March 28, 2008

Things About Bellevue That Embarrassed Me!

Risking the criticism that I am vindictive and angry, I was embarrassed when Joyce Rogers stood behind the pulpit turning toward her husband sitting on the stage and sang a tear-jerker gospel song before a teary eyed congregation, except for me of course.


I believe in all conservative Churches up to this point in time no public shows of affection (PSA) were allowed. PSAs were reserved for the privacy of the bedroom, which is a rule of decorum that is so foreign today as to be a joke.


Eyes that had never teared when the words of sufferings of Christ or the exaltation of his gracious love were spoken behind that sacred desk now flowed freely. Strong powerful men and staunchly ladies wept openly without shame, except for me of course.


I felt embarrassed for the Lord.


I often wondered when the order of worship was planned who decided that Joyce would sing to her husband. (There were several occasions which shows the pragmatic approach of worship planning, It had worked before it will work again) Who gave the word? Jim Whitmire? Dr Rogers? Joyce?


Could Dr Rogers say no to Joyce? "Joyce, you know this makes me feel uncomfortable and it just doesn't seem right for this kind of affection in a worship service. Joyce, would Lee or Pollard allow this?"


Did she do this without anyone knowing it? Wade what do you think?

1 comment:

WatchingHISstory said...

I thoughthat this post from NBBCOF was relevant to this issue. See if you see the irony.

"... Then Steve Gaines had to do what he does nearly every week and make it about him. He jumped up and immediately broke into an "impromptu" a cappella solo and the congregation soon joined him. Please, pastor, I'm trying to give you some helpful advice here. It's not about you! (Nor is it about Jamie, but The Jamie Show has become a Bellevue staple.) These little spur-of-the-moment, pastoral solos, tacked onto the end of a congregational hymn or inserted into the middle of a sermon are not "impromptu," they unnecessarily and inappropriately call attention to yourself, and IMO they are not conducive to a positive worship experience."