Congregational Worship

A couple of days ago, I posted a comment on Congregational Worship on the SYM Thread as encouragement for a couple of friends there. However, since then, it has remained in my mind and on my heart. Because of that, I decided to make it a Thread of its own.

I will post the "comment" from "SYM" next....and then I want to expand on that comment also.

(comment from SYM)

The purpose of Congregational Worship IS NOT to save souls or spread the Gospel. It IS for the purpose of Christians to fellowship, learn and grow in their life walks with Jesus. To be "fed" and "nourished" with the Gospel of Jesus. It is not for the purpose of "outreach programs." Nor is it for "witnessing" to the world, or the teaching of Denominational Ideologies.

A lot of people do not understand the purpose and value of Congregational Worship in the Church. I believe that is why so many are unfulfilled with attending Congregational Worship. Sadly, some Pastors, Deacons and Elders do not understand this as well.

All one has to do is remember what Jesus instructed Peter to do.

"FEED MY SHEEP"

Congregational Service should be constructed around worshiping and praising God in song, prayer, and the spoken word. Through this manner, are Christians "fed", "encouraged" and strengthened against the evil of the world.

Congregational Worship is vital to all Christians as a source of fellowship and maturing in their life walk with Jesus. It is important to find a Congregation and Pastor that understands this, and one that the person believes they are being fed, encouraged, and instructed. Not saying it is easy, but am saying one should never "give up" on Congregational Worship, for it is how God intended His children to be "fed."

Expanding on the above comment: Congregational worship may well be for the Church, but it is ALSO an OPEN worship service. Because of that, there may well be unsaved people in the audience.

Sometimes Church members may invite family or friends to Church with them, and these family/friends may not be saved. As well, there are times when a person may come into a Worship Service for whatever reason. These may come in from off the street on a whim, or maybe they are being drawn there by the Holy Spirit.

In this instance, Congregational Worship Services DO become an opportunity for the Pastor to preach of Gods Salvation Plan, and for the Church members to witness to those in attendance that are not saved.

This is one good reason for the Pastor to offer an "Alter Call" at the end of the Service. However, Alter Calls are NOT ONLY to give the unsaved an opportunity to respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit. As a rule, Elders of the Congregation will gather around the person seeking salvation and lay on hands and pray over them seeking God to pour out His saving grace upon this person.

Alter Calls also serve as an opportunity for Members who have some special burden on their hearts to go to the Alter and kneel down and take their burdens directly to the Throne of God. Alter Calls are also an opportunity for Members who are sick or injured to pray to God for their physical healing. Members may, and most often do gather around the ill/injured and lay on hands, and pray over them in agreement seeking Gods healing touch.

The Alter is a Holy place of healing. Both Spiritual and Physical!

Another worship worshipper.......

People who crave attention, and like to play an instrument or sing, get on stage in highly produced numbers with precision professional video editing, cue spot light and zoom in as Trevor shreds his axe in a solo for Christ


I say hogwash, it's people craving attention, getting on stage, and saying look at me

Corporate worship, playing all the modern hits, and a couple of secular songs for the unsaved, has no business in the gathering

Our model for the gathering, Acts, shares how we are to gather, and praise and worship isn't in it ( it titlates the flesh and manipulates emotions, so the preachers love it as a useful tool)

Acts 2
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Oh yea, worship leaders commanding us to clap for Jesus or lift our hands up is fake and manipulation, not authentic, but done to give the appearance that they are effective.

What a troll u b..........you aren't even creative, just dumb

Proof is in the posting

You had to go back through numerous pages to find this Thread I authored to find something you could take a whack at me about..........Thread last shown November 2021

U B A TROLL

wee, little troll though

Hey everyone, take note; we cant read past page one of threads and post on anything, no matter how ridiculous


Heh, you act like every soy boy worship dude I've come across in church

Look at me, Im so creative, my gift of the spirit is playin' guitar (worship not mentioned as a gifting of the spirit)

Anyone hearing such as "commands" doesn't understand. It's called encouragement.

Kindly don't broadbrush your criticisms of some individuals onto all church musicians. People craving attention should have no place on the music team, or on any leadership team. A worshipful heart, willingness, and musical ability are the requirements on any team I've known.

Where in Acts is it stated that this is the model for corporate worship? Nowhere. Don't make doctrine from narrative.

I encourange to open ones heart to the calling of the Spirit; not to clap your hands and sing for Jesus ; generations of spirit filled discerning Christians are concerned with the pedestal worship has been placed, even idolized; the words and the meanings of what is being proffered s 'worship' cant tell if they are singing to a lover or the King of Kings
Most of modern worship elicits a fleshly response, like the world

millions of discerning Christians cant be wrong about the state of what passes for worship these days and how much it has been elevated, even over the reading of the word
Gateway Church
Elevation Church
Hillsong
Bethel Church

the list goes on and on and on

The new church celebrity worship team

That's what every (or most) modern churches team is shooting for

Where in Acts does it mention any type of 'corporate' worship in a cathedral or temple ? It doesn't, its small house chuches, breaking bread and listening to the teachings of Jesus passed on through the apostles; no jokes to warm up the croud, cute allegories and anecdotes, pictures of the preachers families, that's the model of the current church in America; just like a fast food franchise, they are all identical
Coffee shop check
Book store selling Beth Moore and Rob Bell books check

Jesus would go crazy, but then , we already have a letter from him about the state of our days church
; Jesus isn't even in their midst ....not me saying it, He is saying it
Revelation 3
14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning # 3:14 Or the ruler, or the source. of God’s new creation:

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Why is it that so many want to pass judgment on all local churches based on those mega churches that are only a very small percentage of local churches? Just shows they are ignorant of what is really taking place in most local churches.
Many people that refuse to gather with a local church seem to be those who want to be the center of attention and when that does not happen they start making excuses as to why not to attend.

Touche ! Believe me I examine myself and my motives daily and pray that my motives are pure and discernment of that which is of the flesh

No one here critizes Jesus for tearing up the money changers; David said he burned with righteous zeal; cant others have that same zeal and do it under disernment of the Spirit ? I believe God is waiting for His church, the very very small remnant we are told it will be, to stand up and proclaim truth in His name and what He thinks of what the modern church has become (prophesied to happen in Revelation and Timothy and Peter0

Yet the father of lies whispers in our ears that, proclaiming truth in what offends God, is divisive behaviour and we shouldnt do it, we should all live in unity despite what any congregation might believe, do or say

When the heart witnesses lifting holy hands in praise to the Father, it is a joyous and holy act.

oh you have the devil being responsible for your own persuasions in varying threads here. what you really mean. is we should all live according to you...but I digress

you sound jealous. people are just not jumping on board with your little rants and anger.

on the other hand, I agree about the fact that actual worship is few and far between when a group up front is imitating the way the godless world acts...complete with looks and smoke machines and drums pounding as if calling people to war (we are already in it)

for that matter, if one cares to examine many very old hymns, they will find expressions that are not at all biblical....

NONE of that however, gives you license to dump on people the way you do

you loose any audience you may have had here, as you do not discuss....you rant and accuse people while underestimating them and loose them in your destructive progress through these forums

not that you care

those collective ears most assuredly must be familiar to you

I agree that far too many have decided they don't want to rock their little boat but nothing new there

you might present an affirmative approach with truth rather than the holocaust that offends even those who might otherwise agree with SOME things that you present

when someone new comes into this forum and starts attacking people and telling them they hate God and they hate the Holy Spirit it does not scream discernment.

nothing personal though

WWJD ? ....... This :

John 2
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money.15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Hey Jesus ! Sophie T told you this:
"you loose any audience you may have had here, as you do not discuss....you rant and accuse people while underestimating them and loose them in your destructive progress through these forums. not that you care "