Tuesday, April 22, 2008

THOUGHTS ON WORSHIP

Greetings fellow co-laborers in Christ,
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Isn't it interesting on Sunday mornings how our time of worship can be totally awesome and Spirit-led Sunday after Sunday, yet look and feel different from one Sunday to the next. The Sunday before last I felt that the people were freely worshipping in the presence of the Lord as soon as they entered the main sanctuary. This last week I sensed a heaviness, as though many were burdened during the time of worship until after the message while we were leading the last few songs, where I very strongly sensed the Holy Spirit's presence. I find it really interesting. The Sunday before last you could sense the Spirit of God moving so strongly during the entire service, and our tendency would be to say, "Let's do it like that every Sunday," or "It should look like that every time," almost as if the bar had been set by what happened that morning. I think we ought to kick against that line of thought for two reasons: (1) If a Sunday morning didn't look like that particular Sunday two weeks ago, people could experience somewhat of a letdown, almost as if "God didn't really show up that Sunday." Basing our sense of the Spirit of God moving on a "feeling" that we had could be dangerous and putting God in a box. The truth is, the Holy Spirit is always at work during the worship service and we should never leave on Sunday feeling letdown, but edified. (2) There is a chance that we could try to force the hand of God, or try to manufacture some kind of experience. This kind of worship leading is not authentic and even dangerous. I say, we just get out of the way, stand back, and see what God does every week, embracing whatever the outcome is.
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In one of the songs I wrote, "You Reign In Majesty," one of the lines says, "we have come to give and not to receive, yet You're so conscious of our needs." That is why we are all worship leaders. That is what worship is about. Ascribing worth and giving honor to our Creator, our God, our Savior, our Friend. Anything or any feeling that comes from that time of worship is just a "perk."
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Anyway, wasn't trying to write a dissertation. I have felt a lot of opposition from the enemy this last week. Some of it through circumstances. Most of it just a strong sense. I believe that we are doing everything right as a worship team. This could possibly be why there is so much opposition. If we weren't making an impact for the Kingdom of God, my guess is that Satan would spend as much time trying to mess with us. Please continue to pray for protection for all of us, for the Whipple Creek Church staff and for all of those who call Whipple Creek Church their home as well as for all of our families. Please let me know if there is anything we can be specifically praying about as a team this week. Love you guys. See you on Sunday.
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Grace and peace,
Christian.

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