One of my new favorite things in the world (and I do say this carefully) is when much of what we have planned for worship goes completely out the window. I mean two weeks in a row now, something has gone "wrong" in worship and even though I feel completely out of control when it happens, God reassures me that it's not intended for me to be in control.
Last week, I felt like I was playing piano for the first time ever. I don't really know what happened, but I just felt like I had lost all control of playing simple chords and keeping the band together. At one point, I had to just stop what I was doing in the middle of worship and just pray because I understood at that moment that I couldn't "work my way out of my problem." I explained to the congregation that I just needed to stop and pray and something happened at that moment. I felt a connection with one person in the congregation in particular. Something about the way he was just nodding his head and closing his eyes almost like God was using him to tell me, "Yes...just talk to me." I am not sure who the person was or what he might have been feeling at that moment, but for me, it was a huge blessing. I didn't feel like the leader of a worship band or the guy who was playing the keyboard trying not to mess up anymore. I felt like someone who had nothing much to give and in need of God's presence. Powerful stuff for my soul.
This week, our primary video projector mysteriously stopped working. The tech team and myself worked on it for a couple of hours leading up to worship trying to fix it, but it was a no go. This particular Sunday, we had more video incorporation into the service than we had planned for in the entire summer to date. Again, I just sat back and said, "God...I know it's not the end of the world, but how are people going to get what we have planned for them today?" Gently again, He answered through His people. I explained to everyone what was going on and that there would be some improv and some additional effort on their part to turn around and see the back screen in order to view the videos/song lyrics/etc. The second song we sang was Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). Now I understand that this is an extremely familiar hymn, but God once again showed up. During the song, I surveyed the congregation and noticed a large number of people neglecting to turn to see the words in order to just let go and worship to the message it had. Old, young, and the in-betweens were just absorbed by the music/lyrics. Another soul soother.
So dare I ask that next Sunday provide some more mishaps in order to allow God to shine? As someone who always feel the need to be in control, I think I am turning over a new leaf.
All this to say........IT'S NOT ABOUT A PRODUCTION!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
06.20.11 - What is worship?
Really, what does this word even mean? And how did it become a part of the Sunday service at churches?
dictionary.com reads:
worship
1. reverent honor and homage paid to god or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.
So according to the dictionary, it is reverent honor. Well, go ahead and ask your next question, "What is reverent honor actually mean?"
And from the same source:
reverent
1. feeling, exhibiting, deeply respectful
honor
1. source of credit, high respect, high public esteem, special rank
So in essence, is it fair to say that we can sum up the meaning of worship to say:
~Exhibiting respect to the source of credit of the creation of the universe and all that is in it, God.
OK, I like that.
Now, where does that fit in today's church service?
We (the church) create "worship experiences" each Sunday for a congregation of believers (and some non-believers).....meaning we organize and plan out a service in such a way that will hopefully allow others who attend to feel the freedom to "worship" God. And at the end of the day, we "pray" that what we did/said/sang/danced/read was pleasing to God. This is no doubt a very common trend in the church.
Not implying that any of this is wrong or ludicrous, but let me just throw an idea out there for conversation. Do we also put forth this same effort and show this same respect to the source outside of that worship setting? I mean think about it, it's not terribly difficult to come to church and "worship" with other believers. It's not even terribly difficult to plan out a worship service. But is this all that God requires of us? To worship Him?
In short, no.
Micah 6:8 says:
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
So while He does want us to show honor/respect/love for Him, he REQUIRES us to be as the verse above states. This is just as honoring/respectful/loving towards Him as anything else. God calls us to be His "body" in the world so that our actions support our words. Can't this also be worshipful? And this is just one example.
This August, our church is beginning a 4 week series entitled Outlive Your Life.
Want to learn how to add to your worship repertoire? Come check it out.
http://www.kingscrosschurch.org/worship
dictionary.com reads:
worship
1. reverent honor and homage paid to god or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.
So according to the dictionary, it is reverent honor. Well, go ahead and ask your next question, "What is reverent honor actually mean?"
And from the same source:
reverent
1. feeling, exhibiting, deeply respectful
honor
1. source of credit, high respect, high public esteem, special rank
So in essence, is it fair to say that we can sum up the meaning of worship to say:
~Exhibiting respect to the source of credit of the creation of the universe and all that is in it, God.
OK, I like that.
Now, where does that fit in today's church service?
We (the church) create "worship experiences" each Sunday for a congregation of believers (and some non-believers).....meaning we organize and plan out a service in such a way that will hopefully allow others who attend to feel the freedom to "worship" God. And at the end of the day, we "pray" that what we did/said/sang/danced/read was pleasing to God. This is no doubt a very common trend in the church.
Not implying that any of this is wrong or ludicrous, but let me just throw an idea out there for conversation. Do we also put forth this same effort and show this same respect to the source outside of that worship setting? I mean think about it, it's not terribly difficult to come to church and "worship" with other believers. It's not even terribly difficult to plan out a worship service. But is this all that God requires of us? To worship Him?
In short, no.
Micah 6:8 says:
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
So while He does want us to show honor/respect/love for Him, he REQUIRES us to be as the verse above states. This is just as honoring/respectful/loving towards Him as anything else. God calls us to be His "body" in the world so that our actions support our words. Can't this also be worshipful? And this is just one example.
This August, our church is beginning a 4 week series entitled Outlive Your Life.
Want to learn how to add to your worship repertoire? Come check it out.
http://www.kingscrosschurch.org/worship
Thursday, May 12, 2011
05.12.11 - Screw Religion
My biggest pet peeve when talking about Jesus and Christianity is religion. I honestly believe that Satan has created, condoned, and implemented religion in the world specifically for church people. It's a way for him to help put a stop to the church being able to reach anymore people. The root meaning of the word religion means to "return to bondage". I am 100% certain that Jesus Christ did not come to the world to die for religion. He came to die as a pardon for our sins and to offer a RELATIONSHIP with the God of the universe.
Gossip in church, putting rules on church (ie dress code, worship times, don't break us of our traditions, etc), stature socializing (country club churh), committees, blah blah blah....these things KILL the message of Jesus in the world. What better way to turn someone away from visiting then to show them (through our actions) that "if you fit into our mold and the way we like things, then you are welcome here" is our message?
How dare the church decide how people have to be before they can come. How dare the church not be willing to do whatever is necessary to reach the lost and hurting. How dare the church allow themselves to become so consumed by what they feel is "our church way" of doing things.
These things are TOXIC to the message of Jesus. All these things we do, Jesus did NOT do. Do we honestly believe that if something is uncomfortable then it's not right? When was the last time God said everything should be easy or routine? When Jesus went to the sick and afflicted, was that comfortable?
Get over yourselves. Take up your cross and follow Him.
Want more? Check out this video sermon... http://www.lifechurch.tv/watch/toxic/5
Gossip in church, putting rules on church (ie dress code, worship times, don't break us of our traditions, etc), stature socializing (country club churh), committees, blah blah blah....these things KILL the message of Jesus in the world. What better way to turn someone away from visiting then to show them (through our actions) that "if you fit into our mold and the way we like things, then you are welcome here" is our message?
How dare the church decide how people have to be before they can come. How dare the church not be willing to do whatever is necessary to reach the lost and hurting. How dare the church allow themselves to become so consumed by what they feel is "our church way" of doing things.
These things are TOXIC to the message of Jesus. All these things we do, Jesus did NOT do. Do we honestly believe that if something is uncomfortable then it's not right? When was the last time God said everything should be easy or routine? When Jesus went to the sick and afflicted, was that comfortable?
Get over yourselves. Take up your cross and follow Him.
Want more? Check out this video sermon... http://www.lifechurch.tv/watch/toxic/5
Thursday, April 28, 2011
04.28.11 - Blinders
Why does it always seem like church has to be done a certain way? Are we honestly naive enough to think that there is one proper way that it has to be done in order for us to be able to worship?
I think we are missing the point.
When we "do church", our intent is to create opportunities for ALL people to encounter God. Sometimes that means making church a little uncomfortable in the sense that we may try something in order to reach an unreached people group.
The church is not a country club. It's NOT a place where we say, "If you like this and do that, then you are welcome here." It's NOT a place where we try to make everybody happy by doing whatever they think is best.
It IS a place where we strive to encounter God and learn where He wants us to go. It IS a place where ALL people are welcome and anything is tried to help reach that one lost soul. It IS a place where we love unconditionally and accept people where they are.....not where they should be (at least that's what Jesus did).
So many times we put emphasis on personal preferences in church that we don't allow even ourselves to see the bigger picture.....forget trying to help others see it.
If Jesus himself were to come to your church, what would he think?
I think we are missing the point.
When we "do church", our intent is to create opportunities for ALL people to encounter God. Sometimes that means making church a little uncomfortable in the sense that we may try something in order to reach an unreached people group.
The church is not a country club. It's NOT a place where we say, "If you like this and do that, then you are welcome here." It's NOT a place where we try to make everybody happy by doing whatever they think is best.
It IS a place where we strive to encounter God and learn where He wants us to go. It IS a place where ALL people are welcome and anything is tried to help reach that one lost soul. It IS a place where we love unconditionally and accept people where they are.....not where they should be (at least that's what Jesus did).
So many times we put emphasis on personal preferences in church that we don't allow even ourselves to see the bigger picture.....forget trying to help others see it.
If Jesus himself were to come to your church, what would he think?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
04.26.11 - What now?
So we have reached the first climax in our 2011 season of church services; EASTER. Did I really just type that out?
One of my fears as a worship leader is being able to continually create moments that allow people to really experience the emotion of their relationship with Jesus through songs, creative movement, video, styles of songs, etc. Seasons like Easter and Christmas make it much more likely that people will allow themselves to meet with Him during a service simply because of the nature of the story being told at that time. At Easter, we talk about the death and resurrection of Christ and his marvelous sacrifice made for us. At Christmas, we talk about the anticipation and excitement of the story of the birth of the Saviour. During these seasons, it is not as difficult (if I can say that) to create opportunities for those moments to happen.
But what about all the rest of the "regular Sundays"?
I tend to think that these are truly the times that can be more crucial in our ministries to really minister to people where they are. It's the "ordinary days" in people's lives where we are maybe a little less "in the mode" of Jesus that we can slowly start to slip away. "Well Easter just passed so now we have a long series of Sundays where there aren't any good stories to talk about, therefore, I am going to probably be less engaged in what's going on at church." Does anybody even really think that way? I don't know. My gut reaction would be that maybe we really do FEEL that way, but we would never SAY it.
So how do we address this? How do you make all the other Sundays as interesting/powerful/purposeful as those at Easter and Christmas? Or a more dangerous question...How can we help those who only come to church at Easter and Christmas WANT to come other times of the year?
Why can't Easter and Christmas last all year?
It does.
The message through the rest of the year is still the same! God came in the form of baby Jesus.....33 years later He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us by dying on the cross.
So why is that story not as effective unless it's told on it's anniversary (or the day we select to act as such)? What is the real reason a lot of people only attend these two days out of the year?
I don't know....and I am a little worried/interested in finding that out.
One of my fears as a worship leader is being able to continually create moments that allow people to really experience the emotion of their relationship with Jesus through songs, creative movement, video, styles of songs, etc. Seasons like Easter and Christmas make it much more likely that people will allow themselves to meet with Him during a service simply because of the nature of the story being told at that time. At Easter, we talk about the death and resurrection of Christ and his marvelous sacrifice made for us. At Christmas, we talk about the anticipation and excitement of the story of the birth of the Saviour. During these seasons, it is not as difficult (if I can say that) to create opportunities for those moments to happen.
But what about all the rest of the "regular Sundays"?
I tend to think that these are truly the times that can be more crucial in our ministries to really minister to people where they are. It's the "ordinary days" in people's lives where we are maybe a little less "in the mode" of Jesus that we can slowly start to slip away. "Well Easter just passed so now we have a long series of Sundays where there aren't any good stories to talk about, therefore, I am going to probably be less engaged in what's going on at church." Does anybody even really think that way? I don't know. My gut reaction would be that maybe we really do FEEL that way, but we would never SAY it.
So how do we address this? How do you make all the other Sundays as interesting/powerful/purposeful as those at Easter and Christmas? Or a more dangerous question...How can we help those who only come to church at Easter and Christmas WANT to come other times of the year?
Why can't Easter and Christmas last all year?
It does.
The message through the rest of the year is still the same! God came in the form of baby Jesus.....33 years later He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us by dying on the cross.
So why is that story not as effective unless it's told on it's anniversary (or the day we select to act as such)? What is the real reason a lot of people only attend these two days out of the year?
I don't know....and I am a little worried/interested in finding that out.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
04.07.11 - Converse with me...
Are you satisfied with facts and information, or do you desire relationship and hands on experience?
It's all around us in everyday life. Think of it from a schooling perspective....there is your basic stand and deliver an "Informational Symposium" (thanks Brandon) where a lecturer stands at the front of the class or on a platform in front of hundreds of people, such as in a lot of college classes, and delivers a mostly factual presentation on a given topic. Here you pretty much know what you're getting and can almost guarantee no participation in the content being delivered. You obtain the information and you are free to do with it what you will.
Now in some classes, you are offered a smaller focus group or team discussion opportunity where you can dig a little further in to the content in hopes of getting a better grasp of what is going on. There is a lot more freedom for each person to contribute their view or take on the points and there seems to be more of an "interactive" aspect to it.
So which is better? Honestly, I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer here. It's all about preference. If you want information to process for yourself.....lecture. If you want more interaction and deeper understanding.....focus/small groups. You get out of it what you put in to it.
The same concept applies in our walk with God (this is where it gets tough for me).
So my question is simply this....what if our Sunday morning worship was designed more towards interaction and congregational involvement? What if there was less of a "come and watch the show" design? What if YOU contributed to the worship experience?
You get out of it what you put into it.
It's all around us in everyday life. Think of it from a schooling perspective....there is your basic stand and deliver an "Informational Symposium" (thanks Brandon) where a lecturer stands at the front of the class or on a platform in front of hundreds of people, such as in a lot of college classes, and delivers a mostly factual presentation on a given topic. Here you pretty much know what you're getting and can almost guarantee no participation in the content being delivered. You obtain the information and you are free to do with it what you will.
Now in some classes, you are offered a smaller focus group or team discussion opportunity where you can dig a little further in to the content in hopes of getting a better grasp of what is going on. There is a lot more freedom for each person to contribute their view or take on the points and there seems to be more of an "interactive" aspect to it.
So which is better? Honestly, I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer here. It's all about preference. If you want information to process for yourself.....lecture. If you want more interaction and deeper understanding.....focus/small groups. You get out of it what you put in to it.
The same concept applies in our walk with God (this is where it gets tough for me).
So my question is simply this....what if our Sunday morning worship was designed more towards interaction and congregational involvement? What if there was less of a "come and watch the show" design? What if YOU contributed to the worship experience?
You get out of it what you put into it.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
04.03.11 - All In!
So the past few weeks have been a lot of fun at church. We did a series entitled "All In" (playing off the poker phrase of course). The premise of this series was to simply challenge the church to give 110% to God in everything we do. This was a great transition out of our previous series HOPE LIVES last month.
The music and media in this series was a lot more upbeat and energetic. Today in particular I was so encouraged by the response of our congregation. We ended with "I Am A Friend Of God" and at first I thought it was the fact that most people already knew the song and loved it anyway, or the fact that our band rocked it out, or maybe that my boy Tim Stubblefield sang it better than Steven Tyler. But then I realized that all those factors played a part, but the bigger part was the words and message of the song. I mean think about it...."God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend,"....how amazing is it that the God of the entire universe calls us His friend, His desire, His children. That's worth getting excited about and screaming it at the top of your lungs.....rock on KCC, rock on!
Now to prepare for the hard journey that leads into the death AND resurrection of Jesus......stay tuned
The music and media in this series was a lot more upbeat and energetic. Today in particular I was so encouraged by the response of our congregation. We ended with "I Am A Friend Of God" and at first I thought it was the fact that most people already knew the song and loved it anyway, or the fact that our band rocked it out, or maybe that my boy Tim Stubblefield sang it better than Steven Tyler. But then I realized that all those factors played a part, but the bigger part was the words and message of the song. I mean think about it...."God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend,"....how amazing is it that the God of the entire universe calls us His friend, His desire, His children. That's worth getting excited about and screaming it at the top of your lungs.....rock on KCC, rock on!
Now to prepare for the hard journey that leads into the death AND resurrection of Jesus......stay tuned
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