lighting candles

[Steven Stone]

I have a person in my church that feels like we should light candles at every service. They say it represents the Holy Spirit. Though the candles are very beautiful when lit and adds to the decor of the service, I don't understand the religious significance. Can anyone help me with this?

[Gina Stevenson]

I have a person in my church that feels like we should light candles at every service. They say it represents the Holy Spirit. Though the candles are very beautiful when lit and adds to the decor of the service, I don't understand the religious significance. Can anyone help me with this?

Are they from a Roman Catholic background? Seems anytime there has been a reason to step inside an RC [no, not Royal Crown cola ;)] church, there have been candles going towards the front ... or somewhere in the back ... seems, too, that they're usually in little red or gold containers [signifying what, I couldn't be sure; maybe someone knows if there's any significance to the color(s)].

[LoraineStanton]

My guess is that it would have something to do with the flame descending on Jesus' followers at Pentecost. I don't understand why this person thinks candles are necessary at every service.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Here's a Catholic site that answers the question of why they light candles:
http://www.cptryon.org/ask/ask/candles.html

Still Catholic, but more general:
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/candles.htm

I don't see any reason why Nazarenes should not light candles, but there is no mandate that suggests that it is required or even important to our worship.

However, even though we only light candles during Advent, I do kind of like the symbolism.


I have a person in my church that feels like we should light candles at every service. They say it represents the Holy Spirit. Though the candles are very beautiful when lit and adds to the decor of the service, I don't understand the religious significance. Can anyone help me with this?

[Andrea Larabee]

My first thought to this is the safety factor. I have been in two churches now where there was a candle around the pulpit somewhere on a regular Sunday basis. One pastor was really into his sermon and he went to step off the stage and his shoulder bumped the large candle stand. It went swaying but he caught it. It really was disrupting. The audience was gasping.

The other time, the pastor also was into his sermon and stepped off the stage and honestly got within one inch of the flames. By the way, fabric softener is flammable! (There's a warning on the back of Bounce Dryer Sheet boxes) But someone hollered out at him and it was all okay. But again another disruption.

I like crucifixes. I do not own one personally nor does the church I attend have one hanging anywhere. But now in then I'll run into one in an antique shop or something and it just reminds me of why I am saved and free.

On a final note, I don't like too much symbolism going on. I think it's spiritually dangerous! Though having candles lit in the sanctuary is very nice occasionally.

I am not this person's judge, but i wonder if he/she is simply desiring more of the Holy Spirit in their life?

[Gina Stevenson]

Here's a Catholic site that answers the question of why they light candles:
http://www.cptryon.org/ask/ask/candles.html

Still Catholic, but more general:
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/candles.htm

I don't see any reason why Nazarenes should not light candles, but there is no mandate that suggests that it is required or even important to our worship.

However, even though we only light candles during Advent, I do kind of like the symbolism.

Agreed, I see no reason why we may not light candles ... fragrance ... atmosphere ... biblical history indicates it's been done before ... it's just that we mostly don't except during advent ... or maybe lent. Wouldn't at all mind if more of it was done, tho' not necessary every service ... love the ambience candles create. ;)

[Mark Metcalfe]

On a final note, I don't like too much symbolism going on. I think it's spiritually dangerous!

My guess is that the danger you suppose has to do with people worshipping
the symbol, instead of using the symbol to draw closer to God? There is
that danger (c.f. the bronze serpent).

On the other hand, symbols represent higher truths, and are designed
to remind us or cause us to consider these truths. I wrote a note in
here somewhere called "Prose, Poetry, and Dance." "There comes
a time when prose must give way to poetry, and poetry to the dance."

Some things are best "said" without words.

Mark

[Gina Stevenson]

"There comes a time when prose must give way to poetry, and poetry to the dance."

Some things are best "said" without words.

Mark

'Reminds me ... tho' I've forgotten who it was that is reputed to have said something like: "Use every opportunity you have to spread the gospel ... if necessary, use words."

[Alisa Stoll]

'Reminds me ... tho' I've forgotten who it was that is reputed to have said something like: "Use every opportunity you have to spread the gospel ... if necessary, use words."

The correct quote is: Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words
and the author was St. Francis of Assiai.

I thought it was but did a web look up.

We had a situation once where the candle was tipping. During prayer I quietly went up and blew it out. I minimized the distraction and the potention for burning. We used to light those every Sunday - When we moved to the new Sanctuary, we didn't move the table the candles were on. So we haven't done the candles in quite a while. Don't recall anyone mentioning the absense. In fact, I didn't think of it until now.

Having experienced a candle fire at home, I wouldn't recommend it for a church.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

i have seen candles used in a variety of ways in a Protestant service.

one - advent
two - having a white candle on the communion table and lit each Sunday that someone accepted Christ that week.
three - having two beside the communion symbols and lit each service to draw the eye to the display - for a reminder.
four - around the platform for atmosphere - to signal that it is time to worshp
five - to symbolize the Holy Spirit and Pentecost
six - to symbolize the Holy White Pure Light of Christ - He is the Light of the World
seven - to remind us to blaze for Him
eight - remind us of the flame that purifies us
nine - for ritual
ten -
Again, i, for me, it goes back to the culture of those worshipping with you and the meanings that these symbols have for that time and place.

I remember when KCFC built their beautiful new Sanctuary - with that gorgeous river effect flowing into their baptristy - there were some who wanted it flowing every service for the River of Life. It was beautiful and i loved it. It proved to be too expensive - i think it only flows during a baptism service, now.

i am a multi sensory kind of person...i, personally, like effects around me. It is normal in my home to have music, candles or diffuser, food - ect at the same time.

If i am studying - i have one kind of atmosphere
If i am sleeping - i have another
If i am preparing my heart for worship (even in my home) i have an atmosphere.....

It helps me to stay focused on the task at hand.

i think that when the sanctuary is the same week after week (and ours is more so that way with me in school and not having the time to be creative) it creates an atmosphere where it is easier to sleep through service or the brain go off creating grocery lists during the sermon. We always hear more verbage after the service regarding the content of the sermon when our platform/atmosphere changes.

Interesting thread

[Ian Gentles]

Personaly I would leave out the candle, but then its up to individual churches. We stem from the reformation, John Wesley would have said he was a protestant. Candles are seen by some as catholic. For me it dosent matter one way or the other, but still would be against a new persons ideas shaping the church.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

*smiles to Ian*

i understand the concern to be seen like some other faith - to me it depends upon what the other faith held to the symbol.

For example - what do the Catholics think of candles? Is their reasoning contrary to our own belief of learning and following after Christ? Could it be that they have candles as a reminder of the catacone days.

Some churches have cut out clapping to music -for fear they will be pentecostal and yet our nazarene world was establish with enthusiastic response to music.

Some churches are using white grape juice - to avoid spillage creating stains on the furnishings yet groups that are against Christ teachings use white grape juice in their mockery communion services. i could never partake of communion and white grape juice.

Worship is so personal - i am trying very hard not to be judgemental of other groups and what is comfortable for them. Some days i get closer to that than other days.

[Gina Stevenson]

i am a multi sensory kind of person...i, personally, like effects around me. It is normal in my home to have music, candles or diffuser, food - ect at the same time.


Yes, yes, YES! 'Gotta have my scents ... and [certain] sounds ............... ;)

BTW, #2 in your post above ... a candle lit for one coming to Christ ... that sounds like a neat tradition; accompanying it could be a gentle challenge somewhere in the bulletin weekly, in a nonobtrusive place [to be seen by someone at an "apropos time" when it's "brought to their attention by Someone" while reading it ... when it's their "time" for action ....].

"Help keep the candle lit."

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

*smiles to Gina*

i do not like the idea of lighting the candle for converses of the week. Why? Because in the church where this was practiced - i can't tell you the feelings when the candle wasn't lit.

i would more closely come to applauding the lighting of a candle each week for seed planting. Harvest can never take place unless continual seeds are being planted. It takes many years for some seeds to be ready for harvest.

Plant a seed today.

[Gina Stevenson]

Yes, why didn't I think of that? On days the candle remained unlit, it could be a downer, contributing to the atmosphere. Perhaps encouraging seed-sowing, and then having it lit at a seed-sowing reminder would be best. Thanks for this correction, Belinda Y! ;)

*smiles to Gina*

i do not like the idea of lighting the candle for converses of the week. Why? Because in the church where this was practiced - i can't tell you the feelings when the candle wasn't lit.

i would more closely come to applauding the lighting of a candle each week for seed planting. Harvest can never take place unless continual seeds are being planted. It takes many years for some seeds to be ready for harvest.

Plant a seed today.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

Nah - not a correction at all, hon - -

Just a living experience and a personal preferance.

*s*

[Gina Stevenson]

Oh, do you mean you've seen this done where it was sometimes lit and sometimes wasn't? 'Guess that would definitely burn such a picture into your mind ... was it the "downer" I imagined (once reading your post) it would be? Imagine it was, coming away with a preference against it, huh?

Nah - not a correction at all, hon - -

Just a living experience and a personal preferance.

*s*