Church of Abundant Life Worship Team
By Derek Larkin, Worship Ministry Leader, January 2009
Richard Foster says in The Celebration of Discipline:
"Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father. Its central reality is found 'in Spirit and in Truth'. It is kindled within us only when the Spirit of God touches our human Spirit. Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the formal disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods, we can have the best possible liturgy (a form and arrangement of public worship laid down by a church or religion) but, we have not worshiped the Lord until Spirit touches Spirit. Singing, praying, praising, all may lead to worship, but worship is more than any of them. Our spirit must be ignited by divine fire."
One theme that has become evident in my life this past year is the recognition that God has gone before me. Like David, going into battle with the simplest things, five smooth stones and a leather sling – unburdened with weapons and armor of false hope, he too recognized that God had gone before him. And the interesting thing about David’s battle with Goliath is that God used David’s seemingly useless talent of accuracy with his sling – plus his faith, to bring down a stronghold, overtake an entire nation – and even lift up another nation. You see … when Almighty God goes before you, He uses whatever talents you may have – plus your faith, to do the impossible. I love that God has used the talents of our worship team to facilitate true, unhindered worship at COAL this past year.
We defined the mission for our ministry in 2007 and this remained the focus of our activities throughout 2008: To see the lost come to a saving knowledge of Christ by using our gifts and talents to create an atmosphere for the Spirit of the Lord to work in our lives.
This mission also includes:
– Nurturing Worshipers
– Helping worshipers experience God and the fullness of His Spirit
– Being a ‘doorkeeper’
– Encouraging the congregation to lay aside every weight and sin that would hinder them from entering into worship
– Facilitating Growth
• Personal: Admonish, encourage and challenge the congregation to grow in their personal relationship with Christ and make worship a lifestyle.
• Collective: Facilitate growth in the collective act of worship.
Our team has grown spiritually over the past year. We are smaller now than when we began 2008, but these challenges have taught us a tremendous amount about ministry and service – and God’s faithfulness to us. As Foster said “Singing, praying, praising, all may lead to worship, but worship is more than any of them.” Our prayer for this ministry is to help the Church of Abundant Life family experience the fullness of God – Spirit touching Spirit – so that healing, restoration, repentance and renewal can happen through our worship. And our desire to be more like Jesus would result in our transformation into a new creation where we will see the lost and dying world and do something about it, instead of being self absorbed or defeated. I believe when we worship – God goes before us.
