Church Talk

Interesting sermon today talking about the "miracle" or "sign" gifts. Pastor said there are basically four approaches churches take on these gifts (talking in tongues, healing gifts, and interpreting tongues). The charasmatic/pentacostal approach is once you become a Christian, at some point the holy spirit comes and a manifestation of that is you speak in tongues. There is cessationist theory which states that those gift were important to the early church but they are no more, those gifts have ended. The third theory is the Third Wave, which is symbolized by the Vineyard churches in that they believe those gifts have ended but now they are back and they come instantly when you become a Christian. The fourth theory on these gifts are probably where most Christian churches are today. It's called Open but Cautious. They believe in all the gifts but feel most of the time they are not displayed within true Biblical standards as evidenced by the early church. The Pastor went on to say our church does not practice or teach these gifts because of their potential to disrupt the church. He said even within the pastorial staff there are people from many different backgrounds and they would rather unify under the major things they be split apart by the minor things. I can't disagree with that thinking. Even the few times I've been to an AG church, I can't say that I've ever witnessed anyone speaking in tongues. I think it would be very annoying. Pastor also talked about something called the "Toronto Blessing" where people break out in laughter or start barking like dogs because they are filled with the spirit. My question is, if these things are not a blessing to all or serve to glorify God, what good are they? I don't doubt that they happen. I don't doubt that some are genuine. I just don't get it.