Thus I believe this to be Godly praise and worship, that I would praise him in spirit and in truth, whith all that I am.

Now as far as your personal convictions, I would day it could be possiple that God was showing you that the worship band was not allowing the rest of the church to worship in truth and spirit, and perhaps no one in the band was either. Wow to be so controlling as to not let the body do this, is indeed a great sin. For it is by the veery prescence and spirit of God that helps us to grow in our walk with God. It’s hardly the pasturs sermon of the worship songs, though proper worship music and proper teachings help the spirit work in us more quickly. For example a song like Amazing Grace, will often bring the remberence of who and where we once were spiritualy and often even physically, a wretch that is. But alas did my redeemer die for me! The spirit of God then may begin to well up in us, we feel again and afresh his love for us. And often may begin to weep at the acknowledgment of his great love for us.

Another example is the sermon: Often I remember when I first started attending church, especially in those early days. God would often be teaching me something about him, or his word, often because this came mostly from the spirit, from talking and listening to God. I often needed and still need some confirmation. If the pastor is truely spirit led, he will say the few words in the right context to bring you the confirmation you need, even if what I needed to hear was perhaps only a comment and not an intended part of the sermon. And often when this happens I in one way or another get a feeling of agreement from Holy spirit. If there at these times, I feel no agreement I must keep seeking God for the truth. You see even a highly, anointed man gets attecked by satan, enough at times to speak what the devil wants him to speak rather than God. Remember always to intercede in prayer for your pastors and such.

I would also say it perhaps, was’nt so much you controlling the group of people, but rather that your were not allowing them to freely give praise, of perhaps not even allowing holy spirit to first move in you as to the type and tempo of music. You see it becomes a very religous setting.

And as far as tribal worship, yes its much like Godly worship. How can that be you ask. Well you see Satan can create noting, however since the first lie, he has been perverting all of God’s creation on earth through sin. You see God created beings to worship him. And as many suppose Satan was the head worship leader. Simply satan took the worship that was God’s and began directing it toward himself. So don’t by any means fear true worship.

And another note. Ever notice that it often seems that Satan seems to have a better influence than God in many places of the world. I tell you this is only because Satan worshipers, often worship with all that they are, they even commit sin as a form of worship. I mean these freaks get into it heavy.

However too much of the church don’t know how to worship very well, they are often held back. It is worship more so than even the spoken word of God that opens gates in the heavens and brings his glorious presence down to us, that we may indeed dwell in his presence, and he in us. Did you know that twirling is a form of worship, dancing, shouting, praising, blowing horns, declaring, and making all kinds of noise. But with God unlike Satan there should be some spirit led order to it.

I tell you the truth, if your church has invited God’s presence and then begin greiving the very spirit of God by trying to lead the body of christ, rather than letting the spirit of God do so. He will tell some to leave, he will convict and rebuke others. And in all of this if the church does not turn back to the lords spirit for direction, the gentle spirit of God will leave your church. And demonic spirits will take up residence. Spirits of religion, oppresion, controll, judgment, confusion, even sickness. Oh how satan likes to use things like judgment, and offense to be taken up in th members of the body. And then with out speaking a word, these same people rise up aginst others in their spirit, in agreement with demons, and begin to in this way cast a curse on others. People start getting sick and even dying.
This is why paul writes, he who does not discern correctly, the body of christ eats and drinks of the cup to his own damnation.

Hope it helps….. may you never stop worshipping and praising the one true God Amen.

And of course, while that may be sad to you, it is wonderfully exhilarating for me to be free of christian dogma and superstition

As far as my community understanding: I think my worship volunteers, especially the leaders, know that authenticity is key, and that means taking an uncomfortably close look at how and why we do what we do. As far as the church on a whole, probably not, as we rarely get to talk about the specifics of worship leadership in a large group setting. When we do teach on worship, I emphasize that worship is really between the community and God… those of us on stage are really just there to facilitate, to “start the conversation” and then get out of the way.