This does not come easily for either of us. I was born into a family strong in the Pentecostal church. I have attended Assembly of God churches forever and my children were raised in one. I still believe it was the finest church my girls could have been raised in, and their lives today reflect that.
We change, life changes, and we sometimes seek something different, if only for a season. This was difficult for me, having known no other denomination, yet my longing soul was pointing in another direction. I love our worship, hands lifted in praise and singing often with tears rolling down our faces. I also love a small church, quiet worship and simple preaching of Gods word. This past Sunday, Sara and I attended a small Methodist Church.
The service was completely different then what I've known. Completely. But, different doesn't mean bad. God's presence was there in the old stained glass chapel. In each note played on the beautiful piano, in the children sitting in the front row before being dismissed to children's church. Praise reports were given of prayers answered, and prayer requests were spoken out loud. There wasn't that wonderful praise and worship music I'm so used to, no hands were lifted, (I just may become the first!) but God was felt just as strongly in the softer sweet strains of "Morning Has Broken".
I don't know if this will become my new church. I will attend again though. When we entered the chapel, the pianist was playing "It's Me, It's Me, It's Me oh Lord, Standing In the Need Of Prayer!".....aren't we all.
~It is well with my soul
12 comments:
I've attended the same Baptist church all my life, it has changed though from the very conventional to a fairly modern church. What I like about it, is that everyone is accepted whether they raise their hands in praise (like my partner does) or prefer to worship in a more controlled way (like I do). We have a modern music group now, but when I first attended, we all sang along with the organ. Times have changed but my God has remained the same. And that's what matters to me.
I was raised in the Baptist church then my mother and I changed to the Methodist church. It wasn't long before we were back at the Baptist church. Many years later my sister in California told us how dramatically her life changed when she started attending the Assembly of God Church. When she moved back to N.C. we all began attending the AOG. The lifted hands in lively worship was new to us but we knew it was so right. When I became filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke (and sang) in tongues I was changed forever. I could never belong to a denomination that didn't give the Holy Spirit free reign and allow the gifts to flow. I realize that denomination doesn't matter to God but what does is that He is honored and glorified and His Spirit is not stifled or cramped. I hope you find where you will be happiest.
xo
Wow....could I ever write a book in response to this post. As you know, I was born and bred in the A/G church - speaking and singing in tongues and hands raised in worship were all a huge part of my church experience. Now they are still part of my worship experience - but not always corporately....I never thought I could or would ever leave that behind. However...the Lord had other plans. I have found myself smack dab in the middle of a Nazarene Church - I am involved - up to my ears - on the praise team - leading the women's ministry group - co-directing (with Randy) our teen ministry. The Lord is using us tremendously there - and the people are like family to us. Yes, there are times when I miss the "dancing" - but as for the Holy Spirit - He is there!
I will pray that the Lord leads you right where He wants you to be!
Sounds like a wonderful place! I was raised in a church like that, and the one I go to now has more of the praise and worship with hands raised. I like them both and I think they both have good points!
My experience is similar to Mari's. Sometimes it is good to visit other churches, if for no other reason, to realize there are other people worshiping our LORD besides us.
Yikes! This is like leaving a best friend. I hope you find what you're looking for.
The church you visited sounds alot like the one I attend. Sometimes we feel a need for a change. Isn't it wonderful that God is present in more than one church. Remember He lives within us. Take your time in deciding and He will lead you.
I am firmly convinced that God couldn't give a flying hoot about what denomination we are, as long as we are seeking Him and His way. I was raised Bapticostal....not typically Baptist and not typically Pentacostal. The church you and Sara visited sounds wonderful to me. If the Lord meets you there and His Spirit communes with your Spirit then I certainly can't see any reason why anyone would object to you being there! I love you my sister!
Many hugs...............
Di
My folks attend a Methodist church and they LOVE their relationship with God, and their church family. Mom came out of the Catholic church .. and Dad the Lutheran. When I see how much they've both grown in their walk .. I say AMEN! May you and Sara find where God wants you .. hands up or down .. or maybe you can start something :)
I am sooo right there with you.
Its me again my friend. Wow your Blog is full of wonder. Changes and seasons are for us all. I grew up a Baptist. Then I hated religion and began to seek God and his face by my self. I fell so in love with him and his presence to where I did not think I needed a church home. I started attending a messanic synague and learning the truth about our father yahwah and Yeshua our Savior. I really could not stand church even the more. The more truth I found out the more I distance myself from every falicy that they hold. Dress this way, walk like this, wear a dress, women dont preach. Well you know what, the word is alive and active in me so much to where I didnt need a church I began sharing in my home and in the streets. I was fullfilling the great commission without all the commotion. I moved to Memphis Tn this summer and to my surprise father called me back to church. I became a member of a COGIC church and the first thing they said was that they wanted to teach me thier doctrine. I crenged at the very thought of man. Low and behold this is my time to submit to the will of God and his call on my Life. With that being said. You my friend shall be the first to raise thier hands in the Methodist church. You will not be able to restrain the annointng that comes over you in a place that is filled with his Love. The Methodist Church has a Heart for God and the Label is just that "a label. You know Milk says Prices or Great Value!They are the same thing but have another label and a different price. Gods Love is the same and forever will be. You have experienced his heart and his Agopy Love in the Methodist setting! God is going to show up through you. He is using his children to tear down walls of seperation that he created for a reason. Remember the tower of Babel and how God separated us from one another and confused the languages. I questioned him about that. Now through this post holy spirit is giving me revelation on it. God mixed us up because he knew that it would only be by him we would find one another. how are we doing that? By our Light! We are being gathered by father we are the scattered tribes of Israel that he shall bring back together. We are the Bride that he is prefecting for himself. Only the true Bride knows her true Groom. It is by faith that you have made the choice to separate from what was fimiliar and partake in something unknown. It has been accounted to you as righteousness. You are Abraham seed. You are truly Blessed and the Obediance in your spirit of Submission is going to take you farther than your money or you car. You have tapped into heavenly dimensions. The Gesthseme Garden! You shall be endowed with power upon high, when the spirit of God over shadows you in these next days you shall know that you are on the Path to recieve your mansion and your crown that is laid up for you as a treasure. I see rubies and diamonds and I see a Placement card at the Banquet table that says "angel" you are blessed sister If I dont see you ever in life. I will see you at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
Rosalyn
I have been there as well..maybe I still am...sometimes it wells up in me to look at new ways and places....I will be interested to see where this search of yours and Sara's leads....
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