Holy Cow! I am trying to think of a creative way to say I’m exhausted, but I’m to tired to be very creative. Living off of 2 hours sleep last night and 4 hours the night before is not ideal for leading worship. David, our creative media director, had a motorcycle accident and compound fractured his shin bone. So this week I’ve had the priveledge of helping him out.
It’s kinda weird that I would say this, but when I left the church this morning at 5am to go get 2 hours of sleep, I knew today was going to be special. From the first note of the first song God was here. Marty is preaching on the parable of the rich man who stored up his goods. He just said, “Is there something in your life that is not necessary.” I don’t think our people caught that but most of our belongings are not necessary. We are on the verdge of a financial crisis here in American, yet I have a flat panel tv, motorolla cell phone, brand new kitchen table, a 1,600 sq. ft. house, and 2 vehicles….I eat out multiple times per week, spend 3 dollars on specialty drinks, and leave the water running while I brush my teeth. We are not in a financial crisis…..we are in the midst of a compassion crisis. Americans don’t care.
Here is what God’s word says about this. Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been please to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We have more to worry about than another great depression, we need to worry about the blood that is our hands for being selfish, uncaring, indulgent, and a socialistic society.
We are 4 weeks away from one of our biggest days of the year here at Harvest Time, World Harvest Sunday. This year our goal is $108,000.00. This money goes to missionaries abroad and here in the U.S.A. Various ministries are the recipients of supplies, transportation, food and water, medicine, Bibles, and teaching for foreign ministers/pastors/lay leaders.
I have the privilege every year to put a video together with a live song the worship team will play. The purpose of this video is evoke emotion and a stir the heart towards giving right before we take the biggest offering of the year. As I was researching and resourcing for the video I ran across this video. No words can describe the since of compassion I felt for the lost and hurting as I watched this. It maybe because I have a son close to his age or the fact that I play guitar, whatever the reason I was moved.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTCvCdber20]
This was our 2nd “Gathering.” On Tuesday night of this week we gathered all of our worship teams from all over our entire campus for a “night of worship for the worshipers.” It was pretty incredible. The idea was spurred about a year ago in a Panerra Bread meeting. Deron, Stephanie, and myself were tossing out ideas to help grow the team and cast vision. So the primary focus of our Gatherings is: 1) Worship, 2) Teach/Cast Vision, and 3) Grow. We utilize this night as an orientation, or sneek peak of our ministry. So far, in our two Gatherings, we have seen over 15 new musicians/singers join forces with us.
The worship times at the Gathering are always special. Something unique happens when you have only passionate worshipers in the room with one focus. Our teams come with a ton of expectation to see God move, learn about worship, and fellowship. With great expectation always comes great services. This particular night was pretty amazing. Our youth worship team led out with a pretty phat setlist.
- Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin – B
- Ready Now – Desperation Band – G (we did a really cool key change from Let God to Ready Now)
- We Prepare the Way – Rick Pino – D
- Lead Me to the Cross – Hillsong – D
- Healer – Planet Shakers – B
In leading up to the worship part of this night I spoke with the team and reminded them that there is no agenda….slow down and enjoy God’s presence. Man was I right on with that. After we finished the majority of the song Healer we just brought it way back…..holding just a B chord. Waiting and waiting. Then it just fail on us. People in the audience began singing a new song, the band behind me was just ripping new melodies with their voices, all this in the quitness of just the keys. A roar of praise was lifted toward God and the place was electric. We finished out the song after a bit and turned the service over to Deron.
Deron took just 15 minutes and spoke a word on expectation and purity. It was pretty much a straight up challenge to walk into every service with your game face on and ready for God to move. “The next time you walk in the church door ask yourself… ‘What am I looking for and what are my expectations today?’ ”
All in all, a night of worship for just the worshipers is a great idea. I’m looking forward to many more of these. We are probably going to do 3-4 per year.