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.