Chapter Three: Identity of the Durban Christian Centre
3.4 DCC theology
3.4.9 Worship
The issue of healing, signs and wonders has been receiving much attention from the secular media who scrutinise several local and international "spirit healers" such as Benny Hinn, Reinhard Bonnke, and local Kobus van Rensburg. There are also many undercover Charismatics, even in the mainline churches, who secretly attend these healing meetings or churches when they are plagued with life threatening illness. Some do receive healing and abandon the mainline churches, while others do not and return with a sense that they knew that "it was not going to work".
The issue of healing is highly contested since Pentecostals and Charismatics have built empires on healing ministries. The World Council of Churches (WCC) has begun a journey of discovery with Pentecostals who were not formally part of this "ecumenical" body81. The points of debate amongst the two parties have been predominantly, the issue of healing and the issue of the Holy Spirit. The WCC has led this dialogue and shown signs of a willingness to learn more about Pentecostal theology and practise in this regard.
or God).
Worship is a key part of congregational life and experience at the DCC. Here worship is considered as entering into the presence of God, through singing, dancing etcetera. The congregation is prompted to become active participants in the worship services where songs are displayed on large screens throughout the auditorium in the Jesus Dome, and on an electronic song board at the Berea centre. Sound equipment and musical instruments are high-tech. The strong voices of the choir comprise of young people from various parts of the city. The worship leader, with the support of the choir, encourages the congregation to worship for the purpose of "lifting the spirit of heaviness". This refers to the stresses and burdens of the people. In a sense, worship can be viewed as being therapeutic since many people who participate forget their troubles, at least temporarily.
A typical worship service at DCC will include several praise songs. These invigorating and energising songs often express the people's joy and wonder about God, his ways and works. Some members of the congregation clap, click their fingers, stamp their feet, or dance, while others just stand and sing. There is an electric atmosphere as the auditoriums are filled with the sound of hundreds of voices. This is followed by songs of a slower pace. The song leader will often call this "getting into a time of worship". Here many of those present will close their eyes and sing out songs of love and adoration to the Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. As one song ends, the music will continue and the worship leaders together with the people break into spontaneous expressions and prayers. Shouts of worship can be heard throughout the building, such as
"Lord we worship you", or prayers of thanksgiving: "Thank you Jesus" or cries for help: "Father I need you so much". During this time the worship leader encourages the congregation to "tell Him (God) how good He is", "tell Him you love Him", "He deserves all the praises." While some appear to be emotional with tears running down their faces, a few young people are shy or disinterested and often sit down, looking uncomfortable and embarrassed. For the rest of the
participants, this is an intense moment of joint prayer and praise, and also a cathartic experience.
Worship songs are generally drawn from the latest global favourites, mainly from western developed countries. There is seldom any difference between a time of praise and worship in the United States of America or Australia or South Africa. This is due to the globalisation of the Charismatic world. Music released in the United Kingdom can be released simultaneously in South Africa. Worship songs by popular artists and groups such as Michael W. Smith, Integrity Music, Hillsongs and Terry Macalmond are often sung in the DCC and throughout the world. Charismatic culture has its worship anthems, which allow Charismatics across the world to feel a sense of oneness since they share the same songs.
One can travel to a church in Johannesburg or Jakarta and although the languages differ, Charismatics will recognise the songs that are being sung.
At the Jesus Dome, most songs are sung in English, while in the Berea congregation, western songs of praise are interrupted by intermittent flashes of indigenous music: African songs in African languages. The faces of the congregants immediately light up and they come alive as they sing songs in their own languages. The atmosphere at the Dome, however, is mild in comparison to that of the Berea location which is a smaller facility with livelier people, while the acoustics of the former theatre add to the charged atmosphere of worship.
The leadership of the DCC explains and describes the different aspects of worship together with scriptural reference in the "Welcome" booklet, which is handed to visitors and new members at every meeting and contains frequently asked questions and answers. The questions include "why the worship at DCC is so lively" and "how do we worship God?" (Welcome: 4). The following explanations are provided:
The pattern is established in the Bible. True worshippers worship in spirit and truth. John 4.23. With all your being, with all your heart, soul and body Deut. 6:5.
Clapping and Lifting Hands. "Clap your hands all ye people shout unto God with a voice of triumph" Ps 47:1. The Psalms also speak of lifting up holy hands in an attitude of surrender to God. Ps 63:4 /1 Tim 2:8.
Singing in an unknown tongue. "I will sing with the Spirit and I will also sing with the understanding" 1 Cor 14:15-16.
Falling down under the power. While being ministered to, in the presence of God, through the Holy Spirit, a person may fall as the power of God fills and surrounds him with great force. Acts 8:3-4 / Rev 1:17/2Chron. 5:14.
Dancing and Musical Instruments. "By doing so we outwardly express our love and faith in God. We believe God accepts both our exuberant and meditative worship when given in sincerity." Ps. 149:3
"Praise Him with the timbrel and dance. Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes" (:4).
The following three songs are examples of the types of lyrics sung at the DCC.
These songs are popular in Pentecostal/Charismatic churches across the world. I have heard the songs in the cities of Porto Alegre in Brazil; Geneva, Switzerland; Nairobi, Kenya; Singapore and Hong Kong. The words of the songs speak of release from sorrows and pain, resilience and victory over trials and difficulty. God is the giver of joy, goodness and mercy.
Song 1: I'm trading my sorrows I'm trading my sorrows,
I'm trading my pain, I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord.
I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my shame, I'm laying them down For the joy of the Lord.
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord,...(3x) Amen.
I am pressed but not crushed, Persecuted, not abandoned;
Struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse, For His promise will endure
that His joy's gonna be my strength.
Though the sorrow may last for the night His joy comes with the mornin'.
Song 2: Days of Elijah These are the days of Elijah Declaring the word of the Lord
These are the days of your servant Moses righteousness being restored And though these are days of great trials of famine and darkness and sword Still we are the voice in the desert crying
Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
Behold he comes Riding on the clouds
Shining like the sun as the trumpet calls lift your voice it's the year of jubilee out ofZion's hill salvation comes
And these are the days of Ezekiel the dry bones becoming as flesh
And these are the days of your servant David rebuilding a temple of praise And these are the days of the harvest the fields are as white in your world and we are the labourers in your vineyard declaring the word of the Lord
There's no god like Jehovah (bridge) Song 3: You are good
Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever (repeat)
People from every nation and tongue, from generation to generation We worship you hallelujah, hallelujah
We worship you for who you are and you are good (repeat) You are good all the time, all the time you are good (bridge).
The styles of songs sung at the DCC are varied. Musical genres range from jazz, reggae, rhythm and blues to traditional Protestant English hymns. The primary source of the music played at the DCC is American. Music from other regions such as the United Kingdom and Australia also feature among the DCC worship collection. At the Jesus Dome, local language songs are far less frequent than at the Berea location.