One noticeable omission from the “Beliefs” page of the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) website was the “foot washing” practices of years past. This is not listed as a ordinance of the church as with other churches who practice foot washing. If my memory serves me correctly, I participated in three “foot washing” services while attending WOFF. The first one was more intense than the second or third. Though not practiced by several mainline or traditional Protestant churches, there certainly is scriptural basis for the practice. Here is the passage in John 13:5-9, 13-15:
5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
My memories are not as detailed and distinct in reference to these three services. So, I may get the details confused as to the order they occurred. The first foot washing service at WOFF was set on course with certain guidelines: men washing men’s feet, women washing women’s feet. Family members could wash each other’s feet. The purpose was to humble yourself and make right any bitterness or unforgiveness with that person. Plastic basins, (from prayer times?) were brought out with some water in them. Towels were supplied for drying the feet. The service lasted several hours as there was a whole lot of washing to do. Many wept and from all indications, several relationships were mended.