Dialing down

[JimB]

Dialing-down … Have you ever felt this way?

I have always been an analytical, undemonstrative type who receives my “blessing” in different ways than my more overexcitable P/C friends. For years I felt out of place and often less-than-spiritual in P/C worship services because I could not work up some hyper expression of what I felt.​

I would be urged from the platform to “lift my hands,” “shout hallelujah,” “shake a hand,” “turn to someone and say _____[something silly]_____,” “stand,” “sit,” “speak,” “roll over,” “beg,” “wag your tail” http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS… none of which I felt necessary to enhance what I was already receiving from God. People around me would respond as suggested and would do what they were told. Sometimes I did it myself and wound up feeling less than genuine and, well, to tell the truth, feeling kind of stupid. I would even avoid such hyperactive meetings and even wondered whether or not I belonged. It even, at one point, caused me to question my faith.

Then, some years ago, I attended another kind of P/C service where, when the meeting became a little, um, over-exuberant, the leader told us to “dial down” a bit and not let our response to God be determined by what we felt on an emotional level. The audience quieted and the Spirit began to quietly in dove-like fashion move over people without any hype or manipulation on the part of the leader. There was a visible emotional response in some people (weeping, lifting hands, kneeling, etc.) but in some it was purely an internal thing—but we all, withfew exceptions, sensed the presence of God. I was amazed at how I suddenly felt a connection to God and how He was able to do a work in me that evening. ​

When worship leaders shout things like, “Wow, if you could only feel out there what I’m feeling up here you could not just sit there” or compare what you should be feeling in church service to what people feel at a football game, how does that make you feel? Does it help or hinder your response to what God is doing for/in/through you? Do you think we might see more of God if we P/C’s would learn to dial-down sometimes?

~Jim

Gross ignorance is 144 times worse than the normal kind.​

 

[soldoutdancer4]

yes i think that if we dial down more we'd feel Him more. there were times at my church where we would just worship so quietly and with true feeling that the prescence of the Lord would be heavy. but there were times where people would dance out of what seems like emotion and i wouldn't feel the same way. it didn't seem like the Lord was truly there.

 

[Svt4Him]

My response isn't dictated by how others are reacting, but I can't comment on how the people from your church are. Some may be blown to and fro with every wind, but I think the goal of Christianity as well as the instructions from the preachers is to be mature.

 

[ralangley]

Yes. I have felt the same way. There have been times I even questioned whether or not I've been baptized by the Holy Spirit. But then, there have been times that I can't help but raise my hands and praise God. I like services that honor our own ways of worship without pressure.

"Dialing down" is a new phrase for me but one I entirely get. When we feel safe to worship from the depths of our spirit instead of from social expectations, something geniune and powerful happens.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Becoming more quiet so that we can hear His "still, small, voice" is never a bad thing.

I've heard some say "act as if you've just won a million dollars" then they get annoyed because I don't run in circles and jump up and down. It is my personality that if I won a million dollars I would probably sit down and cry...for greatfulness to God. I've seen game shows where a person did just that...when they won all the money they just stood there and cried. Now I've seen others that ran around the room, jumped up and down and grabbed the host and kissed them. But for those who were more quiet, that was just their personality. They were not feeling any less blessed than the others.

Yes, while we need to praise the Lord with a loud voice, it might also do us well to learn to to dial it down more often. On purpose.

Thanks Jim

 

[SharonL]

"Dial it down" I like that.

I am in agreement with this:
thanks Jim

Then, some years ago, I attended another kind of P/C service where, when the meeting became a little, um, over-exuberant, the leader told us to “dial down” a bit and not let our response to God be determined by what we felt on an emotional level. The audience quieted and the Spirit began to quietly in dove-like fashion move over people without any hype or manipulation on the part of the leader. There was a visible emotional response in some people (weeping, lifting hands, kneeling, etc.) but in some it was purely an internal thing—but we all, withfew exceptions, sensed the presence of God. I was amazed at how I suddenly felt a connection to God and how He was able to do a work in me that evening

 

[JimB]

My response isn't dictated by how others are reacting, but I can't comment on how the people from your church are. Some may be blown to and fro with every wind, but I think the goal of Christianity as well as the instructions from the preachers is to be mature.

My view is that many P/C’s, especially those who feel they require over-stimulation (for lack of a better term), are not happy when services dial down. I agree, that sometimes meetings do become charged and people react exuberantly. I have no problem with that, at lest when such exuberance is not hyped from the platform and when it is actually a response to the Spirit of God. But there is something to be said for simply waiting quietly for the “kingdom to come” w/o manipulation some desired, pre-imagined response. I too have been guilty, despite my analytical nature, of trying to work up a pep rally atmosphere because I felt that was what the Holy Spirit wanted when, in reality, I was simply catering to what the audience wanted and expected.

~Jim

Gross ignorance is 144 times worse than the normal kind.​

​

​

 

[New_Wineskin]

Dialing-down … Have you ever felt this way?

I have always been an analytical, undemonstrative type who receives my “blessing” in different ways than my more overexcitable P/C friends. For years I felt out of place and often less-than-spiritual in P/C worship services because I could not work up some hyper expression of what I felt.​

I would be urged from the platform to “lift my hands,” “shout hallelujah,” “shake a hand,” “turn to someone and say _____[something silly]_____,” “stand,” “sit,” “speak,” “roll over,” “beg,” “wag your tail” … none of which I felt necessary to enhance what I was already receiving from God. People around me would respond as suggested and would do what they were told. Sometimes I did it myself and wound up feeling less than genuine and, well, to tell the truth, feeling kind of stupid. I would even avoid such hyperactive meetings and even wondered whether or not I belonged. It even, at one point, caused me to question my faith.

Then, some years ago, I attended another kind of P/C service where, when the meeting became a little, um, over-exuberant, the leader told us to “dial down” a bit and not let our response to God be determined by what we felt on an emotional level. The audience quieted and the Spirit began to quietly in dove-like fashion move over people without any hype or manipulation on the part of the leader. There was a visible emotional response in some people (weeping, lifting hands, kneeling, etc.) but in some it was purely an internal thing—but we all, withfew exceptions, sensed the presence of God. I was amazed at how I suddenly felt a connection to God and how He was able to do a work in me that evening. ​

When worship leaders shout things like, “Wow, if you could only feel out there what I’m feeling up here you could not just sit there” or compare what you should be feeling in church service to what people feel at a football game, how does that make you feel? Does it help or hinder your response to what God is doing for/in/through you? Do you think we might see more of God if we P/C’s would learn to dial-down sometimes?

~Jim

Gross ignorance is 144 times worse than the normal kind.​

Because of my experiences of like kind , I sit in the back row in the right-most or left-most side . Besides the one person ( at most ) beside me , those up front would be the only ones that could see me . I would then be comfortable enough to sing when I was led , stand when led , or whatever .

 

[Churon]

Hmm I'm thinking a lot about these things to be honest. First off all I always think about the scripture "Love god with all your heart, mind, soul/strength". I do believe that our soul and body are a part of us that god wants us to use to love him and to worship him too.

Secondly I believe that our actions should really not be determined by how we feel - I don't think that it's right to say "today I don't feel like worshipping so I won't"

The third aspect in my opinion is that I experience more and more how my soul wants to react to god. Where I go to church it's probably just the opposite of where you guys come from - You belong to a very rare breed of Christians if you dare to raise your hand in worship and everything else is probably never seen. So I always feel like betraying god behaving the cold way I do and I surely pray that god will help me with my fear of men and also give me wisdom of how it's appropriate to behave.

Personally I believe that god wants us to use everything we have in order to worship him as long as he remains the focus of it all.

 

[JimB]

Because of my experiences of like kind , I sit in the back row in the right-most or left-most side . Besides the one person ( at most ) beside me , those up front would be the only ones that could see me . I would then be comfortable enough to sing when I was led , stand when led , or whatever .

I know what you mean. But you or anyone else should not feel that they have to sit in the back for fear of not meeting the expectations of some.

Years ago, when I was saved in an excitable Pentecostal church, I was told that I needed the “baptism of the Holy Ghost” and was required to come to the altar at the end of every service so that the more-excitable ones could shout in my ear, breath their stinky breath in my nostrils, yank my arms above my head, tell me to “speak it out” (meaning tongues), stand, kneel and do a lot of other things I felt totally uncomfortable doing. I thought it was what I was supposed to do and tried my best to be what they wanted. Finally, out of desperation to get it over with, I made verbal sounds to make them think I was speaking in tongues. They went wild, shouting, “He’s got it! He’s got it!” but to tell the truth, I felt like I had blasphemed the Holy Spirit by faking it. (So much for “evidence”!!) but at least they were happy and I felt like I was now part of the club.

Only years later did I realize that I already been baptized by the Spirit and made to drink of the Spirit when I was saved and placed into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12.13) and, so, I had always been able to speak in tongues. That bit of knowledge freed me and I realized that, with our without anyone’s endorsement, I had all the enablements (including tongues) I ever needed to do the work of the kingdom.

So, sometimes, especially with people of my personality type, dialing down is the very thing they need to connect with God.

~Jim

Friends are chocolate chips in the cookie of life!

​

 

[New_Wineskin]

I know what you mean. But you or anyone else should not feel that they have to sit in the back for fear of not meeting the expectations of some.

Years ago, when I was saved in an excitable Pentecostal church, I was told that I needed the “baptism of the Holy Ghost” and was required to come to the altar at the end of every service so that the more-excitable ones could shout in my ear, breath their stinky breath in my nostrils, yank my arms above my head, tell me to “speak it out” (meaning tongues), stand, kneel and do a lot of other things I felt totally uncomfortable doing. I thought it was what I was supposed to do and tried my best to be what they wanted. Finally, out of desperation to get it over with, I made verbal sounds to make them think I was speaking in tongues. They went wild, shouting, “He’s got it! He’s got it!” but to tell the truth, I felt like I had blasphemed the Holy Spirit by faking it. (So much for “evidence”!!) but at least they were happy and I felt like I was now part of the club.

Only years later did I realize that I already been baptized by the Spirit and made to drink of the Spirit when I was saved and placed into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12.13) and, so, I had always been able to speak in tongues. That bit of knowledge freed me and I realized that, with our without anyone’s endorsement, I had all the enablements (including tongues) I ever needed to do the work of the kingdom.

So, sometimes, especially with people of my personality type, dialing down is the very thing they need to connect with God.

~Jim

Friends are chocolate chips in the cookie of life!​

Thanks . Great story - reminds me of so many events .

However , I don't sit in the corner for fear . I do so for my own comfort and to keep from being distracting to others . I also like to bring a soda and such which drives certain folk crazy (gasp). By attempting to be relatively unnoticeable , we can all be relatively happy doing what we like .

 

[sebastian]

I think any worship service where the focus is on the congregation feeling something has missed the point.

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

There's nothing wrong with joyful exuberation for the Lord. Singing, dancing, etc are all good in the proper place and the proper time. Other times, I agree with Jim, we need to "dial-down."

My church, there is no dancing during worship, but their is raising of hands as the spirit leads. Maybe a little motion from some people as they worship. I've been to a worship service before that had flags. Great idea, but I found it to be distracting from the worship (IMO). I would want to watch the flag instead of worshipping the Lord. I feel that dancing in a church would be much the same.

I acknowledge that some people enjoy to worship the Lord through dance and flag worship, and think it is great that there are congregations that do that, but there are many like myself who would find that a distraction from worshipping God.

Am I wrong? Are the others wrong? No to both. We worship God in Spirit and in Truth. We shouldn't be made to feel that we are worshipping "incorrectly" just because we might differ in how we worship.

In all, though, as per the original post, I do think it is good to "dial down" once in a while, when appropriate.

 

[Tamara224]

When worship leaders shout things like, “Wow, if you could only feel out there what I’m feeling up here you could not just sit there” or compare what you should be feeling in church service to what people feel at a football game, how does that make you feel? Does it help or hinder your response to what God is doing for/in/through you? Do you think we might see more of God if we P/C’s would learn to dial-down sometimes?

Absolutely! You know, I made a vow years ago that I wasn't going to "turn to the person next to me and say ____" ever again. If someone else had to tell me to say it, then it wasn't from my heart and most likely I didn't even mean it. I'm not a parrot. And I hate it when I'm told that thing about being at a baseball/football game too...

Actually, what I hate is being emotionally manipulated. And that's what happens when all of the hype is coming from on-stage.

The best worship services I've experienced were low-key, no "leader", just everyone worshipping and being led by the Holy Spirit. The worst were the ones where the "leader" told us that we were dishonoring God to be distracted by his (the "leader's") clothes, attitude and music selection because we apparently weren't as hyper as he expected us to be. I didn't even notice his clothes until he pointed them out. And, I'm sorry, but if a song is in a bad key for me it is distracting to try to force my voice to sing it. Usually, I quietly pray and enjoy the music around me if I'm having difficulties singing it... that doesn't mean I'm not worshipping.

It just seems to me like many many P/C worship leaders have it in their heads (or believe unconsciously) that they are the only ones the Holy Spirit can talk to and that everything the Holy Spirit is going to do is going to be channelled through them first. It's sad and frustrating and, quite honestly, it makes me mad. The Holy Spirit can move amongst us all at once, it doesn't have to go through a "leader" first. The Holy Spirit does not need a man to get a congregation emotionally "primed" or "hyped" in order to move. The Holy Spirit does not need a man (or woman) to manipulate the congregation into a state of frenzy. Quite honestly, I think that would be counter to the Spirit's job most of the time.

Another thing I've noticed... the leaders who want hype tend to draw all the focus of the "worship service"... IOW, the focus isn't on Jesus.

So, yeah, reminding people to "dial down" every once in a while is an awesome idea. A lot of the time we just need to "be still and know that He is God."

 

[Optimax]

Dialing-down … Have you ever felt this way?

I have always been an analytical, undemonstrative type who receives my “blessing” in different ways than my more overexcitable P/C friends. For years I felt out of place and often less-than-spiritual in P/C worship services because I could not work up some hyper expression of what I felt.​

I would be urged from the platform to “lift my hands,” “shout hallelujah,” “shake a hand,” “turn to someone and say _____[something silly]_____,” “stand,” “sit,” “speak,” “roll over,” “beg,” “wag your tail” … none of which I felt necessary to enhance what I was already receiving from God. People around me would respond as suggested and would do what they were told. Sometimes I did it myself and wound up feeling less than genuine and, well, to tell the truth, feeling kind of stupid. I would even avoid such hyperactive meetings and even wondered whether or not I belonged. It even, at one point, caused me to question my faith.

Then, some years ago, I attended another kind of P/C service where, when the meeting became a little, um, over-exuberant, the leader told us to “dial down” a bit and not let our response to God be determined by what we felt on an emotional level. The audience quieted and the Spirit began to quietly in dove-like fashion move over people without any hype or manipulation on the part of the leader. There was a visible emotional response in some people (weeping, lifting hands, kneeling, etc.) but in some it was purely an internal thing—but we all, withfew exceptions, sensed the presence of God. I was amazed at how I suddenly felt a connection to God and how He was able to do a work in me that evening. ​

When worship leaders shout things like, “Wow, if you could only feel out there what I’m feeling up here you could not just sit there” or compare what you should be feeling in church service to what people feel at a football game, how does that make you feel? Does it help or hinder your response to what God is doing for/in/through you? Do you think we might see more of God if we P/C’s would learn to dial-down sometimes?

~Jim

Gross ignorance is 144 times worse than the normal kind.​

JimM:

I know this thread has your name on it but it sure sounds like I wrote it.

 

[Always in His Presence]

..

 

[JAS4Yeshua]

Definitely - dial it down - nothing more than sitting still with folded hands never raising your voice above a whisper in reverence to God.

Charismatic churches should not encourage their congregations to participate or try something out of their comfort zone.

Nice sarcasm there, Balance. Just remember, what you think of as worship may not be what another views as worship. Your form of worship might distract another from worshipping God. That is why I thank God that there are different congregations where those who are more outgoing can worship the Lord and those who are less outgoing can worship the Lord the way they are gifted. What matters isn't the outward appearance, but the heart of the worshipper. That is all that matters.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Please accept my apologies, especially Jim.

I was wrong to post such a thing in your thread.

I don't know how to explain the frustration I feel when I read one of Jim's posts. It seems that he is forever bring up things that are wrong. My very narrow view of a pastor is one who would at least at times bring something of encouragement. I find none in his threads. He is five of the most negative people I know.

This is only my observation, I will ask again that you accept my apologies for posting like that in your thread. I will not be disturbing your threads again.

 

[Tamara224]

Please accept my apologies, especially Jim.

I was wrong to post such a thing in your thread.

I don't know how to explain the frustration I feel when I read one of Jim's posts. It seems that he is forever bring up things that are wrong. My very narrow view of a pastor is one who would at least at times bring something of encouragement. I find none in his threads. He is five of the most negative people I know.

This is only my observation, I will ask again that you accept my apologies for posting like that in your thread. I will not be disturbing your threads again.

You call that an apology? Interesting.

I can't wait to read Jim M's posts. I love his threads. And I'm sure many many other people do as well. He always offers positive solutions to real problems. I've learned a lot from him and I look forward to continuing to do so.

[At least when he has something negative to say, he just says it... instead of pretending that he's offering an apology so he can insult someone.] That's just my observation.

 

[Dave01]

Then, some years ago, I attended another kind of P/C service where, when the meeting became a little, um, over-exuberant, the leader told us to “dial down” a bit and not let our response to God be determined by what we felt on an emotional level. The audience quieted and the Spirit began to quietly in dove-like fashion move over people without any hype or manipulation on the part of the leader. There was a visible emotional response in some people (weeping, lifting hands, kneeling, etc.) but in some it was purely an internal thing—but we all, withfew exceptions, sensed the presence of God. I was amazed at how I suddenly felt a connection to God and how He was able to do a work in me that evening.

Not to brag here, but that is our church every Sunday.

That connection with The Holy Spirit is what all church's are to be finding, but the leadership in most church's wants to be noticed more instead of worshipping GOD.

Also, you have people who enjoy being beat up by the pastor from the pulpit, who don't feel they were properly chastised by GOD unless the preacher gave a mean-type sermon.

Go figure.​