There's this huge revival thing going on in my town. It's been going on for weeks and there are thousands of people (up to 10,000!) attending every night. It's a huge deal.
I've never been to a revival like that. It's not in our religious culture. But, I'd like to go. I want to check it out. But, frankly, I don't expect to experience what some are experiencing there (healing, speaking in tongues, etc). I don't think it's fake. It's just not what I'm after. I'm just curious. I want to see what it's all about. It would be a cultural excursion for my family.
But - is it disrespectful to go just to observe? I don't want to be rude. I am just curious. What do you think?
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Nancy
married to Robert * mommy to Emma (04/2001) and John (09/2004)
courage - joy - spirit - celebrate - community - equality - diversity
I went to a "cult" church meeting in college out of curiosity. It was much smaller, like in a private home - they knew I was there to observe and were glad to have me!
lol - I'm terribly relieved to see it's a family field trip, not a school one! Go for it if you want.. we go to all sorts of .. unusual stuff. I figure it's cultural awareness.. whether we agree with their beliefs or not, it's easier to be tolerant and understanding if you see where they're coming from. Handling snakes seems really freaky weird to me - but I'm sure there's a reason that they do what they do, kwim?
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Our first REAL snowman.. a lasting memory of the snow
When I was in high school my episcopal Sunday school class spent an entire summer visiting different churches/synagogues, etc. We wanted to see God in as many forms as possible, and it was awesome We went to an all black church and they welcomed us, so I would say that you will be welcome at this revival, as long as you participate to the extent of your comfort. (singing, etc)
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Heather , mama to Liam, born 12-19-01, and Simon, born 04-17-05 wife to Mark, married 09-23-97
We went to one of the all-black churches in Lakeland as a field trip when I was at FSC...it was for a sociology class. It was such a neat experience. I can guarentee that many people attending this revival are there as curious spectators, and I see nothing worng with going. I would go with you if I was there!!
Will you bring John and Emma? How do you think they will react?
I did those field trips as well, from my Catholic high school. I guess they were more academic and I am interested in this more as a cultural thing. But maybe it's the same.
Yes, Emma and John will go. Amanda and Curtis are going as well, Annette. Not sure if they are bringing the boys, though. Other friends from church are bringing their kids. It's important to me that my kids see that we can experience God in all kinds of ways. If the Episcopal church isn't the right thing for my kids, I want them to be equipped to find a different path.
I just got an email last night from the old pastor at the church I attended for a bit in Richmond - about this.
Want me to forward you it Nancy? I haven't had time to read it all - its LONG lol
lmk your email if you do
eta: I know I was a bit freaked when I finally got nerve up to walk upfront after service one day to see if I could feel something, then a ton of people started talking in tongues and I felt so uncomfortable lol and then felt lost in the way I really felt about the church - heck I consider myself still at a very young childs level with knowing what all is in the bible and how to 'read' it, who is who ect. So when people started talking in tongues and falling over, ya I was a bit wierded out, as I didn't expect any of that to happen lol
but I'd probably go to a revival as an observer and out of curiousity.
Normally I'd say "yes" (because right now my senior in high school is watching The Perfect Storm in marine bio) but honestly, this guy is a fake and evil, IMO. He's downright scary yelling and pushing people down and he's certainly not teaching what's in the Bible. I've looked into him recently and he's not anyone I'd want to expose my children to. Even *I* wouldn't want to go. Here's some more info.
"So when I need a financial breakthrough I don’t just pray and ask God for my financial breakthrough. I go into intercession and become a partner with the angels by petitioning the Father for the angels that are assigned to getting me money: “Father, give me the angels in heaven right now that are assigned to get me money and wealth. And let those angels be released on my behalf. Let them go into the four corners of the earth and gather me money."
During this visitation the pastor’s wife (it was an AOG church) got totally whacked by the Holy Ghost— she began running around barking like a dog or squawking like a chicken as a powerful prophetic spirit came on her.
Normally I'd say "yes" (because right now my senior in high school is watching The Perfect Storm in marine bio) but honestly, this guy is a fake and evil, IMO. He's downright scary yelling and pushing people down and he's certainly not teaching what's in the Bible. I've looked into him recently and he's not anyone I'd want to expose my children to. Even *I* wouldn't want to go. Here's some more info.
"So when I need a financial breakthrough I don’t just pray and ask God for my financial breakthrough. I go into intercession and become a partner with the angels by petitioning the Father for the angels that are assigned to getting me money: “Father, give me the angels in heaven right now that are assigned to get me money and wealth. And let those angels be released on my behalf. Let them go into the four corners of the earth and gather me money."
During this visitation the pastor’s wife (it was an AOG church) got totally whacked by the Holy Ghost— she began running around barking like a dog or squawking like a chicken as a powerful prophetic spirit came on her.
Here's the thing though. Yes, he is most likely a fake, however do you also believe that the experience of everyone there is fake? Is it all a show, or is it possible to have a true experience there? It is my belief that it IS possible to have a true religious experience even if there are many others there who are all in it for the show, because I believe that your connection with God is a personal one, and having someone there to act as intercessor is unnecessary.There are peopel there who will experience joy, and who am I to say that there expereince is not real, jsut because some crazy guy is the one leading the revival?
I did those field trips as well, from my Catholic high school. I guess they were more academic and I am interested in this more as a cultural thing. But maybe it's the same.
Yes, Emma and John will go. Amanda and Curtis are going as well, Annette. Not sure if they are bringing the boys, though. Other friends from church are bringing their kids. It's important to me that my kids see that we can experience God in all kinds of ways. If the Episcopal church isn't the right thing for my kids, I want them to be equipped to find a different path.
I would bring my kids too, I agree that exposure to all different things is super important! I was just curious how you felt!
dh and I considered ourselves pentacostal for quite some time (not so much now though, we're more middle of the road...though we do go to an AOG church)
yes, I'd say it was perfectly fine to go observe, though I wouldn't suggest sitting close to the front. Pastors like that tend to call people out, and that could become very uncomfortable for you.
Here's the thing though. Yes, he is most likely a fake, however do you also believe that the experience of everyone there is fake? Is it all a show, or is it possible to have a true experience there? It is my belief that it IS possible to have a true religious experience even if there are many others there who are all in it for the show, because I believe that your connection with God is a personal one, and having someone there to act as intercessor is unnecessary.There are peopel there who will experience joy, and who am I to say that there expereince is not real, jsut because some crazy guy is the one leading the revival?
My issue with going to a service led by a fake is that they aren't going to get an accurate picture of pentecost. If they are going to experience a culture then experience the real deal. Sure some people may have a real experience regardless of who is leading but you'll get a much clearer picture if you go to something legit.
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~*~Tiffany~*~
"Receive the children with reverence.
Educate them in love.
Send them forth in freedom."
~Rudolf Steiner
We went to an all black church and they welcomed us, so I would say that you will be welcome at this revival, as long as you participate to the extent of your comfort. (singing, etc)
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