Treehouse: One Star: Don't Bother If You've Actually Met Jesus

My wife and I visited this church in Downtown Los Angeles, and let me tell you, the experience was something else. From the moment we walked in, we were met with a serving staff that was so elitist and fake nice, you could practically see the cracks in their smiles. It was clear we didn't fit their mold.

Disclaimer: The following content was captured in the heart of the Fashion District and contains lighthearted church humor intended solely for entertainment purposes. It is not related to or representative of any specific churches in Los Angeles. The individuals depicted are members of Prism Church LA, and this presentation is a theatrical skit created purely for comedic and artistic expression.

Now, you should know, my wife and I are both Black and we come from traditional Black churches. We're used to a certain energy, a certain freedom in worship. So, during the sermon, when the spirit hit, we did what comes naturally to us. We caught what is called the Holy Spirit. This means we get vocal. We shout. We might let out a "Can I get an amen!" or a heartfelt "Thank you, Jesus!" when the message resonates deep in our souls. It’s a powerful, genuine expression of our faith.

Well, apparently, that's not how they do things here. After the service, we were cornered by a group of the pastors. They politely but firmly asked us to stop "catching the Holy Spirit" during their sermons. They explained that what we were doing, our form of worship, was considered 'hysteria' in their house of God. Hysteria.

Let me be perfectly clear: catching the Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit, is not hysteria. It is a profound, spiritual experience, a connection to God that has been a cornerstone of our faith tradition for generations. It is not a performance or a disruption; it's worship in its purest form for us.

I'm sharing this story on the Treehouse platform, which I know is populated by mostly Caucasian Christian males. So I have a genuine question for all of you: Would you kick me out of your church for catching the Holy Spirit? If I was on your welcoming team, would you ask me to step down for worshiping in a way that might be different from yours? I'm curious to know where you stand.