Songs I Sang On Sunday
11.3.2008Comment
So here’s a twist on my weekly column; (that I’m not sure if anyone is reading this besides Brody or cares, but I will continue to write). Yesterday I lead worship twice. The usual morning set at Elevation Church:
Practice of the Presence – Me
Be Free to Reign – Scott Cunningham & Danny Donnelly
Give Us Clean Hands – Charlie Hall
Unchanging – Chris Tomlin
Breathe – Darlene Zschech
Come Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Redman
How Can I Keep From Singing – Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, & Ed Cash
It was fine, it was just me on acoustic, with Piano & two female vocals. It was nice. It was good. Last night I went to a potluck with my old small group and a new group that had spawned from it, and was asked to lead worship & prayer after dinner. There was about ten of us and my friend Frank brought his guitar too. It has been probably 6 months since I’ve worshipped in a small group, and I usually like to stick to familiar songs in the same key to make it easy for everyone. So we sang:
Open the Eyes of my Heart – Paul Baloche
You Alone – David Crowder
Better is One Day – Matt Redman
Some Hillsong song that Frank brought that I can’t remember.
You Never Let Go – Matt Redman
I forgot how good it is to worship so freely, away from the schedule of Sunday morning “church”. To be able to pause for open prayer, scripture reading, to lay hands on someone and pray for what they are going through was awesome. On the drive home, and sitting here right now, I am wondering how I can practically bring more of that to Sunday morning. Or just to get more of that time in my busy life. Anyone have any thoughts?
Oooh, tough question!
I’d be interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on this as well.
One thing that sticks out in my brain is something my friend Dan said, “Structure must submit to Spirit.”
I think you need both.
Structure can be great for corporate worship. I have to time my worship sets to the minute because our services have to end right on time. We do this because we have multiple services on a Sunday and not much time in between them. This system forces me to be more creative with my set list and the structure of each song in it.
Open worship is great by your self or with smaller groups of people. It can also unleash Gods creativity in you.
I think both systems can and should be spirit lead.
Damian – just came over from Body’s Twitter. I enjoyed reading about your time of worship through music this week.
I’m in the process of planting a church and we had such a great time of worship. Did a Tenth Avenue North song, “Come Away My Love.” Good stuff.
Thinking about your question, and it’s a good one…If the situation you mentioned is not the current culture of the gathering, don’t you find that sometimes we have to be very purposeful in making changes work?
I’d cast the vision with my pastor. After all, he’s got to be on board.
And what an opportunity to teach our church about the process(es) we go through whether in preparation or on the stage. I love those times of teaching, off the cuff, when things move different than planned. I embrace those as times of teaching; de-programming the monatanous routine that I sometimes roll into. It changes, it teaches, and it peels away a layer so the church can peer into how I strive for obedience during the gathering.
In the “awkward” silence, maybe we simply let them know that we’re seeking direction for the next move. Authenticity is so beautiful.
So we create the culture we desire. It separates the beliefs from the mantra.
Maybe it’s not for every week. But then there’s that one week……
But what the crap do I know? What do YOU think?
Mike in Florida
Good question! I don’t think you can do it practically because I don’t think God is practical! I don’t think God wants us to stop worshipping just because it’s 12:00! Worship was awesome yesterday and I would have loved for it to go on for a while longer. It would be nice if we could put schedules aside on Sunday and just adore our Father. But that’s something that the rest of the staff needs to be open to!