There is a level of excitement, passion and anticipation
that is like an undercurrent of electricity every time we walk through the
doors here in Elgin. It is
something we can feel and even see when we lock eyes with others.
Today we started with some stirring worship led by
Brenton Brown. That stirring isn’t just
the number of people singing. There
is something that people bring with them that builds when we are here
together. I overheard people from
all over the world saying a number of times that it is a sense of family and
unity. It is a knowing we are part
of a movement of God, being part of something bigger than what God is doing
among us just in Barrie or some of the other places.
Perhaps Pastor James captured it when he spoke of being a vertical
church. Being the kind of
church where the glory of God is on display. We are looking at the nuts and bolts of being that kind of
church. It is refreshing and
exhilarating to go over this ground again. It isn’t new ground.
It includes:
unapologetic preaching
unashamed adoration
unceasing
prayer
unwavering witness
uncommon community
These are the things we have been striving for in Barrie for
10 years. These are the things our
hearts long for and what the hearts of those we are trying to reach with the
gospel long for.
This is why we will be a vertical church. It is what we are called to. It is what the church is designed
for. It is what the world
needs. It is something we can give
our lives to. Can’t wait to bring
it home again!
Roger
P.S. - We were also excited to connect with the new worship director for Harvest Barrie, Jordan Donald!
Roving Reporters
From the Assimilation Track:
Inspiring worship, leadership and teaching sessions! Encouraging mentoring with a focus on highly effective planning to assist people in connecting within the church from walking through the door for the first time to walking with and serving the Lord!
From the High Impact Worship Track:
We learned about seven ingredients to high impact worship today. They include:
Hitting a "five" song (focusing on God rather than us)
Singing songs from your community
Including spirit songs (familiar chorus in tender part of service)
Special elements (scripture, choir, baptism)
Sing new songs
Variety is key
Special songs (being back old favorites, done before the message)
All of these things promote an environment of the kind of worship we're aiming for: God-glorifying worship.