Thanks for the thoughts guys - they're really helpful.
On further reflection I think one of the places where it started going wrong for me was upon visiting a "famous revival that I will not name" in around 2000. We'd heard of it in England, had the albums and used some of their songs, so I was really looking forward to going out there however once there, and despite being keen to join in, I just found the whole experience over the top and too intense. It was the first time I had ever walked out of a worship service because I felt uncomfortable.
Having had my eyes opened to what I thought was over the top worship I then started noticing it in my own church and especially in evening meetings with atmospheric lights, smoke machines etc. From the band you are in probably the best place to be able to watch whats going on around the room and I started to like what I saw less and less. I should probably add it wasn't just my church - I used to tour occasionally with a relatively well known worship leader and see the same things happening in lots of churches around northern Europe.
I am now in a church that uses liturgy and although I do lead worship on occasions I am very careful not to "go with the flow". I make sure there's a short gap between songs just so that people don't get too caught up in the atmosphere and even use arrangements. For where I'm at this feels much more comfortable. What I am not sure, however, is whether this is me finding I prefer another "style" of worship or whether there is something deeper going on. I can't help but wonder if the change I have felt might be based upon changing views of God or theology, but if this is the case I am not sure how my views about God have changed! Is style of worship linked to theology or is it something different?
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