Tongue Trouble

If there is one thing that our local church service is not, it is loud. We have a particular organization in our service that is rarely changed, and; even then, it doesn't often involve much of what some might call vigor or vitality. We worship in quiet, other than the music and songs. Rarely is there a comment or voice from the pews, and the preacher's voice does not raise above a normal pitch on general occasions.
Some people, it seems, are bothered by such things. They believe in loud, fervent worship, maybe a chorus of amens, or speaking in tongues. What do you believe? Should we change our worship style? Is this calm and collected form of worship not led by the Spirit? Do we need some energy and vigor to show the new life in us?

This is a question that others have asked before us. Paul actually addresses this question to the Corinthians in the first book that he wrote to them. Paul tells them in chapter fourteen that they are not to be disorderly, nor does he wish they loud if it is not of use. He tells them that it is better to speak five words in a useful way than ten thousand words in a tongue. He also tells us that things need to be organized in order to be helpful. A flute or harp needs guidance and distinct notes in order to be understood and put to use, he claims, and in such a way the worship needs to be guided to be useful and understood. This does not mean that speaking in tongues is useless. Not at all. What he is saying is that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers, but that in a gathering of believers there is to be understanding and order. He goes on to tell us that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. And being His children, we are to follow in His footsteps.

Does this mean that we are to give up speaking in tongues? Not at all. This gift, as Paul describes it, is to be used as a witness for unbelievers, and he firmly agrees with it. Indeed, Paul says he has spoken in tongues himself more than all of them. He goes on to explain that it is not useful if no one can understand it and therefore it is not edifying for the church. He tells them that there are much more useful gifts for them to have in their ministry to believers. He makes a point to tell them that only two or three should speak and the rest are to listen and weigh what is being said.

So what does that leave us with? Should we add speaking in tongues to our worship service? Thinking about it seriously leads us to a more basic question: why do we ask about speaking in tongues? Is it to build up the church? Is it to worship God? Or is it that we are curious and want to see what this looks like for ourselves? For many of us, it may just be the curiosity of seeing something unusual that attracts us to this.

In the end, if we attend a church that is filled with verbal affirmation or not, what matters is the heart of each of the people gathered there. If it is an issue that bothers part of our body of believers, than I believe it has become unprofitable to the unity in Christ. Yet we are also told to not forsake it entirely as it is useful for ministry. All I can say is this: We are reminded to be mature in our thinking; which may mean being discerning in wether we are actually serving Christ or just putting on a good show. And remember, Jesus had quite the words for those who just put on a 'good show.'