As a “Production Director” for a “Mega Church”… There are specific things you pray for. The prayer that has been on my heart for the past year has been for Sandals Church to get the concept of worship.
I’ve posted past blogs about it… And a lot of heartache has taken place on Sunday as my bands have gotten on stage, given it their all… And the congregation has barely responded.
It’s pretty apparent that people show up for the message, and stand it through the worship part of the service.
Often, I stand in the back and wonder if they are playing to a bunch of zombies. No one seems alive… Except for a few people, like “Hallelujah Guy” or the random “choir members” that are spread out throughout our sanctuary that sometimes sings back-up for our worship leader from their seats.
From a production stand point, we try to make our service as legit as possible… Because our church is built on being real in various aspects of our lives.
So with this statement in mind, “Being real with ourselves, others, and God”, why are people so afraid to worship…. To sing… To move… To get on your knees… To fall flat on their faces…. To cry out to a very real God who desires us??
But.
Just when my pleads for Sandals Church to show up were growing weary… Something happened.
Sunday was an overwhelming day. A very educational day. A very emotional day.
Not only did the people of Sandals Church show up… But The Holy Spirit did too… And He responded to us.
Not in a creepy, cult like way… We don’t do that. I’m not down for that. But in the real sense… The way we should worship God with our entire lives.
It was like we caught His attention because we took our worship to another level.
God taught me that if I show up… He will too. In fact, He’s been waiting for me most of the time cause He’s always there.
I feel like Sunday, God was like, “Pen, I’m gonna challenge you on everything you’ve learned this year… And you need to let me move.”
Umm. Ok.
(On another note, I don’t know if God really calls me Pen… I just like to think we are close like that! lol I’ll just go with it…)
As a leader, you need to be sensitive to how God wants to run His church. And if our pastor or worship leader feels something needs to be changed- something taken out, rearranged, or added- that’s when I have to put the new plan in place, update everyone on the change(s), pray everything turns out ok, then step back and let God do what He wants.
That was Sunday.
Some people are usually engaged. And some people stand around, not paying attention, looking pissed off. If you are a follower of Christ, why?! Why is this ok?! And of all things, why sit so close to the stage if you are going to disengage?!
“We worship because worship is war for your soul.” - Pastor Matt Brown
Reverence. Respect.
Psalm 95:6
We have the audacity to stand and try to look God face to face. US! People that can’t even save themselves… We are saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ… And we think we can stand emotionless to a song that was written for the purpose of praising the Creator of the Universe!
After the message on Sunday… Sandals Church was like a whole new place! As the day went on… Every service brought it! Especially 7 o’clock.
I was speechless.
I had tears in my eyes.
I leaned over so I could catch a breathe because I was that overwhelmed.
That response… was incredible! That is one of the reasons why I love what I do!
And that is forever in Sandals Church history.
This week doesn’t have to trump last week… There should be no comparison. I would just like people to show up and have a real encounter with their Creator…
And to live out our vision… Please don’t come to church being fake. Thanks!
