praise

I have a problem of reading things on facebook and then wanting to respond before actually thinking. Usually when I do this, it comes out all wrong and never makes any sense. I have been training myself to think first , then post an answer (if it is warranted). My thought process was put to the test this week after reading something that I completely disagreed with.

I have a respect for other denominations and that sometimes we, as Christians, do not all have the same thoughts and beliefs. I know that things are not always the same. I love my church and I love the way my church worships. To me, I feel Jesus in the people there and in the way we worship together. My children have gone there all of their lives. We are all family. This week I read an article posted by a friend on facebook. It was on praise teams. Now this friend is Church of Christ. I know that particular denomination does not believe in music or instruments in their worship. Not to say they don't worship, they just don't have the same type of worship as my church (a non-denominational) does. In this article it states how praise teams are wrong and instruments should not be used. That's fine. that is what they believe, and I respect that. It is what is said next that bothered me so much. It went on to say the women could not have a leadership role in a praise team because it would be to glorify themselves and their vocal abilities, not God. Also, it stated that most praise teams are only out for themselves and their glory. I strongly disagree with this. Mainly because I am extremely close to my praise team at my church and not a one of them stands up there with any thing else on their minds but to glorify God in their singing. Yes, we have instruments. We don't believe it is wrong. That is our right to do. It is all for the glory of God.

I think I got the maddest when it was talking about women not needing to be in leadership roles in a worship team. One of my closest friends, Jenny, lead our worship team for years and not once did she stand up there for the glory of anyone but God. When she sang, you knew it was nothing but a gift from God. She never put herself first in her leading. She was a wonderful leader! That statement in that article is wrong in that! Yes, I believe there are many who stand with a worship teams with only wanting their voices heard. I have been to churches like that. They put on their best "Christina Agiulara" and have no passion for God in their singing. Not all churches are like this. There are many who have women in leadership that sing for God and only God. That is when the spirit moves. My friend, Jenny, has since moved away and we have a new leader. He is a wonderful leader. When he and the praise team sang today, I just felt the Holy Spirit in their singing and in their instruments. It was a beautiful moment. It was what I needed to feel today to help me deal with this anger I have had about this article. I know that our way of worship is just fine. It may not be the way everyone worships but it is the way my church family does and God hears us just fine.

I come from a past of extreme legalism and indoctrination. I think that is why I let things like this get to me. I am really trying not to let them well up in me. It is just another thing I have on my list of things to change. I have to just pray about it and let God show me the answers, just like he did today.

Now, I have many friends who are Church of Christ. I love them all very much. I am not trying to offend anyone by stating this in my blog. I have complete respect for what you do and how you worship. I just think that the article I read was extremely judgemental against other denominations. We all have the same goal, to worship our master and creator for His glory. God Bless you all.