There was a freedom that I had not experienced since arriving at FBC. It was evident the Holy Spirit was moving; people lifting hands, eyes closed, singing at the top of their voices. God gave us an added blessing as a girl with Down's Syndrome spontaneously came to the edge of the stage and shared her version of "sign language." It was her way. No one freaked out or looked around as if to say, "Someone get this girl under control." In fact, it was met with warmth and tears. There was an innocence about it that made it pure.
A woman knelt in the aisle and lifted her hands in worship as we sang the words, "Savior, He can move the mountains, our God is mighty to save..."
There were moments at the end of singing when it seemed proper and worshipful to wait on God, listen, and wait longer. It was not manipulated. It was completely unscripted and God-honoring. Time, schedule, and "flow in worship" did not matter. To interrupt the Spirit's move would only have served to get in His way.
I've experienced moments like this personally and privately, but as a lead worshipper these are the seasons I pray for and ask the Spirit to bring to the church.
As a 58-year-old worship leader my convictions continue to be affirmed that performance-driven worship is an exercise in futility. It is an entertaining, singular event, that craves attention for itself. It's like a cruise ship with an entertaining crew, dream destination, and great view . . . but no engine. You can gage it by what people say after worship: it focuses on the singer, the band, that "new song", the guitarist, talent, and set design.
Authentic worship seeks the gaze of God, asking Him to restore our purity and passion. Period.
As a worshipper, my goal has never been to fit into the "mission and vision" of a particular church. Too small. My pursuit is higher. My aim is loftier. I will not be put off, turned out, detoured, or denied. My mission and vision are global and greater -
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