Outsiders view of a supposed "Spirit filled church service"

Saw this on Snooky's blog, and checked out this article.

Worth a read to see how an unchurched middle class professional felt at a normal Sunday night Planetshakers service.

The room was buzzing with anticipation. I felt like a kid expecting Santa to arrive. It felt as if Jesus was going to turn up any minute.

Then out came the pastors. Middle-aged blokes peppering talk about Jesus with constant references to the footy, reality shows and McDonald’s. Almost swearing with ‘‘flipping angry" and "What the heck?" and plenty of ‘‘awesomes’’ thrown in to convince everyone they were down with the youth.

This lady had no intention of being fooled by people's emotions, and the only way she would have been moved towards God was if there was a clear interaction with the Holy Spirit.

As people yelled, "Yeah!", "Amen!" and ‘‘Awesome!" I wanted to yell, "I don’t get it". I love the way religion convinces people by making things deliberately incomprehensible and you feel too shy to say ‘‘I don’t understand’’ lest you reveal your stupidity.

I thought this was an interesting perspective, especially considering I am going to begin preaching at City North towards the end of the year.

The crowd left believing they had been moved by God and touched by Jesus. They hadn’t. They had been seduced by slick video packages and had their emotional desire for love, community and certainty met by manipulation. It wasn’t the Holy Spirit; it was just people.

Aren’t we awesome enough?

Shouldn't our services be focused enough on God that someone totally hostile towards him would have to realise we were giving ourselves and not merely trying to feel good about ourselves. Church services are about corporate worship, which is just another facet of the worship we give to God everyday. I think for the church community this article rings out truth in the styles of worship of some of the larger well known churches, meeting a need of human expectation and heightening human emotions, not truly worshipping God.

ref: Catherine Deveny, Shaken but not stirred by stadium-rock spirituality, July 29, 2009, http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/shaken-but-not-stirred-by-stadiumrock-spirituality-20090728-e02k.html?page=-1