Editor's Comment: To ensure credit where credit is due, Glen McGee wrote this post (side note: goosebumps ahead)- Fresh on the heels of North American Youth Congress 2015 it’s the Stuff Apostolics Like Recap of Events! Nah, just kiddin. We actually have finally crossed the threshold of being so far removed we have absolutely no idea who sang, preached, screamed, got wifed up or anything else that may have occurred. I've had a post on my mind for a while now and given that I spent last night looking at the Instagram hashtags from NAYC, and became very, very sad, I thought now was a good time to post it. Looking through Twitter and Instagram there are countless posts of excitement and zealous emotion for the time spent there. And why wouldn’t there be? When you live in a culture that’s founded on isolation from everything that surrounds you, and you’re constantly reminded that you’re “in the world, not of it,” it’s absolutely intoxicating to completely take ...
Joel, though I hardly know you, I know I love you.
ReplyDeleteI remember taking a new Christian to a UPCI event for the first time. The first thing she asked was, "what are all those men doing sitting up on the stage staring at everyone?" We didn't have chairs on our stage at our local assembly - (I think that's a trend we could all hop on board with, by the way). I died laughing though - I'd grown up seeing ministers on the platform and hadn't really thought about it - but look at it through the lens of someone who isn't accustomed to it and you'll realize how odd it actually is.
ReplyDeleteWhy have a stage? Lets just meet in circles and dicuss our watch tower magazines :)
ReplyDelete@John Paul:
ReplyDeleteWhat are you implying? I get the impression you are a troll on this blog.
Thanks Anonymous :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where the custom of ministers on the stage came from, but I always thought it was related to Peter standing up with the other 11 apostles backing him up. Sort of a statement of “yea we back this guy and his message”.
ReplyDeleteAhh. The obligatory middle chair that must be a few inches higher then the ones next to it. For the pastor, of course. Because he's more important?
ReplyDeleteI think some of it is simple logistics. If Bro Art is going to lead songs, Bro Bob is going to take up the offering and make announcements, Bro. Chad is going to lead prayer and Bro. Dave is preaching then it helps to have Bro. A, B, C and D near the pulpit. I know some churches to reserve the first pew for this.
ReplyDeleteIF the president of the United States shows up we have a special place for him to sit, If the man of God is to speak why not give him the same respect as the president, isn't the man of God suppose to lead and direct his flock.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with john, it only makes since (a,b,c and d to be near the pulpit.