More on hand shaking a/o or hugging during worship service

I assume your one of those people who do not like hugs, do not like their personal space invaded by anyone, if you believe hugs are shallow. I on the other hand do not beleive hugs are shallow, otherwise I would never hug my husband, children or grandchildren. Apparently you have a certain list of worship items and when you've completed that list your done. And personal interaction, making people feel welcome and loved isn't on your list.
In the past there have been times when this time at church was very meaningful to me, to feel God's love through His people His peple sharing His love. Now I feel sorry for anyone who does not feel loved by their church enough to want to greet them, and love them in return.

 

If you can't communicate with and express love for other christians because we are told to do it in scripture, then don't. But it is an offering up to God to be in obedience is worship.

 

GREET one another with an holy kiss......Don't think I have ever kissed another man whilst greeting him, but have shook many a hand,,don't hug either..maybe that is an English thing!

Certainly nothing to do with worship!

Cheers,

Jim

 

Love does not require that ANYONE press their body against another person they are not married to (or related to). :godisgood:

 

Wow, is this ever way too harsh. IMO, you owe Saggywoman an apology.

 

People telling me I can't be worshiping, or the people of my church and myself are fake christians owe me an apology. Just because some chose not to worship 2 does not mean we choose not too.

 

Agreed. Also, it depends on how close you are to the people around you. Sometimes we simply say "hello." Others times, we shake hands. And still others, we give each other a hug and/or kiss. [But no Joe, we don't "press" our bodies together.]

Lastly, it depends on cultural mores. Every place is different. Here, some people would be offended if I stuck out my hand for a handshake when they were expecting a hug.

 

Yes it is a cultural thing. Here in Latin America, we do hug - even other men, but it's a "guy hug" and with the women, we kiss/kiss on the cheek.

 

Please do not put words in my mouth. I did not say that we should not communicate to others. I did not say that we should not express love for others.

I did state that greeting each other is not worship IMHO. I stand by that comment. However, this is not a debate thread and I have neither the time nor inclination to go thru definitions & types of worship (regulative, normative, etc.).

Bottom line, I think a time for greeting each other (especially visitors) is worthwhile. The way that we do this is at the very start of the service before the call to worship.

 

Agreed :thumbs: Good post!
Any Pastor dictating/teaching that a congregation should hug during a service, OR should not hug (opposite OR same sex-no difference) at church is breaking many of God's commands. He's way out of line imo, though he may mean well.

Sad you can see others from your sound booth uncomfortable about the coerced affection. I'm not saying all of the folks are, maybe they just don't like hugging but it may be more than that. If they were coerced or forced by a bad person ever in life, to show affection in a non-wholesome way and it escalated past the hugging stage, then this may mimick that experience (Rape victims,molestation etc.. ) Affection and love needs to be consentual, not coerced or manipulated.

Matthew 15:3*But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Matthew 5:37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one

Proverbs 4:23*Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life

 

Glad you said this.

 

A. I don't mind hugs. I don't mind handshakes. I just don't really get the purpose of it during the worship service. I hug before and after. I greet before and after. If you want pure worship, keep yourself undefiled, and take care of widows and orphans.

B. I find it interesting that you think it is either black or white (and assume quite a bit) in saying--shallow = space invaders and not shallow = hugs and handshakes during the service. If you want to go black and white, you must come in right as the service starts and leave right when it is over.

C. Sharing His Love cannot be even begun hardly in the context of the worship service. That makes it for one or two hours on Sunday, and the rest of the week, there is no love. Have you gone AWOL? In fact, love for my fellow man that is done during the week is enhanced by Sunday worship.

 

By the way, you sound angry.