I'm A Pentecostal
This video from CLC is causing quite the stir on YouTube . . . with over 65,000 views. Wow!
It's also stirring debate in the notes section between non-believers and believers/defenders of the song. Unfortunately, to me a lot of the debate seems to be between the same two or three people with the occasional comment by someone about how thrilled they are to be Pentecostal and how this is the best song they've ever heard.
While I have nothing against this song and while I'm proud to be an Apostolic, I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say this is the best song I've ever heard. In fact, it's not even a particularly good example of Pentecostal music. While it's a great "shouting song" (and who doesn't love a good shouting song) I don't feel like there's a lot of Spirit in it in the same way a beautiful worship song with bring the Spirit.
Also, what's with the comment about Indiana being the birthplace of true Pentecostalism (again in the notes section)?
I'm sorry, I must have missed when they moved Jerusalem, Topeka and Azusa Street to Indiana. "Long live the Urshan legacy" ??? I think Bro. Urshan would probably take the approach of "long live the truth of the gospel." ~sigh~
I have no doubt that this video will garner a lot of attention but will it do anything to touch people outside of our circle? Or will it just reinforce people's image of us? They say no press is bad . . . but what do you think? Does this type of thing just make us look closeminded, unaccepting of others, or self-worshipful? Or is this exactly they type of tool we need to reach new people?
The issue isn't the song, the issue is with the way some Apostolic EC users talk about our domination. It always happens on EC, whether its about a song or a standard or something else. You get a bunch of adolescent Apostolics, who only know what they've been told, and not what they've discovered from their own personal walk with Jesus, and they start spreading the gospel of standards, styles of worship, and dress, and by the time their done they end up converting more people to atheism then to Christianity. I know its not just adolescents, their adults as well who are no better. I love my domination, I just wish that some of the youth in the UPC would sound like robots who only knew what their parents and pastors tell them about God. I wish they would engage in a deep daily relationship with Him, so that they could find out who they are in Him, and why they believe what they believe. Please don't take my words the wrong way, there are many passionate, purpose driven Pentecostals, both young and old, its just that EC seems to be full of a lot of adolescents and young adults who know more about standards then a relationship. But maybe I'm wrong, who knows.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Fri Aug 24, 04:54:00 PM 2007
What are "Apostolic EC users"?
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sat Aug 25, 02:07:00 PM 2007
DB, the song rubs me wrong... even though it will likely be sung in our churches and I will smile and say "Bless the Lord", I feel exactly the same way about the words as I would if they were singing "I'm a Baptist and I am not ashamed..." It is simply self praise veiled as worship to God.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sat Aug 25, 07:27:00 PM 2007
Someone told me recently of one of our Pentecostal pioneers who was grieved because she felt we were losing sight of what should be our main focus - Jesus. She asked someone to count the number of times the minister used the name of Jesus in his sermons - and he would see that it gets fewer and fewer. I see the same things in songs...this one doesn't seem to glorify Him, but to justify our actions in what we call worship. Sometimes I am afraid it is just hype that the audience gets caught up into, with no lasting effects on the heart. I am not sure God meant for our "worship" to be such that they are compared to a mosh pit...
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sun Aug 26, 08:37:00 AM 2007
This song really disturbs me. I suppose I wouldn't mind it if it were only sung in one of our churches, no visitors present and no web capabability available. I have many friends of other denominations - this would offend them to the point that they would never darken our doors. I have worked too hard to try to win these people - to be Christ to them, to win them over with my sincerity. I feel like I've taken two steps forward, and now because of this, four steps back. Please, oh please, music ministers, THINK about your potential audience and realize that nothing is private anymore.
Posted by
aahrens |
Mon Aug 27, 01:43:00 PM 2007
Amen, aahrens! This song actually embarrasses me - I am not ashamed to be Pentecostal, but I am not happy to be associated with the attitude of this song - and even though I worship my God deeply and with all my heart, I don't roll around on the floor. I don't like millions thinking that I feel this way.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Tue Aug 28, 08:04:00 PM 2007
Some of the postings regarding this song are so strange to me. For those who have never rolled on the floor - would you, if prompted by God? Would you run? Dance? Why not? I have only been in church for about 12 years - and without the prompting of any music, preaching, or evangelism, each time I remember what the Lord saved me personally from, a spirit of worship and thanksgiving wells up within me; I can't help but worship. Furthermore, I go to church to worship God...not to give eyeservice to a potential visitor. I am there because I still need Him...more today than yesterday. I still need to feel His touch, I still need to be admonished by the preaching, I still need the convicting power of His presence to change me. No matter how long we sit on pews, we'll never out grow the need to be close to Him. Visitors need to see the reality of God...that He is good, and that He changes people, and that His spirit within me compels me to worship outwardly. With that said, it's important to be friendly, open, and inviting to visitors, because we have what they want...that's why they came. But let's face it - we won't have to worry about a visitor getting a bad impression if we've already spent time with Him like we should. All they'll is His reflection in you and me. In my (albeit short) experience, I've come to realize that the people who get tripped up over silly things like standards, obedience, tithing, church attendance, and music like this song, probably have much bigger spiritual issues to deal with. We are called to be holy (inside AND outside), separated (we're not supposed to look like the current celebrities, or act like Baptists; we're not supposed to over look immorality and base "alternate lifestyles" with the blanket of "God is love" or "His grace is suffienct"); we're called to be consecrated and dedicated. You and I are admonished to "seek out your own salvation with FEAR and TREMBLING." God is love...but He is also just. Being consecrated and dedicated means we pray, fast, and read our bibles often and with a heart toward change. Wearing modest clothing, sans jewelry, makeup, and pretention; men being clean cut and shave, ladies with uncut hair; not going to movies or bars; not lying, cheating, stealing - this is our "reasonable service" and isn't hard and it IS biblical. I'll never understand those who stuggle with these things. Why are you still attending an Apostolic church? There are hundreds of other denominations out there that give you the "freedom" to live how you want...and still be saved. (That amazes me, too. Doesn't that kind of attitude make Christ's cross to none effect?)
One last thing for you to think about: one time David danced before the Lord so exuberantly that he danced out of his clothes...in public...to the shame of his wife (who, by the way, was standing in the palace, away from the crowd, not participating - there's a connection there, can you spot it?). When she confronted David, he answered by saying "it was before the Lord I played...." The consequence to her anger and embarrassment over David's worship along with other reasons) caused David to turn from her, and she was barren.
When I worship, when I pray, when I praise, when I sing, inside the church and outside of it - because if you shout and dance during a service, but not in your own prayer closet, you're no better than the pharisees praying on the street corner before the eyes of men - it is before the Lord that I play. Please don't mind me.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Thu Aug 30, 01:54:00 PM 2007
This song is really shallow in content, horizontal, and not great musically. This reminds me of another song we all had a great time singing at camps about twenty years ago. Something I would want to sing now? Not so much.
Posted by
Jennifer Johnson |
Tue Sep 04, 03:49:00 AM 2007
It's to the tune of "I'm A Redneck Woman".
Nuff said.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Thu Sep 06, 01:52:00 AM 2007
Churches that believe less than the fullness will be offended because it has too much doctrine in it. The truth is it takes doctrine to save us, so it is a powerful song that promotes an individual can change. If you want dead church stay where you are or be changed. The ones who criticize just remember it's the anointing that breaks the yoke. Many times people need to be offended in order to change. Jesus said there would be those who would be offended but did he change to keep from offending them? An anointed song written by a wonderful man of God whom i personally know and admire.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sun Sep 16, 10:46:00 AM 2007
very well done on this song!!!
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sat Jan 10, 02:32:00 PM 2009
I am not UPC I do not use the name Jesus in my sermons over and over. Truth be told, i love this song. When i do sing this son,( at my home) i actually leave the Apostolic part out.
By the way, i can prove this religion wrong a million times.
Father-Son and Holy Ghost, are 3 different spirits.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sat Jan 10, 02:39:00 PM 2009
I was raised in a UPC church and I know serve God in a church that is not connected to a religous organization, and we follow the bible to the "T", and I've not found yet where worship music should promote a religon or one's self, gospel music defeats the purpose if it glorifies us. When we simply lift him up and sing about how good God is , then his presence comes down and moves on sinner and saint. This song represents an attitude and spirit that has been a stumblingblock for many people in our world. The world will not be offended by the song, but they will definetely feel that they would never be able to fit into our click. It would be better to sing a song called Thank God I'm not what I used to be, at least pride wouldn't be the first impression people get. I pray that people who are hungry for real things will be blinded and not ever see or hear this song.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sat Feb 28, 12:26:00 AM 2009