Featured Patriotic Worship

As A Retired Pastor...

...I must confesss, that when I was working full time as a church pastor, I only held "patriotic" services on the weekends that warranted it [July 4th, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day]. I see nothing wrong with incorporating the meaning of the reasons for these special days into the service on Sunday.

I appreciate your view too, so, good luck on finding a church that doesn't do this.

 

This is not for the Glory of God but to pack the pews.

 

Ok? then don't do it. Of course creepy avatars always help with credibility in any discussion.

 

I see nothing wrong with patriotic celebrations in church. It is a time when we acknowledge God's blessings on our country; we recognize the Judeo-Christian origins which undergird the laws of our nation and states; and invoke His future blessings.

It is a perfect opportunity to call our nation back to God. It is a perfect time for humility and gratitude.

 

Patriotic services in the church have a 200 year history in this country. Acknowledging God in our lives, in our homes and in our country is appropriate. If people want to live dual lives where there are aspects of their life that does not include God then they are free to do it. But to insist that everyone else do it because they are against any form of patriotism inside or outside of the church is disingenuous. Those who are against patriotic services are usually left wing and anti-patriotism.

 

He just explained it to you in the post you quoted. What part of that did you not understand?

 

Then you need to go back and read it again. What you are doing is called "Denial of a valid conclusion" which is a tactic of what is known as "conversational Terrorism". You failed to address anything he said. You do not want to deal with the valid views of others. You only want to demonize those who do not agree with you.

 

There is nothing so devastating to the world than when Christianity and Nationalism are fused.

Since I've explained my views on this issue elsewhere in this forum, I'll just say patriotism/nationalism have no place in Christian worship. While we can, and should, honor those who have served faithfully we must be careful to not distract from the worship of God.

 

I agree whole heartedly. When the local body meets in worship it should be for that purpose alone.

I loved my mother as much as humanly possible but I don't like "Mothers Day" sermons!

I loved my father as much as humanly possible but I don't like "Fathers Day" sermons!

I love my country as much as is humanly possible but I don't want any patriotic theme in worship service.

I love the Christmas season and thinking about the true meaning of the Incarnation but I don't like living Christmas Trees or Santa Claus in the Church.

The joy of celebrating of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is beyond my ability to express but I don't like passion plays and man staggering down the Church aisle with a cross on which he will imitate the suffering of Jesus Christ for my sins and the sins of all His people.

 

I agree! History shows the disaster of this marriage! I am afraid that some Christians want to make the USA a new Israel!

My father served in the military in WWI. I had 5 brothers who served in WWII. One did not come home; three others have joined him. I served in service during the Korean Police action. Only my baby brother, my sister, and my mother did not serve in the military. I honor the military and what they do and have done for this country. I honor the sacrifice of their families. It breaks my heart when I hear of a young men or woman being killed or maimed in the middle east and I ask myself WHY after 10 years. But no love we have for our country or our comrades in arms can compare with the love we should have for the Triune God and His Church. And we should never confuse the two or conflate the two.

 

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I totally agree! :thumbs: And the same with mother's day, father's day and any other day. I think it is fine if we want to come together for a special time other then the regular morning service and celebrate any of those but the regular service should be for the teaching of the word and proclaiming Christ not celebrating some day or earthly person.

 

Good question. Absolutely not.

 

As a layperson, I share your belief with a provision.....

Each of these, whether Mother's Day or Memorial Day, should be used, in special ways to serve the Lord and give the glory to God. For example, on Mother's Day, the sermon can be based on scriptures reminding mothers they should rear their children in the ways they should go, so they won't depart from them. And/or remind children of Ephesians 6:1-3.

Or, on a patriotic day, sing patriotic hymns that praise the Lord. Preach sermons on Christ's victory over sin, and/or how God brings defeat to sinful nations. Or, perhaps, base a sermon on Ephesians 6:10-18. I can't see anything wrong with a congregation joining in a special prayer asking God's help in bringing our nation back to it's Christian roots. Or, reminding folks of the human cost that has been paid to ensure those same folks can continue to acknowledge the price Jesus Christ paid of the cross for each of them.

If, on the other hand, the Lord takes second place to "honors" given to people and or themes, then there is definitely something wrong. During a traditional Sunday morning worship service, I see no harm in asking mother's to raise their hands or stand for a moment, before proceeding to the next item on the schedule (bulletin, list or whatever you call the order of service). However, if the worship hour is devoted to recognizing individual mothers, presenting them with some token, or anything else of like nature, that's a different story.

I suspect you share that provision......