The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum What Kind of Music is in Your Church?

I think Denny is over reacting and/or over-generalizing to somethings he has seen and/or experienced, which in my own experience are quite true. Raising one's hands in a worship service isn't necessarily the beginning of the end. But neither can it be said that the things you describe and would like to see more of in your dead Dutch congregation(s) are necessarily "Spirit driven". As I've mentioned before, I am more than familiar with the "staid" demeanor of the old-school Dutch Reformed Churches. And within those churches there are those who put on an air of what they consider and want others to perceive as piety. And in those congregations which encourage "free-expression of the 'Spirit'", there are those who do likewise with their outward mannerisms, e.g., raising and waving hands, uttering the accepted phraseology such as "thank you Lord, thank you Jesus", "praise you Jesus . . . ala: mantra", etc. ad nauseam.

In other words, the things you would like to see take place in the congregation you deem "dead" are not necessarily and more than likely are NOT "Spirit-driven" but are only considered and perceived by YOU and so many others who allow and/or practice them, as being "Spirit-driven", when in fact the vast majority of churches where you find such antics are full of unregenerate people having an emotional experience under the guise of "true spirit-filled" worship. As I also wrote before, if I was given but two choices, the "dead, sober and outwardly lifeless" worship or the modern "lively, free to express your emotions, upbeat, etc.," worship [and I do cringe when having to associate the word worship with this], I'll take the "dead" traditional version without a thought. That does NOT mean that I approve of the social pressures that exist within such congregations to conform to some ethnic "standard" of outward expression. They certainly should consider that outward appearances aren't necessarily what "acceptable/biblical" worship is, in and of itself.

Yes, there are times when a true Christian should "feel good", as you put it, but which I am more comfortable expressing it as spiritual joy; the type which the world cannot know since it is found within the soul. Remember too that this discussion topic is in regard to music "in the Church". Thus whatever music and the responses it evokes are relevant BUT what is not relevant is what you choose to do outside of the corporate gathering, e.g., dancing before the Lord, which too is regulated by God's word. It's one thing to jump for joy, but it is something altogether different to say that dancing around like a dervish is "spirit-led". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> What the Scripture says is that generally, when the people of God come together for worship they should do so with a genuine spirit of reverence, awe and godly fear. When they sing Psalms of rejoicing, then they should indeed rejoice in their hearts and thus experience true joy and gladness which should not be suppressed by a cultural tradition that prohibits one from smiling in church, etc. Nor should the organist, pianist and/or "song leader" play/lead the singing of such songs in such a way that it doesn't accord with the content of the Psalm or as it was intended to be sung; i.e., with joy and rejoicing.

Sooooooo, let's try and get back to the topic at hand, which is the type of music is found in your church. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,