Why do they worship differently?

[khmsct99]

Because the various denominations all have various opinions and interpretations on Scripture, tradition, and even the teachings of Jesus.

You may be surprised to learn that there are Baptist churches where people will cut a jig in the aisle in a minute. Today, these churches are often called “Bapticostal.”

To answer your questions, Pentecostals take quite seriously scripture passages that instruct believers to clap hands and shout to God (Psalm 47:1).

We dance because Psalm 150:4 says, “Praise him with the tambourine and dance . . .” There are other places in Scripture where believers danced before the Lord in acts of worship, such as Miriam the prophetess leading the women of Israel dancing at the Red Sea and King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 15:20; 2 Samuel 6).

Simply put, different churches emphasize what they want to emphasize. I don’t have a problem with that, but I do get irritated when people can’t seem to recognize that their church/tradition/brand are also choosing to emphasize some things and to neglect others.

Ok! I remember reading about Miriam in there! Okay. Thanks everyone!

 

[khmsct99]

Interesting discussion folks.

In reading through the replies - I began thinking that why we worship differently (which is an extremely broad question) tends to come down to emphasis.
In most protestant churches the emphasis is on the “liturgy of the word”. In the Catholic and Orthodox, the emphasis is on the liturgy of the Eucharist.

So - Why is that?

In my very personal opinion it is because we as Catholics (and our Orthodox brothers) have the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist where the other churches do not. So while half of our worship service is devoted to the word and to teaching, our anticipation is not focused on the word, but on the very presence - the body and blood, soul and divinity - of our Lord and King.
I am sorry to say that our protestant brothers simply do not have this. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit is not among them…Truly He is. We have all seen the working of the Spirit in many of our protestant brothers and sisters. But the physical presence of the Lord is simply not there.
As Catholics it is as if we sit in His throne room every Sunday…Protestants cannot do this.
What IS there is His word in Scripture. So this is what our dear brothers in Christ hold tightly to…This is where the emphasis is…They cannot truly partake in the liturgy of the Eucharist, so they concentrate on the liturgy of the Word.

Now I know that many Lutheran and Episcopal churches have liturgical services that resemble the mass - but the OP is coming from a baptist background and so my reply is framed to address that viewpoint.

Just some thoughts…

Peace
James

Thank you! I understand. Also, dress code. In the church I attend (I’m not sure about other Baptist churches) but we do not have a dress code. We can wear whatever we want. They don’t wear ties or suits, you rarely see that.

I remember a few months ago, coming out of church… and we went to the mall. We got in the escalator and these 2 women behind me said, “Look at them! I can’t believe people would wear that to church”

I was wearing a jacket and blue jeans… which is what everyone at the church I attend wears.

 

[JRKH]

Thank you! I understand. Also, dress code. In the church I attend (I’m not sure about other Baptist churches) but we do not have a dress code. We can wear whatever we want. They don’t wear ties or suits, you rarely see that.

lol - sitting here in my coat and tie - ready to go to Early mass…I had to chuckle because I am a rarity at my parish. It seems these days that, like you, people seem to just wear whatever they feel like.

I try not to pass judgement on others…At least they are in church……but I just can’t go to Sunday mass like that.
I don’t always wear a tie…but I always dress up to visit my King on His day.

Peace
James

 

[khmsct99]

lol - sitting here in my coat and tie - ready to go to Early mass…I had to chuckle because I am a rarity at my parish. It seems these days that, like you, people seem to just wear whatever they feel like.

I try not to pass judgement on others…At least they are in church……but I just can’t go to Sunday mass like that.
I don’t always wear a tie…but I always dress up to visit my King on His day.

Peace
James

I don’t like wearing the casual blue jeans and t-shirt to church… In my eyes it seems a bit disrespectful because we go to church to worship God and we wear everyday clothes. We actually had to order tshirts for today. It is just a regular tshirt but I think the better clothing, is better.

 

[JRKH]

I don’t like wearing the casual blue jeans and t-shirt to church… In my eyes it seems a bit disrespectful because we go to church to worship God and we wear everyday clothes. We actually had to order tshirts for today. It is just a regular tshirt but I think the better clothing, is better.

Yes -
Now weekday mass I’m good with just going “as is”. I think if these masses as more “workman” (and women) masses. Years ago there was usually a mass a 6 or 6:30 AM and if people could, they would attend before work…
Of course this was a the days of the Latin mass and it would be a “low” mass…no music - no homily - nothing fancy.
This very early mass seems to have gone away…
I don’t know of any parishes near me who have such an early weekday mass - ours is at 8:30 am.

Anyway - Weekday masses I’m good with casual (to a point ), Sunday mass - time to dress up.

Happy Easter

Peace
James

 

[dronald]

I don’t like wearing the casual blue jeans and t-shirt to church… In my eyes it seems a bit disrespectful because we go to church to worship God and we wear everyday clothes. We actually had to order tshirts for today. It is just a regular tshirt but I think the better clothing, is better.

Unless you’re homeless or something.

 

[JRKH]

Unless you’re homeless or something.

Right - and this is why we should not be too overly concerned about what we wee others wearing.

In my estimation, we should teach and encourage the wearing of your best – whatever that might be given your circumstances – but we should never attach a stigma to one mode of dress or another (to a point of course).

Peace
James

 

[khmsct99]

Right - and this is why we should not be too overly concerned about what we wee others wearing.

In my estimation, we should teach and encourage the wearing of your best – whatever that might be given your circumstances – but we should never attach a stigma to one mode of dress or another (to a point of course).

Peace
James

The problem is that I have seen people go to church that normally wouldn’t look like going to church. They had purple mohawks, big earrings that were black, black clothing and makeup, and they weren’t listening to the church they were too busy on there phones and talking to her friends who also dressed like that.

Happy Easter to everyone!

 

[rcwitness]

The problem is that I have seen people go to church that normally wouldn’t look like going to church. They had purple mohawks, big earrings that were black, black clothing and makeup, and they weren’t listening to the church they were too busy on there phones and talking to her friends who also dressed like that.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Maybe we have jurisdiction over our own children on how to dress for Mass, but others are free to dress as they desire.

We all grow in our knowledge of what is pleasing to God. We are obviously not all at the same point. Whoever is walking more sincere in their reverence to God will show the spiritual fruits toward others as Jesus and His apostles did,… Kindness, gentleness, love, etc.

If we see someone acting (seemingly) irreverent in these types of ways, its better to learn about them and their faith through friendship and then it must be the Spirit that reveals what is behind their behavior. You may be surprized to find someone with great faith and love for the Lord behind those fashions. They may have overcome more obsticles in their faith walk than someone who prides themselves on their outer appearence.

But it is good to dress proper and the cell phone use, or talking over the Mass is definitely not sincere!

Peace
Michael

 

[andrewstx]

I don’t wear a suit to Mass, and I think no one else in my parish does either. But some wear dress pants and a sports jacket. Most do not except on the rare occasions it is cold here in Texas.

I am to be honest obese, and have had a stroke. It is difficult for me to dress and I need assistance. So buttoning a collar and wearing a tie is out of the question. I can’t even button a shirt without help. So I often wear a western shirt with snaps. And nice, expensive dressy jeans. Of course never a cowboy hat in church! But since I am balding I wear a hat before and after church.

 

[Francis_C_1]

I smiled reading the recent posts about dress code. It is the same here in Scotland lots of jeans seen during mass. I used to wear jeans a lot but now I am older I try to make an effort. Not a suit but usually dress trousers and a shirt, thin jumper on top if cold or usually one of those combined jumper shirt things you get now a days. I had family (not Catholic) saying your not going to church like that when I have put on jeans to go to the vigil mass on a Saturday

 

[EvangelCatholic]

I remember attending Mass in Catholic churches to promote the Big Brother program [made a short speech after the benediction]. In more than one parish celebrated the Mass with evangelical-like singing where one row of pews swayed to the right while the pew behind leaned to the left creating a constant motion of prayer and song.

Some Catholics on CAF would be surprised by how the Mass is celebrated in different parishes.

 

[JRKH]

I remember attending Mass in Catholic churches to promote the Big Brother program [made a short speech after the benediction]. In more than one parish celebrated the Mass with evangelical-like singing where one row of pews swayed to the right while the pew behind leaned to the left creating a constant motion of prayer and song.

Some Catholics on CAF would be surprised by how the Mass is celebrated in different parishes.

Surprised? No - probably not. Dismayed to Nauseated - that would be another story.
I’ve seen some pretty horrendous abuses posted about…

Peace
James

 

[Faithdancer]

Up until about a year ago I was a card carrying Roman Catholic. Now, I’m simply a Christian. Since moving to my current home area, I’ve attending services at AG, Baptist, Non-denominational, Evangelical Free, Grace Brethren, and Anglican churches. Other than the Anglicans, which are liturgical and confessional, the others are very similar in worship style and their statements of faith are practically identical I think the reverence with which one approaches the Lord’s Supper and the desire one has to commune with Christ are key to what one receives from it.

Nearly all the churches I’ve mentioned have music I can actually follow and sing with.
As far as the confessional and more liturgical churches, as some here have already pointed out some approach Roman Catholicism in worship style, sacerdotalism, etc.

Other than that, I don’t believe Christ is the exclusive property of any particular church nor is He confined in a church building, thank God!

(I am well educated in Roman Catholic dogma, by the way, and I’m not going to debate it here or respond to any personal questions or remarks. Thanks in advance!)

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Surprised? No - probably not. Dismayed to Nauseated - that would be another story.
I’ve seen some pretty horrendous abuses posted about…

Peace
James

What may be “horrendous” to you is meaningful worship to others. Let’s try to think toleration and personal preference rather than “nauseated”

 

[Faithdancer]

What may be “horrendous” to you is meaningful worship to others. Let’s try to think toleration and personal preference rather than “nauseated”

 

[Razanir]

To answer your questions, Pentecostals take quite seriously scripture passages that instruct believers to clap hands and shout to God (Psalm 47:1).

Oh, trust me. If you’ve ever been to the Easter Vigil, you’d know Catholics get that as well. That Gloria. It’s just that as Catholics, we also see a time for solemn worship as well.

I don’t like wearing the casual blue jeans and t-shirt to church… In my eyes it seems a bit disrespectful because we go to church to worship God and we wear everyday clothes. We actually had to order tshirts for today. It is just a regular tshirt but I think the better clothing, is better.

I typically go with a polo and jeans. Although I go all out with a shirt and tie for Christmas and Easter.

 

[JRKH]

What may be “horrendous” to you is meaningful worship to others. Let’s try to think toleration and personal preference rather than “nauseated”

Tolerance is one thing - - I’ve no problem with tolerance.
Abuses on the other hand are another matter.
It is abuses that I was referring to in my post.

Peace
James

 

[Faithdancer]

Thank you! I understand. Also, dress code. In the church I attend (I’m not sure about other Baptist churches) but we do not have a dress code. We can wear whatever we want. They don’t wear ties or suits, you rarely see that.

I remember a few months ago, coming out of church… and we went to the mall. We got in the escalator and these 2 women behind me said, “Look at them! I can’t believe people would wear that to church”

I was wearing a jacket and blue jeans… which is what everyone at the church I attend wears.

I have a thing about men not wearing hats in church- but that’s in Scripture.
I attended an outdoor service today which was nice except the sun was right in my face. Rather than put my stetson back on, I moved my folding chair over to the shade. It wasn’t long before a number of others joined me there.
As far as getting really dressy, it is nice. I usually wear a collared shirt and bolo tie (Western!) and my dressier boots. In winter I’ll wear a dress jacket.
I do admire the Pentecostal preacher look.
Finally- I’ll be attending Cowboy Church at the rodeo next weekend. I don’t expect to see many fellows dressed in Armani there.

 

[Faithdancer]

Tolerance is one thing - - I’ve no problem with tolerance.
Abuses on the other hand are another matter.
It is abuses that I was referring to in my post.

Peace
James

I used to think all the frantic running about during the “Sign of Peace” was abusive. Funny, I don’t see that much in other churches, maybe just a couple, when “Please stand and greet those around you” becomes a mosh pit. (I’m dating myself)