What I Dislike About Evangelical Services

[sunlover1]

Sorry; it seems that I didn't choose my words very well.

No worries...
You're singing to the choir!

While God desires a lot of us, as any father would, the one thing he requires is faith, for without it the rest is all noise.

Without faith it's impossible to please God.
Amen.

Yet, we cannot get that ourselves; God must give it to us. He can do so in any way he pleases, but the way he most surely does so is through his Word and his Sacraments, his means of grace. We say surely because he has promised this grace to us in his Word.

I don't know what part of Scripture you refer to..
And what do you mean by the word "sacrament'?
Can you just list the items you refer to? thanks.
Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God.
means?

Is it not fitting, then, to bring these things, as well as the most worthy praise which is the response to this unbelievable gift of grace, to the forefront, whatever cultural adjustments that might require?

Bring what? (to the forefront)
FAith?
There is no cultural divide when it comes to faith,
I was referring to style of worship.

It is here that God works his faith in us and strengthens and teaches us, that the rest of our lives may be holy as his indwelling Holy Spirit then works through us by our faith. That's the kind of continuity I meant.

I'm sorry but I have no idea what you mean.

Forgive me if that sounded condescending, as I fear it might have...

Well if it did, it was way over my head! So no worries lol.
No, I didn't feel that you were condescending at all, but
you did lose me completely!
Please forgive me, I am not being difficult
(well not trying to!)

Could we cut right to the main thought?
Perhaps that would improve our rapport.
What is it you feel is lacking ?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

For me, one thing I've done is evaluate how focused on Christ I actually am over the course of the service. In evangelical services, I'm distracted by the chaotic lighting and the trendy wardrobe the band--"worship team"--is wearing and all of the anarchy that takes place around me. Seriously, at any given moment I felt like there could be a half dozen separate things happening in all directions.

Contrast that with the liturgical services where my focus remains on Christ, the gospel actually is proclaimed and God really is being worshiped.

That's me though.

No. I think a lot of us are like that.

Frankly, I find much to be inspired by in a contemporary, "evangelical" service. BUT I always am put off by some of the rest of it. In a liturgical service, unless the pastor has really fiddled with the liturgy, about the only thing that's likely to disappoint is the sermon.

My former Pastor once said that in the event that he preaches a really bad sermon (not that I can recall one that stank), the Gospel is still proclaimed, taught and lived in the Liturgy.

 

[MoreCoffee]

My former Pastor once said that in the event that he preaches a really bad sermon (not that I can recall one that stank), the Gospel is still proclaimed, taught and lived in the Liturgy.

I always listen to the Eucharistic prayer and its preface because it always contains such concise expression of the gospel. Consider this example:

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

In him you have been pleased to renew all things,
giving us all a share in his fullness.
For though he was in the form of God,
he emptied himself
and by the blood of his Cross brought peace to all creation.
Therefore he has been exalted above all things,
and to all who obey him,
has become the source of eternal salvation.

And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.​

 

[Brother Bread]

I find it hard to worship when things are not right in the church

 

[Albion]

I always listen to the Eucharistic prayer and its preface because it always contains such concise expression of the gospel. Consider this example:

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.​

"Modern language" translations are always off-putting to me. I know that others like it, but I just can't feel the same when something like this is used.​

 

[sunlover1]

I find it hard to worship when things are not right in the church

??
What's that mean?

 

[Brother Bread]

Id like to see a catholic village that is like a third order, penitent ,like the married folks did who Followed St. Francis.

 

[usexpat97]

I find it hard to worship when things are not right in the church

??
What's that mean?

It sounds like some of the consumerist mentality prevalent in the Church. The majority of the Sunday-morning-only attendance seems to be like, "me, me, me", and what the Church can do for me. Those of us who aim to serve try to reach whom we can--and indeed these critics are among those very people we are reaching.

 

[Brother Bread]

Sorry. have been to a few. bad churches .

 

[sunlover1]

Id like to see a catholic village that is like a third order, penitent ,like the married folks did who Followed St. Francis.

I'm sorry Brother, what's a third order?
Welcome to Christian forums!

It sounds like some of the consumerist mentality prevalent in the Church. The majority of the Sunday-morning-only attendance seems to be like, "me, me, me", and what the Church can do for me. Those of us who aim to serve try to reach whom we can--and indeed these critics are among those very people we are reaching.

I'm so grateful for the group God gave me.
I read this thread and it's... shocking.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

"Modern language" translations are always off-putting to me. I know that others like it, but I just can't feel the same when something like this is used.

Me too...

"It is truly meet, right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God: Who with Your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, one Lord. And in the confession of the only true God we worship the Trinity in Person and the Unity in Substance, of Majesty coequal. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy,..."

 

[rockytopva]

"Modern language" translations are always off-putting to me. I know that others like it, but I just can't feel the same when something like this is used.

My favorite author is JRR Tolkien who was a devoted Catholic. Here are some excerpts from his grandson Simon Tolkien:

I vividly remember going to church with him [J.R.R.] in Bournemouth. He was a devout Roman Catholic and it was soon after the Church had changed the liturgy from Latin to English. My grandfather obviously didn’t agree with this and made all the responses very loudly in Latin while the rest of the congregation answered in English. I found the whole experience quite excruciating, but my grandfather was oblivious. He simply had to do what he believed to be right. He inherited his religion from his mother, who was ostracised by her family following her conversion and then died in poverty when my grandfather was just 12. I know that he played a big part in the decision to send me to Downside, a Roman Catholic school in Somerset.

 

[Albion]

I'm sorry Brother, what's a third order?

A religious order (e.g., Franciscans, Benedictines, and so on) for laypersons, married or single, living in the world but following a prayer and worship discipline that is derived from that of the monks, friars, etc. who live a stricter lifestyle.

Wow, that's wordy.

 

[Brother Bread]

well When St. Francis Started out He had monks then nuns then many married people wanted to join him he did not want them to abandon their families so he created penitents a third order. Many orders have penitents

 

[MoreCoffee]

"Modern language" translations are always off-putting to me. I know that others like it, but I just can't feel the same when something like this is used.

Maybe you'd prefer Latin?

 

[Knee V]

Maybe you'd prefer Latin?

I certainly like having the Liturgy in English!

 

[MoreCoffee]

I certainly like having the Liturgy in English!

The liturgy in Latin sounds lovely; much of it it is chanted.

Pope Benedict XVI Easter Sunday 2012 - YouTube

 

[sonshine234]

What I Dislike About Evangelical Services

No Real Presence in the Eucharist

 

[Joykins]

Maybe you'd prefer Latin?

Hebrew.

 

[sunlover1]

A religious order (e.g., Franciscans, Benedictines, and so on) for laypersons, married or single, living in the world but following a prayer and worship discipline that is derived from that of the monks, friars, etc. who live a stricter lifestyle.

Wow, that's wordy.

Wow, amazing that I was able to follow!

well When St. Francis Started out He had monks then nuns then many married people wanted to join him he did not want them to abandon their families so he created penitents a third order. Many orders have penitents

I see,
Why not just discipline yourself and set aside time for God.
Did you think that God wants all of us to be just devoted to Him?
I remember how when my kids were little, I selfishly devoted as
much time as I could get away with alone with God.
I tearfully remember my children banging on the door,
"mommy, are you almost done?"and that was common
at my house. Lord help them forgive me.
I spent way too much time with God because I erroneously
thought that there was some urgent need for Him to have
me alone with Him. Thank God they don't resent me or Him.
hopefully...
smh
God's able to handle things, He created us for glory, to glorify
Him, but also that we might bless one another.
I think He wants to hang out with us all day but.. WITH our
kids, WITH our friends, AT our job etc...


IMO