What Is Pentecostal Worship Like?

[thephilosopher6]

Has anyone ever been to a Pentecostal church service before or is currently a Pentecostal Christian who actively attends a Pentecostal church? I am mainly talking about Trinitarian Pentecostals, not Oneness, although I’ve heard people say they’re the true 'holy rollers" and that their services can get quite “eccentric”. I am mostly just asking about Pentecostal denominations like that of the Assemblies of God or the Foursquare Gospel churches and others alike. What are they like? Is it similar to a Charismatic Catholic service?

I am just interested to know because my cousin recently was baptized in an Assemblies of God church and invited me to come to a service with him as a visitor. I’m considering going and I want to know what to expect.

Also, I am very aware of what the Church teaches so I will indeed be careful and watch out for doctrinal errors and will refrain from communion if they happen to offer it (which to my knowledge about Pentecostals, is only once a month). If I do go, I intend to go just as a visitor and hope to better understand Pentecostals. After all, they are our separated brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[lanman87]

Has anyone ever been to a Pentecostal church service before or is currently a Pentecostal Christian who actively attends a Pentecostal church? I am mainly talking about Trinitarian Pentecostals, not Oneness, although I’ve heard people say they’re the true 'holy rollers" and that their services can get quite “eccentric”. I am mostly just asking about Pentecostal denominations like that of the Assemblies of God or the Foursquare Gospel churches and others alike. What are they like? Is it similar to a Charismatic Catholic service?

I am just interested to know because my cousin recently was baptized in an Assemblies of God church and invited me to come to a service with him as a visitor. I’m considering going and I want to know what to expect.

Also, I am very aware of what the Church teaches so I will indeed be careful and watch out for doctrinal errors and will refrain from communion if they happen to offer it (which to my knowledge about Pentecostals, is only once a month). If I do go, I intend to go just as a visitor and hope to better understand Pentecostals. After all, they are our separated brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you are on facebook you can watch a service of Calvary Assembly of God in Decatur Alabama. This is the largest Assembly of God in Alabama. My nephew plays guitar and his wife sings as part of their praise team.

https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryLiveAL/

 

[DaveBj]

You can go on YouTube and search on “pentecostal praise and worship service”. Some of the videos are short snippets, but you’ll get the idea.

Full disclosure – I was raised in an “old-time” Trinitarian Pentecostal denomination, and I was in MA-A-A-ANY services of this type as I was growing up.

 

[Vonsalza]

Has anyone ever been to a Pentecostal church service before or is currently a Pentecostal Christian who actively attends a Pentecostal church? I am mainly talking about Trinitarian Pentecostals,

“Pentecostal” labels the largest general group within Protestantism, so the spectrum of how they “do church” is equally wide.

A genuine trinitarian Pentecostal service may be harder to find. All of them in my area are non-trinitarians and I live in a place where they have substantial representation of the population.

I do think charismatic Catholic mass is starting to spread a bit too. You may wish to consider that as well.

 

[Kielbasi]

Has anyone ever been to a Pentecostal church service before or is currently a Pentecostal Christian who actively attends a Pentecostal church?

Pentecostal Christians aren’t a homogenous group, their worship practices are across the board.

Why not ask your cousin as to what to wear and what to expect?

 

[pianistclare]

Will you extend a similar invitation, and will he accept?

 

[ltwin]

Has anyone ever been to a Pentecostal church service before or is currently a Pentecostal Christian who actively attends a Pentecostal church?

Lifelong Pentecostal here. I’ve attended independent Pentecostal churches as well as Pentecostal Holiness Churches. I even seriously considered going to seminary and being ordained at one point, but ultimately decided that I wanted to become a history teacher.

I am mainly talking about Trinitarian Pentecostals, not Oneness, although I’ve heard people say they’re the true 'holy rollers" and that their services can get quite “eccentric”.

Well, because of their nontrinitarian beliefs they can tend to get ecumenically isolated, so differences can become magnified.

I am mostly just asking about Pentecostal denominations like that of the Assemblies of God or the Foursquare Gospel churches and others alike. What are they like? Is it similar to a Charismatic Catholic service?

Never been to a Catholic Charismatic service, so can’t say. You should expect the following layout:

There will be a call to worship/opening prayer. There will be a time of congregational singing, colloquially referred to as “praise and worship” (we know the entire service is about worship ). It will last about 30 minutes to an hour (depends). The music will almost certainly be contemporary with songs written by Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, etc. There also may be more traditional Protestant hymns sung but usually in a more contemporary musical style. There is going to be a band with guitar, drums, and keyboard. The brass section is optional. There may be a choir. Hymbooks will probably not be used (unless you’re going to a very traditional Pentecostal church), but words will be projected.

Praise and worship will include raising of hands in the orans posture (or something that’s supposed to be the orans posture ), may include loud or quite speaking in tongues or shouting or weeping or praying. (This really depends. Some may be as quite and dignified as a Methodist church).

Some churches may feature “running the aisles” or “dancing in the Spirit”, which is just what it sounds like–running around the church or dancing in the church. The dancing is not suppose to be carnal dancing but done under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This is considered an act of worship and is supposed to be spontaneous as the Spirit moves.

The church may have an area at the front called the “altar” that people can come and pray during the praise and worship time. If someone goes up there, it is usually to receive Christ or receive Spirit baptism or to repent of a sin or to just ask the Lord for something or healing. People will go up and pray with that person and perhaps give spiritual advice when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

At some point in the service, there may be a message in tongues or a prophecy given. This is considered a spontaneous message from God laid on the heart of someone in the congregation. Usually, these deal with run of the mill consolations and encouragements and warnings about spiritual laxity. If its a message in tongues, someone will need to interpret that message.

The service will then transition from praise and worship to the sermon with a few minutes of greeting time (you go around and hug people close to you) and a collection will be taken. You may get a sermonette on tithing from the preacher at this time.

There may be some special singing from someone in the congregation.

The sermon will (or should be) based on a particular biblical passage. There is no lectionary or set readings.Likely, this sermon will be part of a broader series based on a biblical book or concept. Just as likely, the pastor will say that Lord laid a particular message on his heart.

Pentecostal preachers can be very lively and enthusiastic when they preach, but this new generation aren’t really that different from your run of the mill Baptist preachers in terms of how they “deliver” their sermons.

There may be an invitation to accept Christ at the end of the sermon or there may be a general call to receive prayer from anyone who needs it. If someone is sick or has a loved one who is sick, they may be anointed with oil and prayed for. If someone is in the hospital, a cloth will be anointed and sent to them.

When receiving prayer by the laying on of hands, some people may faint or fall to the floor. This is called being slain in the Spirit or falling under the power. We believe it is simply being overwhelmed by the presence of God.

There usually isn’t any food after the service, unless its a special occasion.

 

[DaveBj]

Lifelong Pentecostal here. . . snip

Very good summary, better than I could have done.

 

[ltwin]

Pentecostal Christians aren’t a homogenous group, their worship practices are across the board.

Why not ask your cousin as to what to wear and what to expect?

For thephilosopher6, as long as you wear something that is “business casual” you should be fine. If you are female, you should be ok wearing pants if you’re going to an AG or Foursquare type church. If you’re attending a more old school Holiness type church, you may be out of place if you don’t wear a dress or skirt. Buns are optional.

 

[twf]

My wife was Pentecostal. I attended many services with her in the DR (her home country). It was much as Itwin describes but longer - sermon would run well over an hour by itself. The pastor would emphasize certain points by shouting. Sometimes he would break into a little jig in the middle of the sermon. The band would be on hand to start up the trumpet or piano to emphasize his words at key moments. Sometimes he would start repeating the same word or phrase repeatedly at which point the congregants would rise, clap their hands, shout amens etc. My first experience was pretty negative as two men tried to drag me into the aisle to make me dance, but thankfully an usher intervened. That only happened once and otherwise I felt very welcomed. Passions run very deep. Another time a visiting Prophetess led the service. She would walk through the audience, wave her hand and shout “bam!” and entire rows of people would collapse. To be honest it creeped me out. My wife insisted it was the Spirit. I am skeptical. Frankly it struck me as something very similar to mass hypnosis.

That all being said, there was a genuine love for Christ.

 

[larrry]

The best thing is there might be people who are prophetic. And when there are a group of prophetic people there is a tangible spiritual anointing like in 1 Sam 19 19. It is like a energy that endues you . some call goosebumps. And makes the experience of worship even more personal and intimacy. Kim Klement’s ministry was one type. Where you look forward to the next meeting. Because you feel refreshed and renewed

 

[Vonsalza]

I’ve been to much of the same.

I felt a lot of aspects were textbook “group mania”.

To each their own, but I doubt I’ll shake and yell when I stand before God. I’ll likely intuitively follow the example of pretty much everyone else in scripture and put my face in the dirt.

 

[ltwin]

I’ve been to much of the same.

I felt a lot of aspects were textbook “group mania”.

To each their own, but I doubt I’ll shake and yell when I stand before God. I’ll likely intuitively follow the example of pretty much everyone else in scripture and put my face in the dirt.

As in everything, it’s about balance. Yes, people do prostrate themselves before God in Scripture, and we should prostrate ourselves before God. But the Psalms also tell us in several places to shout with joy unto the Lord, and we have the example of David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant. To each his own, but there are biblical reasons Pentecostals do what we do.

 

[Brassring]

I was Assemblies of God for seventeen years. There is a formula, but there are variables.

The formula is typically 20-30 minutes of singing (“worship”), then 5-10 minutes of announcements, then collections, then the pastor takes over and quotes a reading or two, provides some sermon and exegesis, then an alter call. When the alter call comes, it’s almost over.

The variables are the fervor of the music, the amount of audience participation (shouting, amens, etc.), the amount of prayer, and whether the prayer is corporate, individual, or gibberish(“tongues”).

Sometimes, there’s also a snack (“communion”).

 

[Vonsalza]

As in everything, it’s about balance. Yes, people do prostrate themselves before God in Scripture, and we should prostrate ourselves before God. But the Psalms also tell us in several places to shout with joy unto the Lord, and we have the example of David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant. To each his own, but there are biblical reasons Pentecostals do what we do.

Sure, but not everything about David’s life is prescriptive rather than simply descriptive. Looks at the late husband of Solomon’s mom

I’d personally love to have you as a fellow member of the same continuous, historical Church that wrote the NT and compiled that same bible.

No “apostasy” or “restart” explanation required in the context of the latter half of Matt 16:18. That’s what won me over from the Baptists. So it has its perks. Thanks for your posts.

 

[thephilosopher6]

Will you extend a similar invitation, and will he accept?

I do.

 

[DaveBj]

I’ve been to much of the same.

I felt a lot of aspects were textbook “group mania”.

To each their own, but I doubt I’ll shake and yell when I stand before God. I’ll likely intuitively follow the example of pretty much everyone else in scripture and put my face in the dirt.

 

[thephilosopher6]

As in everything, it’s about balance. Yes, people do prostrate themselves before God in Scripture, and we should prostrate ourselves before God. But the Psalms also tell us in several places to shout with joy unto the Lord, and we have the example of David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant. To each his own, but there are biblical reasons Pentecostals do what we do.

And there are biblical reasons why Catholics do what we do my friend.

 

[Padres1969]

Lifelong Pentecostal here. I’ve attended independent Pentecostal churches as well as Pentecostal Holiness Churches. I even seriously considered going to seminary and being ordained at one point, but ultimately decided that I wanted to become a history teacher.

Well, because of their nontrinitarian beliefs they can tend to get ecumenically isolated, so differences can become magnified.

Never been to a Catholic Charismatic service, so can’t say. You should expect the following layout:

There will be a call to worship/opening prayer. There will be a time of congregational singing, colloquially referred to as “praise and worship” (we know the entire service is about worship ). It will last about 30 minutes to an hour (depends). The music will almost certainly be contemporary with songs written by Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, etc. There also may be more traditional Protestant hymns sung but usually in a more contemporary musical style. There is going to be a band with guitar, drums, and keyboard. The brass section is optional. There may be a choir. Hymbooks will probably not be used (unless you’re going to a very traditional Pentecostal church), but words will be projected.

Praise and worship will include raising of hands in the orans posture (or something that’s supposed to be the orans posture ), may include loud or quite speaking in tongues or shouting or weeping or praying. (This really depends. Some may be as quite and dignified as a Methodist church).

Some churches may feature “running the aisles” or “dancing in the Spirit”, which is just what it sounds like–running around the church or dancing in the church. The dancing is not suppose to be carnal dancing but done under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This is considered an act of worship and is supposed to be spontaneous as the Spirit moves.

The church may have an area at the front called the “altar” that people can come and pray during the praise and worship time. If someone goes up there, it is usually to receive Christ or receive Spirit baptism or to repent of a sin or to just ask the Lord for something or healing. People will go up and pray with that person and perhaps give spiritual advice when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

At some point in the service, there may be a message in tongues or a prophecy given. This is considered a spontaneous message from God laid on the heart of someone in the congregation. Usually, these deal with run of the mill consolations and encouragements and warnings about spiritual laxity. If its a message in tongues, someone will need to interpret that message.

The service will then transition from praise and worship to the sermon with a few minutes of greeting time (you go around and hug people close to you) and a collection will be taken. You may get a sermonette on tithing from the preacher at this time.

There may be some special singing from someone in the congregation.

The sermon will (or should be) based on a particular biblical passage. There is no lectionary or set readings.Likely, this sermon will be part of a broader series based on a biblical book or concept. Just as likely, the pastor will say that Lord laid a particular message on his heart.
**
Pentecostal preachers can** be very lively and enthusiastic when they preach, but this new generation aren’t really that different from your run of the mill Baptist preachers in terms of how they “deliver” their sermons.

There may be an invitation to accept Christ at the end of the sermon or there may be a general call to receive prayer from anyone who needs it. If someone is sick or has a loved one who is sick, they may be anointed with oil and prayed for. If someone is in the hospital, a cloth will be anointed and sent to them.

When receiving prayer by the laying on of hands, some people may faint or fall to the floor. This is called being slain in the Spirit or falling under the power. We believe it is simply being overwhelmed by the presence of God.

There usually isn’t any food after the service, unless its a special occasion.

My limited experience is that Pentacostal Preachers are definitely more into exclamations. An “Amen” or an “Alleluia” thrown in at regular intervals compared to Baptist preachers.

 

[punisherthunder]

I’ve had two very unpleasant experiences with the Pentecostal service, in my younger “wondering Christian years”:

• The church was Pentecostal and sort of formal in the dress and manners at the time. Having a guest speaker during the Sunday service was breaking the norm some for me, but the guy went from mild mannered, to a shirtless…ranting…raving…screaming…red-faced lunatic in under ten minutes. The big thing was him saying “Ahhhh, that Pope is some shyster!” as he yelled all over the stage.

-Experience #2 had me at a semi-formal Pentecostal church. The minister referred to Catholics as the “Cephas clique” in one of those cute, smart-a** ways. It went from bad to worse when their whole rap was about how Catholics are cannibals. He did however keep his shirt on, unlike the other chap. Yes, I did see one of those hideous signs that lists everyone who is going to Hell, up in their church lobby. It listed Catholics, Mormons, gays, occultists, democrats, etc. I’m sure if you Google such a sign, you’ll see what I mean.