A friend on Facebook recently wrote “God made His holy presence so evident in worship last evening; Overwhelmed, speechless, humbled, thrilled.” – and I really *really* want that for our church congregation. I don’t envision going into the wacky realms of dancing in the isles, but I get discouraged when I see the bored look on people’s faces.
First, I want to make sure that there’s nothing I’m doing that is preventing them entering into the throne room. The spiritual responsibility in leading people cannot be minimised, but that’s not the whole story. Second, I can’t expect them to worship in a way that’s approved or prescribed by me. It’s arrogant to think I have a monopoly on the right way to worship. If people are bored, what can we do to help pull them out of boredom?
Recently I bought a Ukulele. I have considered using this instead of my guitar to lead, but am concerned it would be seen as gimmicky. If people are distracted by what I’m playing, they’re not seeking God. The next step in my thinking was to do away with all the instruments, a bit like Matt Redman’s church around the time he wrote When the Music Fades (I urge you to read: http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-matt-redmans-the-heart-of-worship-1253122.html) and that’s something I intend to explore further.
It’s hard to change people from the front. It’s easier to change them when you have relationship with them. God has led me to consider getting to know everyone’s name in church so I can begin to build relationship. Maybe when I do something a little out there, the relationship will be in place for them to understand my motives and feel comfortable to follow.