THE LANGUAGE OF FLAGS
Flags say things when they are waved. They say:
“Welcome” to a visitor,
“We’re for you” to a football team,
“We love you” to a celebrity,
“This is our identity” to a watching crowd.
“Praise and honour” to our God
“Watch out - here are the soldiers of God ” to the powers of darkness.
Flags say things when they are waved. They say:
“Welcome” to a visitor,
“We’re for you” to a football team,
“We love you” to a celebrity,
“This is our identity” to a watching crowd.
“Praise and honour” to our God
“Watch out -
During worship, they can say a lot of similar things but mostly, they say what you want to express to, and before, your God. There are no specific rules about the use of flags. It is well to work out for yourself a kind of language but the real key is to always keep the flag moving.
The movement of the flag should follow the rhythm of the music, echo the sentiments of the song, but most importantly, always follow the leading of the Spirit.
Sometimes the words of the song do not speak to me immediately and I might start a song with two colours then find I need to change them or even put one flag down. Not all songs require two flags, some are better expressed with one - or even three !
Note the mood and tempo of the music:
An up tempo beat calls for similarly vigorous movement.
A slow, contemplative song needs smooth, gentle movements that echo the mood.
On occasion, with a slow song, I waft the flag horizontally, so slowly it barely keeps afloat, thus representing the presence of the Holy Spirit in the meeting place. In the early days I found this quite a challenge but then I found the Spirit was keeping me steady and now I can ‘pirouette’ for minutes at a time without getting dizzy !!
The movement of the flag should follow the rhythm of the music, echo the sentiments of the song, but most importantly, always follow the leading of the Spirit.
Sometimes the words of the song do not speak to me immediately and I might start a song with two colours then find I need to change them or even put one flag down. Not all songs require two flags, some are better expressed with one -
Note the mood and tempo of the music:
An up tempo beat calls for similarly vigorous movement.
A slow, contemplative song needs smooth, gentle movements that echo the mood.
On occasion, with a slow song, I waft the flag horizontally, so slowly it barely keeps afloat, thus representing the presence of the Holy Spirit in the meeting place. In the early days I found this quite a challenge but then I found the Spirit was keeping me steady and now I can ‘pirouette’ for minutes at a time without getting dizzy !!
There have been times when the use of flags has resulted in a very tangible feeling of the presence of the Spirit to the joy and enrichment of all. Hallelujah !
I generally select a colour or colours that are appropriate to the words or sentiment of the song.
Thus if singing about .....
God’s majesty, purple;
the blood of the Lamb, red;
the Holy Spirit, white.
In this case, I chose gold and silver to present God’s majesty and Christ’s glory.
Thus if singing about .....
God’s majesty, purple;
the blood of the Lamb, red;
the Holy Spirit, white.
In this case, I chose gold and silver to present God’s majesty and Christ’s glory.
×
This is me using flags at my church.
The music is a track of Delirious? called “Here I Am (Majesty)”.
The music is a track of Delirious? called “Here I Am (Majesty)”.
During this you will notice a few moves.
At the start: I dedicate the flags to the Lord. In this case by bowing before the altar
Here I am: sweep flags across my front, crossing my arms
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man: turns away in shame
Covered by the blood of the Lamb: flag goes over the head, representing being covered by God
Since you laid down your life, The greatest sacrifice: drops the flag from a height straight down to the floor
Majesty, Majesty: synchronous waves overheard representing a glorifying of God.
Sanctified by glory and fire: flag goes over the head, representing the sanctifification
At the end of the music: the flags come to rest downward and I adopt a position of reverence and humility.
At the start: I dedicate the flags to the Lord. In this case by bowing before the altar
Here I am: sweep flags across my front, crossing my arms
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man: turns away in shame
Covered by the blood of the Lamb: flag goes over the head, representing being covered by God
Since you laid down your life, The greatest sacrifice: drops the flag from a height straight down to the floor
Majesty, Majesty: synchronous waves overheard representing a glorifying of God.
Sanctified by glory and fire: flag goes over the head, representing the sanctifification
At the end of the music: the flags come to rest downward and I adopt a position of reverence and humility.