Worship - More Experiential

Ray Johnston's young leaders weigh in on ministry at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA. This is number 5 of 7.

Worship needs to be far more experiential... expect God to show up!

It's not all about the smoke, sound and lights. It's not all about picking the best songs. Worship needs to be approached with an expectation that God is going to show up and do something big... every week. Churches should set up the service with His movement in mind. Plan for it. Expect it. Watch for it.

Young leaders seem to have an almost 'child-like' faith that puts the responsibility back on God to do the 'experiential' part of the worship. I've been guilty in the past in trying to 'help' God where He might be lacking.

Do you 'experience' God in your weekly church services? Does God show up? Quite honestly, many of us might not recognize Him if He DID show up.

You Gotta Light? The X Factor Devotional - Day Twenty Six - February 15, 2010

“Why is the house of God neglected?  Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.”
Nehemiah 13:11b

When the Olympics came to America a decade ago, part of the experience was to see the Olympic flame.  At each Olympics, a flame is lit from the eternal Olympic flame in Greece and then carried to wherever the Olympics are being held.  The flame made its way to Atlanta for the opening ceremonies after traveling all over America first.

Volunteers and heroes from all over America carried the flame from place to place.  While it was passing through Tacoma, Washington, Harley Sheffield had the honor of carrying it on his bicycle.  As he was crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the expansion grates on the bridge blew a tire out on his bike.  The torch popped out of its holder, fell onto the bridge, and broke into pieces.  The Olympic flame was extinguished.

Sheffield was horrified.  They would have to go all the way back to Greece and start over again!  He would go down in history as the man who allowed the flame to go out!  His panic was unnecessary because a “mother flame” was present in a trailing van as well as a replacement torch.  Thus he could resume his duty, and the Olympic flame traveled onward.

This story provides a great illustration of our walk with God.  Too many times we stumble and allow our flame to go out.  If your flame has been doused, there is not a “mother flame” to restore it.  But there is a “Father flame” who stands ready to light your torch today, and He will keep it lit.

Prayer Focus:  Pray God will light our spiritual torches with the oil of the Holy Spirit.  Pray Impact will always be on fire for the Lord.  Ask God to make your spiritual flame burn brighter (increase your faith).  Our Scripture today tells how God enabled Nehemiah to restore the priests to their duties.  Ask Him how He can help you restore, rekindle, or resume something for Him that will give Him glory.

-          quiet time
-          tithing
-          serving
-          studying scripture
-          forgiving someone

Easter At Impact

I cannot begin to describe how amazing this past Easter at Impact was. Not only did we have a record attendance of over 1200 and enjoyed watching three baptisms - but well over a dozen (around 15 or so) gave their life to Christ for the very first time.

To say that the place was charged with energy and the Holy Spirit would be an extreme understatement. Easter is always such a great time to worship our God.

Here's the weird thing though. The SAME Holy Spirit is available and active each and every day (Sunday) in churches around the world. We don't NEED Easter to get us pumped up. We don't NEED a special day or event to connect with God.

Too often, the week after Easter is somewhat of a letdown at church. Let's not let that happen. Instead, let's worship Jesus again THIS SUNDAY with the same passion, anticipation and excitement as last Sunday. Go to church this Sunday and EXPECT God to show up!