I have a dear, dear friend that I love to worship with whenever I get the chance.  He’s an older gentlemen, not “showy” at all, very humble and quiet in spirit; but it’s OBVIOUS he is in total communion with the Lord and in a state of worship. (Of course, worship is more than just song, but I’m referencing song.)

He worships with his eyes closed – always – never an exception; even when it’s a new song and he doesn’t know the words – he will just listen.  I mentioned that I observed that particular trait about him one time and he looked at me amused.  He told me that if he looked at the worship team he would actually be distracted from the Lord and caught up in all that was taking place on stage. 

Funny, we now call it a stage…we used to call it a “choir loft.”   I grew up in a church with a choir in a choir loft.  I never remember being distracted by the choir – they were all dressed alike in choir robes, singing beautifully (and spirited), holding their little black binders of music sheets.      

I love my current church, and the ”praise and worship team,” but I do find myself being distracted.   I know there’s a difference between ”corporate” worship and personal worship, but somehow corporate worship seemed more focused when the “worship team” wasn’t ”front and center”, on a ”stage”, in a kind of ”performance” mode. 

 (Btw,  I’m NOT anti-contemporary Christian music.  I have a CD case full of it in my car.  However I do love the old hymns, as well.)   

What is most interesting in all the SGM stories is this identical thread, especially among us sisters:  realize abuses at SGM, get up the courage to leave SGM, curl up in fetal position on Sunday mornings, viscerally react to SGM music, fear leadership in other worshiping bodies.

This is more important than many realize.  To have that sort of emotional reaction?  Just not the norm in your typical “just not the church for me” church-leaving.

When we visited SGM churches, (I’m an apostate Mormon, Smith-family, high cult-radar settings), the hair on my neck stood up.  The music seemed too designed to me, too intent on taking me somewhere emotionally.  (I prefer very contemporary music, old hymns, so it wasn’t the style–rabbit trail:  have y’all investigated Indelible Grace music?).

We are told to gather together for worship.  Church offices are described in the Word.  However we interpret that is fine.

But look what happens to many post-SGM.  Gathering together, trusting elders, worshiping with music becomes terrifying.

SGM supporters, open your eyes.  WHO IS GIVING THE CUP OF WATER, AND WHO IS CAUSING THE LITTLE ONES TO SIN??? 

Mark 9:40 ff:  I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.   And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.

I see a dripping ladle in the hands of many on this site.  But I’m sensing a millstone approaching for some pastors.  What have you done to cause the beloved of Jesus to be so hurt and afraid of his own people?

Shame.  Shame.

Video Skype is outstanding. I work with my partners in different parts of the world on a daily basis. And it is cheap —- well like it is free — better than cheap.

FSGP, what is happening to your wife is to be expected.  Love and grace plus the Holy Spirit will get her through.  I still don’t understand what true worship means, or maybe I find more of that in the quiet.  The Lord is going to be faithful to turn this experience into good for Mrs. Former.  It just takes time.  All us ladies are here if she wants to talk.  I’ll be praying especially for her this week! 

Because you both were involved in leadership, Mrs. Former might struggle more because she was in more deeply.  Wonder if Mrs. Irv can help?  Irv was a former pastor as well.  Maybe there are more specific problems that they would both understand better.  I am so grateful that my husband and I were only within the deeper “circle” for a short time – the damage too our lives would have been much greater if we had stayed.  Those of you who saw more might need a different sort of counsel than those of us who knew instinctively that something was wrong but couldn’t prove anything.  Just a thought.  God bless! 

If she wants to email to talk with someone, I am available (just let me know she’s Mrs. FSGP or some sort of notice so it doesn’t find its was into my junk mailbox.) db604406@wcupa.edu

The Missus is not alone.  If it weren’t for the Holy Spirit, I’d still be curled up in a fetal position under the covers on Sunday mornings.  He promised never to leave or forsake us.  For a while, He just curled up there with me and held me in His everlasting arms as my heart and mind went numb.  I wanted nothing to do with church or the music I’d once loved.  After a time, He took me by the hand and led me, blindfolded, to places I’d never dreamed of.

When it comes to music, fabulous stuff was written way before SGM, outside of SGM, and will continue.   Listen to good stuff, wherever it comes from, whichever genre it represents, if it ministers to you.  If it doesn’t — change the station!

Y’all are in our prayers — and in His arms.

It might help for her to chat with Canary.  Canary has a gift for ministering to women.  Her contact info is listed on the blog.

The music thing is completely understandable.  I kind of vascillate there myself somewhat.  When I hear Chris L’s voice singing “how high and how wide” is God’s love for us on “Chosen Treasure” I celebrate that truth yet grieve for how that is NOT the nature of the worship songs we heard as we were leaving.  “Grace upon Grace” ?  yeah, no.

anyway, I want to invite Mrs. Former to email anytime, or just know that she is being lifted up in caring prayers.