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I watched the movie concerning Lakeland Florida. This post is ABSOLUTELY serious.I am from a time that shouting, walking the benches, rolling in the floor, running the aisles, jerking and 'screaming' were common place.Over the years those actions slowly phased out.Simultaneously it seemed we began to be slowly accepted as a 'Real Church'. I have my own theory, but it is a theory. I also think mostly the change is good.

I think we were probably somewhere in the middle. I don't think there's anything wrong with Pentecostal worship that involves physical and emotional outbursts (for lack of a better word.) But I do think there are times when the emotions are stirred up (and no change occurs) and at other times, the human spirit is stirred by the Holy Spirit. There are still churches where this occurs. It's up to the pastor/leadership to see that order is maintained. And it can happen where it is perfectly in order. I think we need to find the balance between what used to be and what is now. (Said respectfully of our heritage... More of Him...less of me.http://twitter.com/camiracle77http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name

In my lifetime the CoG has come from extreme emotionalism during worship services to criticism of any emotionalism.Acts is a perfect example of what I am talking about.I have read of criticism of what took place in Brownsville. I personally experienced Brownsville. I did not jerk or do some things I have seen but I have fallen under the power of the Spirit. I do not do curtsy drop.In the late 80's my wife and I went to a meeting where the Businessman from Cleveland who became a popular speaker (cannot remember his name now) was scheduled to speak.Little did I know T.L. Lowery would actually be the speaker. Bro. Lowery was laying hands on folks and they were falling all over the place. We went forward, I had my mind made up that I was not going to fall just because others were. My wife and I stood side by side with our arms around each other. Bro. Lowery laid one hand on her and one on me. We fell together. After the meeting she told me she also made up her mind to not do a curtsy drop. All I can say is we just fell. I must say we both experienced the power of the Spirit that night.I never go expecting to fall, I go expecting to experience His presence Recorded Sermons @ www.pastorwiley.com

In my post, I am not belittling our heritage. I had loving parents who were dedicated Christians. In my early life the only people/kids I could feel comfortable with was COG kids. We were in the same boat, OUTSIDERS (No sports, no shows, no. etc....) A lot I could say, but I definitely will not argue the point of 'learned behavior'. I'd better leave it at that, I am not very good at explaining my feeling Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/

T L had big hands.Larry McDaniel had bigger hands - at least they felt that way to me.

Learned behavior? What do you mean More of Him...less of me.http://twitter.com/camiracle77http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name

The Bible says 'Let all things be done unto edifying.' We are all emotional beings. The Bible talks about having joy and rejoicing. Someone can preach or pray enthusiastically, and everyone can be edified.But I don't believe church should be a place for letting out emotion for emotions sake. For example, 10 minutes of shouting and not saying anything isn't going to edify anyone. Speaking in tongues only edifies the speaker unless it is interpreted, too. I'd rather see spiritual gifts exercised in a way to edify others than long outbursts of emotion. Seeing someone swing from the chandeliers doesn't edify anyone

I don't know, Link, I remember when a few got edified one time when in the middle a one a them ole fashion gullywasher services, hey, ole Brother Flapjack Jones commenced runnin, jumped an grabbed the light fixture hangin in the middle aisle (closest thing to a chandelier we had), an started swingin on the thing. All was well till two other brothers jumped an grabbed it with him, an next thing I know the thing broke, the three brethren landed right in the middle a the altar area, which was packed with folk prayin. Well, when they landed it caused a big crashin sound, an some a them folk prayin thought it was the good Lord movin amongst em. 14 got saved at night, 14 got sanctified, 3 had broke legs, two broke arms, one got a split lip, one throwed his back out, an some visitors got up an walked out.

As you well know from your travels and life, there are always extremes.The difference almost certainly has to be discerned by the Spirit of God. There are people I've seen doing weird things that I absolutely felt were of the Lord. And then there are those who seem to be doing it to prove how spiritual they are, or to get people to think they are. It grates on my spirit to see such things.If it draws more attention to US than to the Master, it immediately becomes suspect. He must increase, we must decrease. I've seen about every form of shouting there is. And I've noticed that many times, folks in the same church shout the same way. Further, whites and blacks often shout differently, as there are distinctive ways that the black church worships.I think this is NOT because of lack of spirituality, but because they have learned how to express the feelings they have by watching others. The Spirit comes upon them and they don't know what to do...so they express it as they saw the pastor's wife expressing it.We've been around it long enough to know there is plenty of real. I've never shouted and I've never fallen out. Probably because I tend to express myself in tears rather than other ways. It's just how God seems to work with me (though I did one time want to shout, but resisted, being too self-conscious...I trust I will not make that mistake again).

Very good comment my brother. In the OP I was not hinting these were 'faking it', but I do agree here that most were doing what they thought they were supposed to. In effect what Eddie was referring to methinks, a learned behavior. Because different churches do worship different. Not all our churches had bench walkers.One of the best men I have ever known told me once on a Sunday Night God was blessing and folks were shouting and he took the mike and in his exuberance said, If you are not shouting now I about doubt your salvation.HE said the next day one of the sweetest most Godly women in his church called and asked him to please come to her house. When he arrived he could tell she had been crying. She explained she had been up all night crying and praying that God would make her shout because all I can ever do is hold my hands up and cry.He asked her why in the world would she do that?She reminded him of what he had said.He said I fell on my knees and begged her forgiveness. Sister you are the closest thing to Christlike that I have every pastored, God wasn't within a million miles of that statement, Please forgive me. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/