Who says memorizing prayers are to be frowned upon? Is not memorization part of the learning process? How can one learn,if he or she cannot memorize what it is important? If you are saying simply memorizing prayers without taking into consideration what they mean,okay that is totally different.
I don’t think he is referring to condemnation of memorization. Only in replacing the spontaneous outpouring of prayer from the heart, which is a central aspect of Pentecostal prayer even prayer in public gatherings, with memorized prayer. You may disagree and that is fine, but Pentecostals came out of the mainline churches because they were dissatisfied with simply going through the motions. Praying memorized prayer because that is what is scheduled for today to say can easily devolve into a mechanical attitude. That is what Pentecostals are afraid of. We’re not afraid of the Lord’s Prayer. We love the Lord’s Prayer.
Nicea, let me give you an example of a possible prayer before a Bible study.
Yes, I’ve always done the Our Father. Usually after the main prayer that the Pastor does.
Well here is am exception to that. I grew up in the 1930’s and '40"s attending a Pentecostal church. We said the Lords Prayer every Sunday AM service. Then we all repeated the Psalm that began, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in the sight oh Lord my Strenght and my Redeemer, Ames”. Forgot where that is found but will never forget the words even though I am almost 80 years old now.
I see I made a mistake when I generalized about PentecostalsWell here is am exception to that. I grew up in the 1930’s and '40"s attending a Pentecostal church. We said the Lords Prayer every Sunday AM service. Then we all repeated the Psalm that began, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in the sight oh Lord my Strenght and my Redeemer, Ames”. Forgot where that is found but will never forget the words even though I am almost 80 years old now.
. As one myself, I should have known never to make a sweeping generalization! Pentecostals come in all forms and varieties. I think it is safe to say that whether memorized prayer is involved or not in a Pentecostal service that it will never replace spontaneous prayer that comes directly from the heart.Yeah this is pretty much my experience. Maybe its an American thing?? And why does it seem like some Catholics think that some Protestants don’t believe in having crosses in church? I’ve come across some Catholics who have made it seem like if you go into a Protestant church you’d be hard pressed to find a cross anywhere in the building. This is just not true. There are crosses in Protestant churches.I am not a part of Assemblies of God, but I go to a non denominational church in Chicago and I think you are right that most American churches are more relaxed when it comes to that stuff. I have seen many people do the cross after we pray in church. Of course, the majority do not. My friend does it and no one has said anything about it. It isn’t frowned upon and I have never heard anyone complain about it. My pastor once said no one is to be judged if they cross themselves, decide to wear a veil, etc. They are still there to worship God.
Someone mentioned that wearing a cross was frowned upon in their church. I never heard that but that is crazy! I don’t see why any Christian would be upset that another is wearing a cross. I wear a cross every day and there are a ton of people who go to my church that wear crosses. I don’t really see crucifixes, but if someone were to wear it I would definitely not judge them.
We have a cross one one side of our church building and one on top. We also have a big cross near the entrance of the church and one actually inside right in front of the baptismal.
We definitely acknowledge Christmas. I thought not acknowledging Christmas was a Jehovah Witness thing?
We do the Our Father prayer. Not every week but we definitely do do it. At my church it is taught to all the Sunday school kids starting with the 3 and 4 year olds.
Not all Italian Evangelicals. The ADI specifically. And yes it’s very extreme. But the reasoning is that it’s too much of a “Catholic” holiday. Indeed, many ADI churches refuse to name their churches. So, for example, our home church in Catania was simply referred to as “the church at Via Susanna.” They would refer to it by mentioning the street name. I think this also is a bit extreme. But considering that the majority of churchgoers are probably ex-Catholics, it’s not the least bit surprising.
Women are allowed to prophesy. I’m not sure of their policy concerning women preachers, however. But yes, veils. A small white one covering over the hair.
Hahaha in Italian we would call such a person sviata - meaning they lost their way. My mother hates visiting those kinds of churches too. She’s gotten fond of wearing make up, cutting her hair, and wearing pants.
I don’t have the slightest clue. I want to say no because I’ve never heard pacifism being discussed, and my father had a stint in the Italian army and is proud of it. But I don’t know what their official position is.
That’s not it. It’s that they generally want to avoid going through motions instead of having a real, personal relationship. Pentecostalism in part is a response against repetitive liturgy and going through the motions, as Itwin mentioned.
Ok. I guess the same idea is behind some American women wearing hats in church.
Yes, I’ve never been taught pacifism either. Though I’ve read that the first Pentecostals did teach non-violence and was just curious.
Just cross-checked with the folks:
Plus a few more books…1 Esdras and 3 Macc…in my Oxford Study Bible 2 Esdras and 4 Macc is included as some Orthodox use them as scripture…more than “one Psalm” was “removed” by the counsel of Trent from what the Orthodox use…I use “remove” as I consider the charge of “removing books” against Protestants in the same light as I regard the book Catholics “removed” from their editions of scripture…just a ‘quirk’ in my personality.
Probably most of us do lean socially conservative (not inconsistent with pacifism, btw). But I know my church has a good many Democrats, and a few Greens and Libertarians (I’m one of the Libertarians). If I heard much social conservatism expressed from the pulpit, I’d probably walk, and so would a good many others. But I were to take a guess (and it is a guess because he hasn’t said, but I know him fairly well), I’d say our pastor probably agrees a lot with Tony Campolo.
Agreed on the ecumenism. I would welcome more of it, and I know my pastor would too, as he’s a big advocate of it.
Also true, but I think that’s a good thing, at least up to a point. My AG pastors are fans of Rob Bell and Donald Miller. I’m ok with that, so am I.
