In our houses of worship, we should have nothing more or less than is specified by scripture, such as aides to worship. ~Joe Morecraft
Joe Morecraft, in his book on how to worship God, is concerned about Billy Graham style alter calls, visual aids like slideshows of mountains and scenery flashing by or visual aids of people raising their hand to help you feel like worshiping.
Joe Morecraft, in his book on how to worship God, is concerned about Billy Graham style alter calls, visual aids like slideshows of mountains and scenery flashing by or visual aids of people raising their hand to help you feel like worshiping.
From 1660 to 1688 in Scotland, over 18,000 Presbyterian men, women and children--whole families and congregations--were brutally tortured and murdered at the hands of the bloody Stuart kings for one reason: they would not submit to the king's liturgies and inventions in their worship services. p.44 How God Wants Us to Worship Him by Joe Morecraft, III
What about the Zionists with a Jewish flag and a menorah on the communion table?
The Church is universal. We should not have an American or any other flag. It is made up of every tribe, tongue and nation. Christianity crosses the political boundaries. It is the Church that is pressing against the gates that will prevail against the enemy.
EM Bounds, who wrote the Power of Prayer, refused to take the Union loyalty oath and was thrown into a Northern Prison in Missouri for saying the Federal government is not over the Church. Christ alone is over His Church.
In churches, we often see a slideshow along with the words to songs. A worship team with women up front for us to watch as we worship doesn't really help.
We were surprised to see girls dancing on stage in white dresses one Resurrection Sunday at Grandma’s church.
8 comments:
What exactly does the new testament say about worship? Did they really meet on Sundays only, and have a pastor teach them for an hour? I've sort of wondered about that actually.
I agree. It really grieves me when I see churches saluting the flag and singing the national anthem with their hands on their heart during a church service.
I see nothing wrong with a simple cross hung on the wall to show it is a house of worship to Christ.
I tend to agree with Stacey, that a simple cross (plain) could be a valid reminder and acceptable. However, the usual multitude of "Christian" trinkets and decor is so distracting from true spiritual worship. An American flag has no place in the building, it grieves me, especially when visitors from other nations enter. The people of God are a distinct holy nation. And that silly thing they call "the Christian flag", I don't know where that came from.
Seppis: I agree, there is no place for altar calls or scenery displays as commonly shown behind lyrics. Very distracting. However, anyone distracted by lifted hands has a problem they need to get over: Neh 8:6, Ps 28:2, 63:4, Lam 3:11, 1 Tim 2:8. It's a valid gesture of worship.
Joe is referring to visual aids of people raising their hands.
In churches, we often see a slideshow along with the words to songs. A worship team with women up front for us to watch as we worship doesn't really help.
It does sound like a form of emotional manipulation. Puts new meaning on "hired hands"!
When Church becomes a production we often lose the true message.
Post a Comment