A Fear of the Church

There are no doubt some churches where emotionalism runs rampant.  There are communities where the measure of a worship gathering is the emotional response.  The stronger the expressions of emotions, the more the Spirit is at work is something which might be said.  However, in so many of our mainline churches of the day, an emotional response on the part of someone is a fearful thing.  In the years of being out of the pulpit I have heard powerful testimonies which ended with a "thank you very much, now let's get back to the order of worship" kind of response.  I have also heard sermons in which the Holy Spirit was so present that people were on the edge of their seats eager to respond only to have the benediction pronounced.   

Being one who has led worship services for over forty years, I appreciate the need for worship that is intentional and orderly. The problem is that sometimes we are so married to the order of worship that the Holy Spirit has no room to slip into the room with a new plan.  At all costs the mainline church wants to avoid any appearance of being charismatic, or even evangelistic.  Of all my laments for our contemporary church, the loss of invitational sermons and an atmosphere that encourages people to make a personal response for Jesus is the greatest. The assumption seems to be that everyone who is in the church on Sunday morning is already locked in to being a disciple of Jesus.  I have always maintained there are too many who are Christians by assumption rather than decision.  

While there is nothing wrong with baptisms of infants and members of the annual Confirmation group, I long for the day when the baptismal waters are constantly being stirred because people are being touched to the core by the power of the Holy Spirit, the grace of God, and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.  A church that is not baptizing new believers needs to be asking "Why not?"  A church that is not encouraging people to experience something more in their spiritual journey is missing the mark.  A church afraid of people shedding tears of repentance has lost its way.