Expert: Tom Schott - 7/24/2007

Question
Hello there.

 Yesterday, I went to a youth oriented church service.  It was a service for college aged people and young professionals.  There beliefs are based from the Assembly of God church.  I don't know if that is a Pentacostal/Charismatic church, but typically the protestant services are similar for the most part.  I am Catholic.
I have questions regarding the gifts of the Spirit-speaking in tongues because in part of the worship/prayer part of the service, this started to happen.  And of course, to my knowledge, you don't see usually see this happen in the Western Mass.  Basically, I really don't understand it, why or what the purpose of speaking in tongues is.  And frankly, it kind of made me uncomfortable.  I also thought it was incorrect the way it was done- everyone speaking at once in tongues initiated by the pastor calling everyone to do so.  Biblicaly, if I am correct, Paul specifically states that there should be an interpreter-two people. If not, then it is not edifying to the people around you or the church and he requests you not do so because it is then just rambling.  I think thats from I Cor 14.  Please correct me on any of this if I am wrong.  
Nonetheless, I talked to  a group of friends about this, who are strong Christians, primarily Baptists, but they don't speak in tongues themselves or really have been exposed to it.  One question I thought was good, that I asked an intelligent religous friend of mine, is 'why is it that this only occurs primarily these type of services, if its universal.'    I mean, I believe the Spirit is present in Episcopal, Catholic, non-denominationl, Methodist etc.   worship, but it would be odd if this experience were to happen in these settings.  His reply interesting when he thought most of it was due to "emotion" rather than the Spirit leading.  I agreed by what I saw last night at that service to some degree.  It looked dramatic and theatrical a bit after one laid hands and then the person collapsed during praying.  Of course being Catholic and going to Mass, seeing this was pretty strange to me. Hopefully, you can help me understand a bit more.
(sorry for the essay)

Answer
Hi Chris,

 I'll be brief, but I hope I can help. Tongues are regarded as a gift of the Spirit, which is Scriptural. Paul's admonition in 1Cor14 is really about praying with the "mind" as well as the Spirit, which is how people can justify many praying in tongues together.

 Tongues are predominant in charismatic congregations; it doesn't matter what faith: could be mainline Protestant or Catholic or one of the many Pentecostal strains. Being "slain in the Spirit"--falling on the floor--is also common in these services. I agree that all this is emotional, appealing to a certain kind of person, and sometimes theatrical, and it is a bit strange. But everything unfamiliar is strange, and I will not go so far as to say that the Spirit cannot work anyway he wants in whatever congregation he chooses.