It is wrong to judge anyone if you do not know all the facts… in fact the bible states that as foolish…

iggy

I can assure you it is all done in good faith and also in good fun. On this particular video, I think the expats acquitted themselves very well in the dancing and as far as I can see, their presence did not distract any of the locals. I do agree that sometimes when visitors try to “over-adapt” to the locals, they can become the center of attention and that is not helpful to anyone.

We had a visiting graduate music student from the USA in my Church in Ghana many years ago who was extremely helpful to Choir, taught us a lot of music and helped to improve the skills of everyone. She encouraged the use of the local musical instruments in the Church, even adapting them into “Western” music. She stayed for about three months, and was a blessing to the congregation. When she left she also remarked how greatly she had been blessed by her experience.

I would say it might be a more unfair evaluation of her values to think that she would actually have chosen not to do this.

Was this song a Christian song? I don’t know, but if so, then in my mind Christians have the right to speak up about it even more.

Iggy, I was only addressing the video, as it was presented in the link in the comment section. Please notice that while I had problems with the clothing on the back-up singers and would not let my kids watch THAT video, I have no opinion on JV.

I am just addressing that some are judging JV as if they know all that was behind that video… I see it as revealing their own heart and not necessarily JV’s

In that I personally do not see that as appropriate in many ways, but in the world of dance, the moves were not bad to me, the dress of the back up singers was a bit too much.

But, do I judge JV by how a producer set things up on the stage and that the back up dancers dressed? That seems to push the limits to me as far as how we should treat another sister or brother in the Lord.

iggy

Certainly, the visiting missionaries in the ladies praise line had no hesitation in joining in the “dancing before the Lord”. And the gender separation should keep all of us happy, ODMs included.

Amy, it is very difficult to have conversations with people who don’t share the same beliefs as you. If I am more liberal in some areas it is way too easy to look down on someone who doesn’t share the same freedoms. At the same time if I am more conservative in some areas then it is very easy to look down on someone who isn’t.

I really hope that the new guidelines on tone work here as it happens on both sides, and I’ve been on both.

I guess the hardest thing is to remember that things that are stumbling blocks to me are not blocks for everyone. Rather than mock them or condemn them, I should be grateful that that person isn’t burdened by them.

I think that Jacquie is getting an unfair treatment here…

This is not HER in concert, but a televised Mexican special where she appeared. Notice that SHE is modestly dressed and does not even come close to the other dancers clothes.

She is very popular… and I bet that it was one of those times where she was asked to come and sing and the producer added the dancers… not her.

I wondered at all the judging that a little leaven added to the video… that sickened me more! Especially the “golden calf” line. It seems that some care little for other brothers and sisters and would rather judge and condemn than really try to find out what went on.

I truly doubt that Jacquie brought those dancers and had them dress like that.

On the other hand, I think it great that she a Christian, was able to be light in that darkness for a time. But, then I seem to see God doing silly things like that… I mean He sent His Son into this dark world to be the Light and He wants us to be the Light for Him…

But, then I tend to give the beniit of the doubt to others and as the bible teaches as far as loving others… ” Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Knowing what I do know of Jacquie, I think that this is a rare occassion and that she is getting unfair treatment.

iggy

I agree – it is a matter of personal preference and personal conviction, not one of cross-cultural absolutes.

Once we force the former into the guise of the latter, we take on the legalistic character of the pharisees. However, when we completely neglect the principal of “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial, we become indistinguishable from the pagans.

It is a line that must be walked in each church community and as individuals, with an application of charity (”the charitable observer”) outside of that community.