Worship Sabbatical April 22, 2008

The team continues to pursue the heart of worship. I was blessed during this week of study by the depth of discussion and transformation that God is bringing to our worship team. I shared with the team that they can never go back to how things where, now that we have seen how worship could and should be. I believe this worship sabbatical time will bear fruit in this team and for this congregation for years to come.

After our teaching and discussion time we began "mic & monitor night". This focus on how to use the equipment we have, made a dramatic improvement to our monitor mix. The team also took part in producing a video to share with the congregation to help communicate how God has lead each of us during this worship sabbatical.

Worship at Central Free Methodist

Worship Sabbatical wk4

Last night the worship team met for our fourth week of worship sabbatical. It was a great night as all shared from the homework that we have been doing together. I am excited about sharing this study I have put together with our congregation and eventually with other worship teams. This time of spiritual growth and deliberate focus is having a great impact on the worship team, and I believe will have a great impact on how this congregation will worship our Redeemer, Savior and Friend.

Stop Prepare Worship

We are taking a worship sabbatical. This will involve two new activities for our team. One, we will begin to meet as an entire group each Tuesday night. Two, we are going to step away from serving on Sunday morning for an extended period, so that we are able to stop, prepare and worship. As we learn and grow together we will take time to share insights that have been inspired from our personal time in God’s word. The purpose of this sabbatical will be to build a worship ministry that is vibrant, spiritually alert, fervent, and committed to seeing God’s purposes fulfilled through our corporate worship. The worship ministry that finds this kind of momentum will be used by God to impact the community in a powerful way.

God's Love

During my two day retreat at St. Francis retreat center I was very much invested in seeking God's will. But like God often does, He had something different in mind. I sat down at a table prepared for me and began enjoying the meal. As I was reflecting on my pursuit of God's will I suddenly was truly blessed by the pitcher of water on my table! It seems like a very simple idea as I share it, but it is a very powerful idea when I embrace it. God reminded me through a simple pitcher of ice water that His will was that I know how greatly He loves me, cares for me, and provides for me. He is the source of rest, refreshment, and life.
I decided at this meal to buy a water pitcher to have on my family's table at home. I want this water pitcher to be a reminder for my family and I, of God's love, of God's care and of God's providing life to us.