Real Worship

For some reason, this kept churning over on the inside of me; the more I thought about it, the more I began to think that God’s plan, His heart, His desire has always been for relationship.  Not only that, but the characteristics, the hallmarks, the very essence of the relationship we’ve been called into with Father Son & Holy Spirit is supposed to infuse & to permeate our relationships with each other.  In John 17:22 Jesus Himself prayed to Father asking, “…that they may be one as we are one”.

In my reading, I was drawn to books that spoke on the subject; books like, “Authentic Relationships” (Wayne & Clay Jacobsen), “Loving Our Kids On Purpose” (Danny Silk) & “Becoming A True Spiritual Community” (Larry Crabb).

Last Sunday in Exeter I got to share some of what God’s been saying to me about it.  Rather than posting the usual style “Sunday Set List”, I thought I’d put up a recording of what I said…

God With Us – Mike Ellis

Writing a Sunday Set List post has got me thinking about the criteria I use for gauging the “success” (or not) of a particular worship service.  Of course, any evaluation is going to be subjective; but, why is it that on one occassion, I can say, “That was good, we met with God today” and on another, “It didn’t go well this week”?  What measuring stick am I using?  Against what am I comparing?

I then began to think about the perspectives of  others, how they might differ.  So, I thought I would ask the question; I’m curious.  What does a successful worship service look like – for you?  What specifically has to happen in order for you to meet together with a group of believers & come away knowing you’ve encountered God?

There is a whole raft of possible criteria.  Is it conneted to the style of the service itself e.g. open & participatory, or led from the front?  Does the tempo or the style of music have a bearing on your definition?  Perhaps more or fewer songs, or liturgy…  or is it something else entirely.  You get the picture.

I’m also intrigued to discover whether there is any correlation between a person’s role or function during worship & their perception of its’ success or their criteria for measuring it.

So, when you leave a comment giving your definition of a successful worship service, please state what role or function you fulfill during worship (these will vary according to your style of service) i.e. whether you play/lead in the band, read scripture etc., or perhaps, you have no specific function.

Join the discussion!

"The Shack" by William P Young

Over the last few months, a growing number of friends have been asking, “Have you read The Shack yet?”  Well, now I have!  (Actually I’ve “listened” to the shack – having downloaded the audiobook.)

Without wishing to divulge too much of the plot, the story follows a man called Mack who, after experiencing a tragedy, gets an invite to meet with “Pappa” (his wife’s name for God) at the shack.  Though the setting and storyline are ficticious, the author (Wm Paul Young) has drawn on his own experiences and the questions & conversations that occur are, in his words, “very real”.

It is a beautifully written piece of literature that takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride through a myriad of emotions.  It is an allegory, a modern-day parable that explores and reveals the nature and heart of God.  It isn’t systematic theology (and doesn’t pretend to be), but it isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions like, “Where were You in all of this…?”

There have been few books that have impacted  me like this one has.  I found myself gripped – not wanting to stop listening and excitedly looking forward to each opportunity to listen some more.  It has not only had a profound impact on me, but on every person I’ve spoken to who has read it – spawning hours of conversation and debate.

It has been an uncannily timely “coincidence” that this book should come across my path at this juncture.  As a church, we have spent at least the last year rediscovering God, His love and His grace.  He has been systematically dismantling our preconceptions about the way in which we relate to Him (& others); unearthing and dealing with our religion and revealing His heart for relationship.

You may ask yourself why I would wish to write about this book here;  I mean, it isn’t about worship… is it?  All I can say is that reading The Shack has acted like a catalyst – rekindling a passion long forgotten, renewing a first love experience and causing a growing desire to know, by experience, so much more of God.  After all, worship is expressed in and through relationship, not through rituals and ceremony.

If you have not yet read “The Shack”, I would encourage you to either click here (or the picture above) and read excerpts from the book; then, go out and buy yourself a copy.  For those who have read the book, I would love to hear your thoughts about it.  What has it meant to you?  How did it make you feel?  Do you have any stories to tell as a result?

Please, feel free to comment…

I can’t remember where I first heard this expression, but it’s one that has stuck!

I was sat in my lounge recently – with my guitar, worshipping – just me & God. During that time, I was gently reminded again of why it is I do what I do; you see, I had forgotten.

There is a lot of preparation that goes into a Sunday service; choosing the songs, communicating the list with the rest of the team, practicing the arrangements; then getting to church early, setting up the stage, PA & instruments, tuning & sound checking, then final rehearsals; all before we pray & get changed, ready to start the worship service.

Of course, once the service starts there is a whole new set of “balls to juggle”; listening to God (trying to find the “flow”), communicating any spontaneous changes in song structure with the rest of the band (as they happen), trying to ensure the congregation know where we’re going; making sure the children leave in time for their ministry & worship is finished to give the Senior Pastor (or whoever’s preaching) their allotted time.

In amongst all of the mechanics of making a Sunday service happen, I had lost my primary focus. So, as I sat in my lounge with my guitar, worshipping with tears on my face, I remembered that first & foremost, my worship is “for the audience of One“, that is Jesus Christ.

I want to encourage you (whatever your involvement in the worship service), to never lose site of why you are there, or who it is you’re there for. Let your entire service overflow from the abundance of having spent time with Him. To those involved in leading worship especially, begin by leading your own heart – at home, when no-one else is looking. So that whether you find yourself “all alone, or in a crowd”, your worship will primarily be “for the audience of One“.