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We Protest

A statement from the OPBCB on the character of worship, set against practices it considers a departure from biblical reverence.

Worship as Spiritual Offering

The OPBCB holds that worship is a spiritual act directed to God, not an aesthetic display meant to please an audience. This conviction shapes its public protest against forms of worship it regards as profane rather than reverent.

The OPBCB's public protest against certain worship practices stems from a deeply held conviction that worship is first and foremost a spiritual offering directed to God rather than a performance staged for human approval. This distinction shapes the church's stance on what belongs within the sanctuary and what does not. When the congregation gathers, the focus is meant to rest entirely on the majesty of God, not on the skill or artistry of those leading the service. The church believes that reverence, humility, and a contrite heart are the marks of true worship, and it sees these qualities as diminished when the service becomes an occasion for entertainment or spectacle.

Among the practices the OPBCB publicly opposes is the introduction of dance and choreography into corporate worship. The church views such expressions as belonging to a different context entirely, one that does not align with the biblical pattern of reverent, orderly worship. While the church does not condemn artistic expression in general, it draws a firm line between the secular stage and the sacred assembly. The concern is not with movement itself but with the shift in emphasis it represents: worship becoming a display of human ability rather than a humble acknowledgment of divine holiness. This protest is offered not in a spirit of judgment toward individuals but as a faithful witness to what the church believes Scripture teaches.

The protest is rooted in a broader commitment to preserving the character of worship across generations. The OPBCB recognizes that cultural trends continually press into the life of the church, and it sees its role as one of discernment and faithful resistance where those trends conflict with biblical teaching. This is not a rejection of the culture at large, but a careful separation of what serves the worship of God from what does not. The church's stance is intended to protect the congregation from drifting into practices that, however well-intentioned, shift the focus away from God and onto human expression. In this way, the protest functions as a safeguard for the spiritual health of the body.

At the heart of the OPBCB's protest is a pastoral concern for the souls of its people. The church desires that every believer come to worship with a heart prepared to meet God, free from the distractions that a performance-oriented service can introduce. By taking a public stand, the church also seeks to encourage other congregations to examine their own practices in light of Scripture. The goal is never division for its own sake, but clarity about what constitutes reverent worship. The OPBCB believes that when worship is rightly ordered, God is honored, the Word is exalted, and the people are built up in faith. This conviction gives the protest its seriousness and its hope.

Points of Protest

Against Dance and Choreography

The manifesto "Nós Protestamos" opposes the use of dance and choreography within worship services, viewing them as incompatible with spiritual worship.

Against the Pulpit as Stage

The order states that pulpits should not be turned into stages for performance or show, insisting that preaching and worship remain distinct from entertainment.

On Sign Gifts

The OPBCB also protests against those who defend sign gifts as a present-day practice, aligning this stance with its broader call to doctrinal restraint.