whenever i brought up the subject of styles of worship, and the style that i am more comfortable with, that is being able to express myself and how much i love God, like clapping or raising my hands, i was told that this sort of worship offends some. my retort was, "well, i am offended by you telling me that i can't do this." they said that i was welcome to show how i feel at another congregation. i'm still there, but i wish that this argument of "offending" went both ways.

you know, my last point could not be defended if i used one of my favorite chapters that paul gave us, 1 cor 13. because i was showing how i wanted my own way, but was i totally wrong?

btw, keith, we did not see at 'advance 2008,' although you don't have a new freshman going to lipscomb do you? we do! she will be starting in august. she will be majoring in the IT field. we're excited!

It's been a while, but we used to get that line pretty often. However, it was usually not a "weaker brother," but someone who had been a Christian for 30+ years who was unhappy that their comfort applecart was being jostled.

I have always tried to keep Romans 14 (and the "weaker brother") in mind whenever I plan my worship - sometimes with success, sometimes with failure - yes, people have actually left and never returned to the congregation. Heartbreaking! What is truly interesting is that this chapter is not a bludgeon but an attempt to keep us in peace. There is no weaker brother or stronger brother but rather a responsibility from both to understand the needs of the other: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (v19). If we could only remember these words in everything we do as brethren we'd tear down those stumbling blocks.

D

How many will admit to being the weaker brother? We typically see someone with the opposing view as weaker, but someone with the view that can't be biblically supported is the weaker one. That being said, I always sit in the PTS section at service. (Prone To Shout)

I may have used this scripture at times. More recently when encountering what appears to be attitude or perspective issues. I believe I understand both sides somewhat. Being raised in church of Christ for over 50 years and yet longing to express my feelings fully in music to the Creator and my Savior. My desire is that I can assist others in being sensitive, loving, encouraging to each other. I hurt when I see defenses come up. I have only recently become aware of how very imporatant Relationships are at Church. I believe this is where I would dwell along with expressing my soul's desire to praise Him and His Son and His Spirit.

Keith, I would like to offer an alternative view on this matter.

As a Christian I am thankful for the great sacrifice that was given for us on the cross however, I find it hard to worship and show reverence and respect for God when others are jumping up and down, clapping so loud that they overcome the words of the songs, and using other liberties of expression to have "real worship".

One should remember that the God that we worship is one that we should revere and approach with total awe and respect. This is the God that Moses could not even look in the face; the God that required Moses to take his shoes off; and the God that we should fall on our face in front of.

If we were honoring a king, queen, or even one of our senior servants we would not do so by jumping up and down, clapping raucously, shouting, or displaying other emotions that we would use at a sporting event.

In study of worship in the New Testament, I find no mention of clapping, jumping up and down, stomping our feet, beating on the back of a pew, or shouting in worship to God (nor are we commanded to do so). Note that my thoughts and reasoning here are the same ones that we use in relation to not using instruments in worship.

Ephesians 5:19 admonishes us to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord". It then goes on to say that we are to "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Finally verse 21 tells us to "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

When I see brethren asserting their liberties of expression in worship, and others that are leaving because of that, I do not find this being submissive.

Too many congregations are being split by those that want to use their liberties of expression. As far as I can see, it is the ones that are forcing their freedom of expression that are driving other Christian off and that are being devisive in these situations.

I really appreciate all the comments, demonstrating a wide diversity of views. Thank you for taking time to join this vibrant discussion. Allow me to make a couple of observations that may or may not be helpful to you.

First of all, it has helped me to understand that there are many different appropriate "moods" of worship that are in fact, drastically different. One can worship God in total silence and meditation, yet God has commanded (numerous times) that we should "shout for joy." That one example demonstrates a stark (yet appropriate) variety. Is one style right and one wrong? I like to think this example only parallels the emotions we possess, resulting from the way God hard-wired humanity with a multiplicity of feelings. There are times it would be appropriate to weep during worship, which is far different from the more celebratory emphasis that I absorb from the Gospel.

My second point is this - I learned that I should not be judging others, but become more concerned with my own heart. Earlier in my life, I automatically judged others if they "failed" to worship exactly as I did or exactly as I thought they should. That attitude sure placed a lot of responsibility upon me to be the perfect judge of other's hearts and the standard bearer for every decree from God. Of course we should worship in spirit and in truth. However, I have learned that we set ourselves up for legalism if we allow zero tolerance for any variations from our own thinking and practices.

Lee brought out some great thoughts. My point is, in far too many church assemblies, if someone fell upon their face in reverence and worship for the Lord, they would be expressly escorted off the premises. That's a sad reality.

- KL