An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

service closed with silence accompanied by meditative music. In the second extract theservice starts with reflection and meditation and did not directly invite „audience‟participation. The service did, however, adopt the style of laying on of hands by the churchelders as stated in 1 Timothy 4.We may contrast the URC service with the observation of a COGIC service (at aconvention):At the beginning of the prayer session the minister stated that all unwelcome spirits wouldbe banished from the church. This included spirits from the past. She related an incidentabout a swarm of wasps that had housed themselves in the ‗vestry‘. She implied that amember of the church was encouraging the swarm of wasps. She was adamant that thewasps (by fumigation if necessary) had to go and if the member had difficulties with this,he/she would also have to go.Unlike other COGIC services, an invitation was extended to the congregation to comeforward for prayer for healing especially if they had any unwelcome spirit in themselves ortheir family. 95% of the congregation of about 250 formed a line to receive healing. Eachperson had individual prayer and was anointed with olive oil by the healer (minister) Inthe background was a group of singers who sang the same prayer song throughout thehealing sessionThe picture filled with animated activities. There were people falling to the floor, peoplewho were dancing, people who were laughing, crying and the healer danced with them,cried with them. If they fell to the floor, her assistants helped those who were on the floorand continued to pray with them. She named the spirits that she was praying about. Someof these were disobedience, stubbornness, fear, anger and unbelief. She stood on a chair270