In recent years, churches across the world have added anything from strobe lights to bumping base to their worship services, which have attracted a variety of people. But as Christians, is the “show” becoming more import than the act of worshipping.
Recently, a church in Atlanta added a new act to their worship service. Embassy Church International announced that they would be adding aerialists as a regular part of their services.
Apostle Bryan Meadows, the head pastor and founder of Embassy Church International, made the announcement on Instagram, sharing photos and video of an aerialist at the Christian conference.
“@EmbassyCity fully plans on making aerialists a FULL PART of our normal worship experience! We endeavor to create a culture driven by the creativity and character of Christ! This was one of my favorite highlights!!! #everygiftexpressed#CREATE18 (SWIPE LEFT)”
The videos and photos came from the CREATE conference that Embassy Church International put on at the beginning of April. They detailed the conference as “an unconventional confluence of the arts, culture, media, entertainment, and technology” that created a space to allow creatives to show their creative talents through ministry.
Meadows has defended their mission time and time again, stating that all types of creatives should be able to show their talents during worship services.
“Because they shouldn’t have to go to the circus to use the gifts that God gave them! The church should be able to create space so that everyone can use their gifts to glorify God… People may be distracted for a couple weeks but they will get used to it!” he wrote. “If people can get used to all of the other foolery that happens in church… I’m sure they can get used to somebody genuinely trying to use their gifts to worship God.”
Many Christians have voiced concerns over the use of aerialists in worship services. Ann Brock, who blogs on issues in the black church, said the use of aerlists could distract from the actual purpose of worship.
“I’m afraid we have strayed far from worship for the sake of entertainment. I of all people believe God the Creator made us in his image. He being creator made us creative. However, there has been a recent burden of what our ‘Worship’ services are becoming. In an attempt to compete with the world’s presentation we have flooded the church with lights, stages and performances. I’m all for creative expression but what happens when the PRODUCTION overshadows the PRAISE?” Brock wrote.
Adding, “Things like this may be appropriate for an artistic night where people are able to express their worship through various methods. However, doing this during regular service, to me, is just too much. I completely understand that to be present and sense the anointing (if there is one) can change one’s perspective, but there has become too much emphasis on entertainment and enticing people to come in.”
Others voiced concern over the outfits of aerialists.
One critic stated that she was, “all for using all our gifts in the house of God,” but that the aerialist should wear more modest clothing because, “it can be as distracting as a male worshipper topless.”
Meadows heard her point and responded: “Sure. That can be discussed. That’s all wisdom!”
The website for Embassy Church International states that Meadows serves as “apostolic covering” for leaders in both North America and India. They describe him as an “Apostolic voice to this generation … known for his gift of revelation, apostolic insight, innovative strategies and his tremendous heart to see transformation established in cities.”
“His purpose is to ACTIVATE gifts, draw out DESTINY, and maximize the potential in this GENERATION and in GENERATIONS to come. To RAISE up and DEPLOY a GENERATION that can EFFECTIVELY invade the MARKETPLACE.”
Embassy City Church states that they “believe that God is raising up a Davidic generation that is called to defeat 21st century giants. As the oil of the Messiah is smeared upon this generation, the restoration of signs, wonders, miracles, gifts, callings, and offices will rise up like the Church has never seen before. We are called to be stewards of that coming wave of glory.”
The church believes that they must “lay the foundation for this next shift, from denominational to dimensional. As the 21st century Church we must be apostolic in our approach, and not just invade different geographical regions but also various world systems and sectors, such as: government, business, entertainment, family, arts and media, and education. This is how this generation will rise and establish the Throne of our God, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
You can watch the complete video fo the aerialist performance below. It begins around the 15-minute mark.
Create 2018: Friday Night!
Posted by Embassy International Worship Center on Friday, April 6, 2018