Skip to content

One of the most vivid examples of chaotic charismatic…

“One of the most vivid examples of chaotic charismatic worship occurred during the Toronto Blessing of the mid-1990s. Sociology professor Margaret M. Poloma describes her firsthand experience at a worship service held at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in 1995: The outbreaks of laughter…” quote by John MacArthur
Download Open image
““One of the most vivid examples of chaotic charismatic worship occurred during the Toronto Blessing of the mid-1990s. Sociology professor Margaret M. Poloma describes her firsthand experience at a worship service held at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in 1995: The outbreaks of laughter continued to gather momentum. [Evangelist Byron] Mote proclaimed, “God is throwing one major party.” He then opened to the first chapter of Luke, seeming to begin a sermon about Mary, the mother of Jesus. As people continued laughing throughout the auditorium, Mote’s speech became slurred. . . . He sat down trying to gain composure, looking like a drunk struggling to keep from falling off the bar stool. Mote soon fell to the floor “drunk in the Spirit,” as people laughed and applauded. Jan Mote then sought to fill her husband’s place as the speaker for the meeting, by returning to a passage from Song of Solomon: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.” Although Jan Mote, too, was struggling to retain her composure (having to sit down at one point because her “knees were weak”), she spoke about how laughter was opening people up to receive the love of God. Those in the congregation not spiritually drunk, laying on the floor, or laughing out of control then followed her in singing, “My Jesus I love you.””

John MacArthur

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage illustrates how intense emotional experiences in worship can lead to uncontrolled laughter and a sense of being “drunk” on the Spirit, blurring the line between reverence and excess.

In simple terms: Worship can become chaotic and emotionally intense.

Key Takeaway

Balance reverence with emotional expression.

Themes

charismatic worship emotional contagion religious experience

Mood

reflective critical analytical

Type

theological sociological observational

When to use this quote

  • church services
  • revival meetings
  • spiritual counseling

Key Concepts

psychology of group behavior spiritual ecstasy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can worship stay heartfelt without losing focus?
  • What safeguards prevent emotional excess?
A Different Perspective

Excessive emotionalism may distract from theological depth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by John MacArthur

Explore all 279 John MacArthur quotes

More Christian fellowship quotes

Browse all 24 Christian fellowship quotes