Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/28/2007

Question
IS THERE ANY BOOKS AND VERSES IN THE BIBLE THAT TALKS ABOUT RUNNING IN CHURCH? WHEN I FEEL THE LORD TOUCH ME IN A SPECIAL WAY I START BAWLING LIKE A BABY AND START RUNNING IN CHURCH PRAISING HIS NAME. MY PASTOR DON'T SEE ANY WRONG IN IT BUT THERE ARE MEMBERS THAT TALK BEHIND MY BACK AND CUT ME DOWN FOR DOING IT.

Answer
Hi Cleo,

Thank you for this question.  I am very sorry for this late answer.  I have several thoughts on this matter.

1.  There are no verses that I know of that specifically speak of running in church.

2.  Your pastor is the shepherd of that flock and is responsable for the conduct in your assembly.  His oppinion carries a lot of weight.

Hebrews 13:17
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  You need to be careful not to be doing this to draw attention to yourself.  You limit your spiritual reward by trying to show everyone how much you love God by your emotional display.

Matthew 6:5
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you,  They have their reward.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  Everything done in church must be done in order.  Your emotions should never draw attention away from preaching to watch what you are doing.

1 Corinthians 14:40
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Perhaps people are talking behind your back... but how do you know?  If they are, and you are doing everything right.... so what if they do?  The only problem would be if you are hurting your testimony by your actions because these are weaker brothers who do not understand what you are doing.

Romans 14:16
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don