Acts20.com

We want to see God move, but have we come to the point where we can't trust God to move.Here is an example.At one time, the altar committee at state meetings meant to be prepared to pray and counsel people with needs at our altars. Now it has the meaning of zig zagging and maneuvering through people praying and worshipping to catch people being prayed for.Okay, let me vent a bit here.First, we have preachers and hearers who are addicted to getting slain in the Spirit. These head slapper, neck crackers, and body rockers will do anything to get a person down. It's like notches on the gun. You're not having great services unless the altar area looks like a Civil War battlefield. Pray for people. That is great and biblical. But if they are going down because of fleshly manipulation, you have gone from preacher of the Gospel to a showman.Second, there are hearers who just can't wait for someone to pray for them so they can fall down. They love the attention it brings them. Honestly, they kind of like being caught. One wonders why they don't just get on the ground ahead of time since you know that is where they are going to end up.Third, it can create an idea that unless you fall down, you are unspiritual, quenching or resisting the Holy Spirit.Dare I say this?This is why mass people fall back when a speaker waves his arm.If it was a move of God, why did the speaker have to dramatically wave his arm.Have I fallen under the power of God? YesHave I allowed someone to shove me down? NoWill I do a mercy drop? Not even at gun point.Catchers? Forget about them.If someone happens to fall under the power of God, let Him be in control of it. Next time you see the head slapper, neck cracker, body wobbler, do you dare have the nerve to rebuke them?Okay, let the tirade begin.

Would it be in order to rebuke them during a campmeeting service?Would you be having more than your neck cracked with the overseer immediately following service

Do it face to face afterwards.But if the shoving and neck cracking is public, one wonders if a public rebuke might be more effective. Just thinking out loud here

I’ve been a part of many services over the years where falling backwards into the waiting arms of usher-catchers was commonplace. I am not opposed to falling forwards or backwards, in and of itself, but I really don’t think catchers are necessary or helpful, all things considered. Whenever I have been in charge of services where the laying on of hands occurred, I have not had catchers. I have also not had very many who fell out without a catcher present. It seems that many are willing to fall backwards if they know someone will catch them and let them down easy.

We don't catch at SPWC.If you fall you better be in the Spirit. Charles A. HutchinsSenior Pastor SPWCCongregational Church of Godwww.spwc.church

BUT, but you would be contradicting some of the well known actions of high profile men of God in the COG!That said, I have read, even here on Acts that some are fearful of serious injuries and lawsuits.When I attended the Mt Holly COG our pastor NEVER mentioned, encouraged or asked for 'catchers.' Our services were normal COG services just as QW has described above.BUT when one high profile pastor went independent in our area one of his former members attended our church, searching for a new COG home church. As was normal our pastor asked if anyone needed special prayer, the new man stepped forward. Our pastor anointed and prayed in the normal fashion of COG for decades. The man fell backwards, A very loud thump as he hit his head on the arm of the first pew. It actually shocked and scared me it was so loud.The man got up rubbing his head and asked aloud, Where were the catchers?At that moment I felt in my soul, 'someone has created a practice never seen in the early days of the COG.'AND on a serious note, I would hate to see the media having a hey-day over a possible lawsuit at the expense of an evangelical church or pastor.I definitely would not have a problem with a 'disclaimer' in a bulletin and small message on a bulletin board that 'This church does not follow the modern practice of catchers!'note: If God puts you down, HE will protect you Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

And that’s the way it should be everyplace “Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”

Like every other Pentecostal preacher who frequents this site, I too have seen my share of slain in the Spirit preachers. For the record, I personally believe it is real, but I also believe it to be a very rare occurrence. These mass falling are simply not real, nor is people falling on top of one another a move of God, and I stand upon that statement.The worst “slain in the Spirit’ spectacle I’ve ever witnessed was in a recent 4 day revival with a former COG AB. Long retired from the pastorate as well as the state office, he travels the country holding services with whatever church will let him come. He preaches very little of the Word, but is very long on stories, as well as very healthy dose of humor. Classic case of a preacher that done should have hung it up but can’t stay away from the limelight long enough. Needless to say, not my cup of tea but whatever.What I witnessed was both shocking and disgusting as for 4 nights the same people came up to have hands laid on them and receive a “word”, and each and every time these same people fell out. Funny, most of these people never came up for prayer before the revival or the rest of the year for that matter. Guess no one but the man of gawd was worthy to pray for them!I could go on but I’ve rambled enough. Count me as among those that can do without any more supposedly spiritual spectacles. Now, if these same people would put as much effort into praying, fasting, and seeking the Lord then MAYBE there would be something to talk about “Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”

Dear Sister Eva Cross, widow of M. P. Cross was a member of our church when I came as pastor in Chattanooga. She expressed concern about the catchers at the altar services of some of the churches she had visited. She said, If it's the Holy Ghost, they won't get hurt when they fall and if it's not the Holy Ghost they ought to get hurt. That's kind of how I look at it. :) By the way have you noticed that when no catchers are present very few people seem to fall. I guess the anointing must being in the catchers and not the person doing the laying on of hands. LOL :)

Re: Not so fast