“Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”
Voddie Baucham |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 787
7/7/17 1:59 pm
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