Is the Holy Spirit supposed to lead in all church gatherings?

1. 81

   PlanksandNailsposted 11 years ago

   Is the Holy Spirit supposed to lead in all church gatherings?
   
   There is sometimes a rare occasion where the pastor decides not do the sermon because he
   "feels the Holy Spirit is moving". Doesn't it beg the question, Isn't the Holy Spirit supposed to lead all of the church gatherings?

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2. 79

   Ronna Penningtonposted 11 years ago

   I wondered the same thing. In talking with my pastor, he explained that he always prays for guidance in the sermon to preach. The "Holy Spirit moving" meant that the pastor prepared a message but another message needed to be given instead. My next question was, if God is omniscient, doesn't He know ahead of time which message you should give. The pastor said that sometimes he felt like it was a test or challenge for him: would he give the prepared message or preach as led spontaneously. I think spontaneous preaching would scare the britches off me! So, yes, the Holy Spirit is supposed to lead all church gatherings, but sometimes the move may challenge the pastor  (or music director, etc).

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   1. 81

      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A closer inspection of the book of Acts reveals sporadic unprepared preaching in a non rhetorical way. It was dialogical, meaning that it was not a one way discourse to a passive audience. Acts 2:14-35, 7:1-53, 17:22-34.

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3. 61

   dianetrotterposted 11 years ago

   I know churches like that exist but I've never attended one.  Sounds like a good excuse when you are not prepared or sound really "spiritual."  The Holy Spirit should be working in the hearts and lives of all believers.  I don't understand what is meant by leading the church gathering. I don't want to be judgemental but it is an opportunity for pride to take over.  Reminds me of people calling themselves Apostle John or Bishop somebody.  This kind of stuff gives a pretentious air that could keep people from coming to Christ.

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   1. 81

      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The New Testament letters reveal what happens when Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts and minds of believers.The Word of God came from a participatory gathering  in a manner that was not a premeditated agenda (the intro,3-5 points,and conclusion).

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   2. 61

      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Planks I have visited several churches where someone spoke in tongues while the pastor spoke.  According to the Bible, a) if there is not an interpreter, one should not speak, b) the message should be edifying, and c) love is the greatest gift.

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4. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 11 years ago

   In my experience, yes. I used to go to one like that and a big lady would run up and down the aisles like a wild indian because she was supposedly filled with the holy spirit. But is the holy spirit a wild indian who babbles and carries on? I think she was just pretending. Even the pastor would pray and start in with "shamalalamamala" when he was "filled with the spirit". Again; if that really is the spirit, I'm not so sure he should be leading the gatherings. I would rather just have a human do it before the knives start coming out or something worse.

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   1. 81

      PlanksandNailsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What you are referring to is the Gnostic "Christianity" that is popular today, which derived from the ancient mystery religions of Babylon.

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   2. 72

      livingit4realposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Acts 2 answers the question. The Holy Spirit came into the gathering of believers or babblers of strange languages but He chose a spokesperson to speak plainly His message.  With sincere praying on one accord (Mt 18:20), He is in the midst.

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5. 73

   lone77starposted 11 years ago

   If the Holy Spirit isn't involved, then ego is.
   
   And ego is the master of this world.
   
   So, yes! The Holy Spirit should lead in all church gatherings and in life-in-general!

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6. 60

   Disappearingheadposted 11 years ago

   I suppose yes. However it seems to me rather presumptuous when a congregation "calls down the Holy Spirit", or prays "let your fire fall". They then assume this has happened which gives them licence to assume that the minister is speaking the mind of God, which nobody then questions. At the extreme end, we have people "slain in the Spirit", rolling about laughing like a drain, "drunk on the new wine", or barking like a chicken.
   
   Taking as examples the manifestation of the Father in Exodus, or the presence of his Spirit in Acts, He shows up in accordance with his purposes and not because the congregation think its a good idea to "call down the Holy Spirit" like some pagan rite to call up some deity.
   
   If Father's Spirit was truly in these congregations, people would know about it. What actually happens I think is so much self delusion and vanity.
   
   Until such a time as Exodus or Acts events do occur, then it seems sufficient that the minister asks the Father to direct him as to what to say and do.

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