'Spirit-filled' services have always fascinated me. Not the fluffy stuff you see on TV, but the real thing you may be fortunate enough to experience in your church in Anytown, USA.
I grew up in a Methodist church on the Gulf Coast, and our services were always pretty subdued -- no dancing or speaking in tongues or 'falling out'. Just good people worshipping, and I like it that way. However, I've come across a few variations over the years.
My sister attends a UMC in Arkansas, and they are more outwardly spiritual than how we are here on the GC. I want to stress that this is legit spirituality, not just showing off for the crowd. There are often 'Amens' and "Praise the Lord's" called out, and every now and then someone will jump up from their seat. It's a very energized vibe by UMC standards (at least mine), and I like it too.
I've also lived and attended services on the East Coast and upper midwest, and the services I attended there seemed to be more calm and ritualistic.
So here's my question to you:
How outwardly spiritual are your UMC/Nazerene/Lutheran/(whatever) services? Are they relatively calm, or is there dancing, speaking in tongues, prophecying (spellcheck), etc?
Also, what's the most significant spiritual event you've ever witnessed? A healing, an exorcism, a powerful repentance?
Thanks for your responses. I really love to learn about this kind of sprirituality taking place in 'Wesleyish' churches, or anywhere for that matter.
Peace-
willem
I grew up in a Methodist church on the Gulf Coast, and our services were always pretty subdued -- no dancing or speaking in tongues or 'falling out'. Just good people worshipping, and I like it that way. However, I've come across a few variations over the years.
My sister attends a UMC in Arkansas, and they are more outwardly spiritual than how we are here on the GC. I want to stress that this is legit spirituality, not just showing off for the crowd. There are often 'Amens' and "Praise the Lord's" called out, and every now and then someone will jump up from their seat. It's a very energized vibe by UMC standards (at least mine), and I like it too.
I've also lived and attended services on the East Coast and upper midwest, and the services I attended there seemed to be more calm and ritualistic.
So here's my question to you:
How outwardly spiritual are your UMC/Nazerene/Lutheran/(whatever) services? Are they relatively calm, or is there dancing, speaking in tongues, prophecying (spellcheck), etc?
Also, what's the most significant spiritual event you've ever witnessed? A healing, an exorcism, a powerful repentance?
Thanks for your responses. I really love to learn about this kind of sprirituality taking place in 'Wesleyish' churches, or anywhere for that matter.
Peace-
willem