Would You Allow...

[HAMel]

Let me ask you folks a question.

If someone in your church got up and wanted to contribute to the service, would you let them? Would the Church Administration allow them to do so?

To clarify a bit. You know for a fact that this individual is a Born Again Christian. You've known them for years and believe their heart to be in the right place..., would you allow them to contribute? What if they began to Testify and it became clear they were heaping glory to themselves rather than to the Lord?

What if someone wanted to bring a Tamborine to play on during your music worship? Would you allow it? What about someone wanted to play their Guitar? Banjo? Violine? Drums? What would do and how would you handle it?

What if during the sermon someone broke out supposedly Speaking in Tongues? Would you allow that? Sit by idly until they were finished or interrupt?

You know, while I am of the opinion the Charismatic sect is so far off base when it comes to understanding this Speaking in Tongues issue I do believe that many of these folks are really Born Again. Somewhere along the line they just went high and to the left.

If someone comes to you and asked if you thought a particular aspect of their life was sinful and the Bible does not specifically speak on it, what would you tell them?

I could go on but, what would you do if any of the above happened in your church?

 

[glfredrick]

This happens in virtually every church that has some semblance of life.

A wise pastor will ask to meet with the person and talk through what they propose before allowing them to present to the congregation.

 

[th1bill]

glfredrick is right on target.

 

[HAMel]

Of course he's right on target. But what if it just happened. During the song service Miss Ethel pulls her Tamborine out of her tote bag and starts shaking it all over the place?

The Pastor would discontinue the service and have a talk with her?

 

[Tom Bryant]

I agree with the 2 wise men above, however if a person started speaking in tongue in our service, I would interrupt them and ask them to sit down and be quiet.

 

[glfredrick]

Of course he's right on target. But what if it just happened. During the song service Miss Ethel pulls her Tamborine out of her tote bag and starts shaking it all over the place?

The Pastor would discontinue the service and have a talk with her?

That would be a role for a deacon.

 

[HAMel]

Okay Tom, what about Miss Ethel and her Tamborine?

 

[rbell]

Okay Tom, what about Miss Ethel and her Tamborine?

Judgment call.

Is she being disruptive? Or is her celebrative worship bothering anyone?

Does her motive seem to be more about, "Look at me, everybody!" Or is it "I'm offering praise to God...it's about Him."

I'd probably talk to her either way...but I'm hesitant to call anyone out during a service unless the distraction is a real problem, or there is something inappropriate going on.

By the way, all the members of our church's praise band have recorded before. We've talked about doing a recording together.

Now, Hamel has given me a great project name:

"Miss Ethel and her Tambourine."

 

[glfredrick]

Our church would probably be very disconcerting to many of you... We have freedom in worship. But, at the same time, we don't have people absolutely making fools of themselves in a directly un-cultural manner even though our congregation is made up of people from VERY diverse backgrounds. It would not be unusual to see someone prostrate on the floor praying or crying, someone else dancing in the aisle, another kneeling, others still standing or sitting, some crying, some laughing, etc. Oddly, there is not the level of discord that one might think. Just a brother or sister in the Lord doing what they feel is their appropriate response at the moment.

In a quick glance of testimonies I know of, we have Wiccans, Pagans, Catholics, Baptists of every stripe, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopals, Presbyterians, Church of God, Christian Church, atheists, agnostics, gays, people of every color, ethnicity, nationality, and cultural background. Some are wealthy, some are poor, many are broke. Some have or had major addictions to drugs, sex, abuse, power, religion, etc. Some have purple hair, tats, and piercings. Others wear suite and tie and are as straight-laced as they come. We are an eclectic crowd to be sure,

We are united by the Gospel and by worship of God who makes the Gospel come alive in each of us.

 

[HAMel]

rbell, glad I could help. :tongue3:

These are not trick questions in any sense of the word. I guess the point I was trying to get across is that often, churches are so straight laced that it radiates right off the marque' out front.

I could just see Deacon Bubba telling Miss Ethel, "Hey you! Yeah, you! The one making all 'da racket. Get yo' mess together and head fo' the door!" Deacon Bubba might find that Tamborine over his head and around his neck.

Certainly, any disruption during any service is not appropriate and should not be entertained especially if it's just a disruption. At the same time however are we subliminally sending the message that it's NOT ACCEPTABLE to attend our Church if you are pierced up one side and down the other with Tats all over your body all the while wearing dirty jeans and your shirt is hanging out.

I mean, didn't the Lord come to save the sinners? Sinners can be disruptive while at the same time, some good natured Born Again Christians can be just as disruptive.

Just thought I'd ask.

 

[Tom Bryant]

HAMel, you're all over the place in your questions. Dealing with Miss Ethel and dealing with a tongues speaker are at different ends of the spectrum. I imagine, that after the service Miss Ethel and the music people would have a conversation about her joining the music ministry.

I think RBell hits it right, is it being disruptive to the service. I can also imagine that GLFrederick would agree that if someone is disruptive in a service there would be steps taken to take care of the problem. What is obviously not disruptive in his church could be disruptive in another body of believers.

We have had a lady ask questions in the middle of a sermon and we try to answer them, but if the questions are way out in left field (and in her case, they are sometimes not even in the same stadium), we tend to say, 'let's talk about this later'.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

If someone in your church got up and wanted to contribute to the service, would you let them? Would the Church Administration allow them to do so?

Spontaneously? No. If they met with me beforehand, then maybe.

What if they began to Testify and it became clear they were heaping glory to themselves rather than to the Lord?

I would counsel them.

What if someone wanted to bring a Tamborine to play on during your music worship?

I can't think of any songs we sing one could accompany with a tamborine.

What about someone wanted to play their Guitar? Banjo? Violine? Drums? What would do and how would you handle it?

Not during the church service, no. However, if it was a Fifth Sunday Sing or some other special occasion, then maybe.

What if during the sermon someone broke out supposedly Speaking in Tongues? Would you allow that? Sit by idly until they were finished or interrupt?

No, I would stop them.

pqyire[You know, while I am of the opinion the Charismatic sect is so far off base when it comes to understanding this Speaking in Tongues issue I do believe that many of these folks are really Born Again. Somewhere along the line they just went high and to the left. [/quote]

Of course. You can be saved but just be wrong. Belief in speaking in tongues isn't even close to an issue that makes or breaks our salvation.

If someone comes to you and asked if you thought a particular aspect of their life was sinful and the Bible does not specifically speak on it, what would you tell them?

It depends. It's hard to say without any details, but I would probably say something like, "Well, the Bible doesn't address that specifically, but let's take a look at what the Bible does say..."

 

[HAMel]

Yes Tom..., I am all over the place as often those in the pews can be "all over the place".

Quite honestly, in my 39 years of Church attendance I'm not in remembrance of one single time where there was a disruption, excluding those "Fight Nights" otherwise knows as Business Meetings while a member of that Southern Baptist Church we attended years ago. Hey, things got so bad people started dying.

 

[revmwc]

Let me deal with them one at a time I'll bold the answers inside your quote.

Let me ask you folks a question.

If someone in your church got up and wanted to contribute to the service, would you let them?
Contribute how? If you mean by asking a question in the middle of the message to get clarity on what was said, I have stopped in the middle of a message and answered the question. If you mean like a deacon did and say "YOUR WRONG" give an example of why he believes and storms out, we keep going with the service. Had this happen.
Would the Church Administration allow them to do so? Middle of the preaching the administration is the pastor he has control of the preaching service, if it will convict someone or add too the over message then by all means, if not then the pastor should call them on it and the administration deal with it after the service.

To clarify a bit. You know for a fact that this individual is a Born Again Christian. You've known them for years and believe their heart to be in the right place..., would you allow them to contribute? Again it depends on what they want to contribute, if it edifies the church and builds up yes.

What if they began to Testify and it became clear they were heaping glory to themselves rather than to the Lord? Then call them down and make it clear you would discuss it with them later unless they stormed out like my deacon did.
What if someone wanted to bring a Tamborine to play on during your music worship? Would you allow it? What about someone wanted to play their Guitar? Banjo? Violine? Drums? What would do and how would you handle it?

The more instruments that lift praise to the Lord the better.

What if during the sermon someone broke out supposedly Speaking in Tongues? Would you allow that? Sit by idly until they were finished or interrupt? Interrupt and say we don't believe that gift is still valid please sit down and keep quite if you can't please leave and make an appointment with me (pastor) so we can discuss this.

You know, while I am of the opinion the Charismatic sect is so far off base when it comes to understanding this Speaking in Tongues issue I do believe that many of these folks are really Born Again. Somewhere along the line they just went high and to the left.

If someone comes to you and asked if you thought a particular aspect of their life was sinful and the Bible does not specifically speak on it, what would you tell them?
If you can glorify God by doing what your doing then do it, example a pastor I knew had a daughter who wanted to be a cheerleader in a public school. He told her if you can honor God by wearing a short skirt and doing the jumps then by all means you can be a cheerleader. His daughter chose not to be a cheerleader..

I could go on but, what would you do if any of the above happened in your church?

Each one needs to be dealt with on an individual basis, the above is what I would do not what everyone would do. The main thing is do as the Holy Spirit leads you and by your personal convictions.

 

[Amy.G]

Yes. We have freedom in my church to allow for the moving of the Spirit. If someone feels compelled to get up and sing something, they are allowed to. Certainly testimonies are always allowed. We are there to praise God are we not?

God does not have to follow are schedule. When He moves, we should have a willing heart to allow Him into our service. We have never had a "disruption" though. It is always done with respect.

 

[Gershom]

Let me ask you folks a question.

If someone in your church got up and wanted to contribute to the service, would you let them? Would the Church Administration allow them to do so?

To clarify a bit. You know for a fact that this individual is a Born Again Christian. You've known them for years and believe their heart to be in the right place..., would you allow them to contribute? What if they began to Testify and it became clear they were heaping glory to themselves rather than to the Lord?

What if someone wanted to bring a Tamborine to play on during your music worship? Would you allow it? What about someone wanted to play their Guitar? Banjo? Violine? Drums? What would do and how would you handle it?

What if during the sermon someone broke out supposedly Speaking in Tongues? Would you allow that? Sit by idly until they were finished or interrupt?

You know, while I am of the opinion the Charismatic sect is so far off base when it comes to understanding this Speaking in Tongues issue I do believe that many of these folks are really Born Again. Somewhere along the line they just went high and to the left.

If someone comes to you and asked if you thought a particular aspect of their life was sinful and the Bible does not specifically speak on it, what would you tell them?

I could go on but, what would you do if any of the above happened in your church?

I would follow the order found in 1 Corinthians. If someone has a word, let them speak. If someone has a song, let them play or sing. If someone has a tongue, let them speak and another interpret, if no interpretation, keep silent.

With all the things you've mentioned, it can be done decently and in order. The order doesn't always have to be typed out in the bulletin.

 

[HAMel]

With all the things you've mentioned, it can be done decently and in order. The order doesn't always have to be typed out in the bulletin.

Bingo!?!?!?!