I’ve been thinking about ministry and prayer (essentials red)

“For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging worship studies, St Stephen’s University, Essentials Red online Worship History course with Dan Wilt”

What truth!  What power!  “The early church only had 1 ministry..the ministry of Jesus” [1].  How fantastic.  In a culture that finds its identity in titles and job descriptions, what change would this bring?  Instead of “I’m in the worship ministry” … “I’m in the prayer ministry” …”I’m in the coffee or set up ministry” we are all part of the Jesus Ministry!

We are all 1!  We all are pulling together, all heading in the same direction!  How amazing would this be if we all bought into it?  What service, what sacrifice!

I loved Dan Wilt’s description of the Jewish tradition.  That the people continually converse with God and that scriptures would be studied and memoriezed.  As far as personal growth, healing and empowering goes, I can’t think of a better formula or “5 step program” to implement.

Imagine walking with God through the everyday.  Imagine God speaking into the everyday.  Can you see how the Holy Spirit could teach you different ways of responding to situations… how you could release situations and intercede into circumstances?  Can you imagine God empowering you with compassion, with boldness, with a word of knowledge?

I’m convinced that we don’t see God move as much as what we’d like because we don’t look for Him, invite Him, hear Him and follow Him moment by moment, day by day.

[1] Video: Week two: Dan Wilt – History of Worship Prehistory to New Testament

a great dichotomy

When you think of the term “celebrate”, what images come to mind, what feelings does it evoc?  For me, words like fun, good times, laughter, excitement, anticipation all come to mind.  The words remorse and solemn don’t seem to fit…

I heard the term “Eucharist (communion) celebration” during the week [1] and I’m kind of stuck on it like when you walk through cordial spilt on the floor. I don’t think I can remember ever celebrating communion.  I’ve observed, participated, been remorseful and repentant – but never celebrated it.

I wonder if God celebrates it?  Obviously there was pain and anguish experienced, but knowing what would be accomplished through this does God rejoice in the relationship with us that was made possible through the pain and anguish?  Is there regret?

I’ve heard on occasions where mothers put their own lives at risk for the sake of their unborn child, and sometimes ending in their death.  What mix of emotions must the fathers experience?  The incredible anguish of losing their partner, is it matched by the joy of the new life that has been produced?

And what about the child as they realised their mother’s sacrifice?  Can they truly be comfortable with their life knowing that it was at the cost of their parents’ death? Is it selfish to enjoy life? Is there survivor guilt?  Surely the answer should be NO – even though it is a possibility.

I am becoming more and more convinced that communion is something we should party over rather than mourn.  Even as I’m writing this it doesn’t sit 100% with me, but I think it’s right.  I don’t think God has ever regretted for a second the choice he/they made to die on the cross for our sin.

“I’ve been thinking about history (essentials red)

“For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging worship studies, St Stephen’s University, Essentials Red online Worship History course with Dan Wilt”

I must confess that as I’ve been reading the Ancient-Future Time book that I’ve been skeptical to say the least.  My general internal response to the encouragements to say certain prayers at certain times and go through various rituals is one of defensiveness and retreat.  I feel alien – I can’t connect…

But I suspect that’s the point.  It’s about learning to connect with these things, these seasons of the Christian faith, and ultimately connecting with God.  If nothing else going through this course has given me a greater understanding as to not only what, but WHY rituals are done.

I have been left pondering more about the role of the Worship Artisan as Dan calls it.  My main thought stream has to do with the generations.  I know how that culture and blessing (and cursing) can get passed on from one generation to the next, but it seems that culture is changing before our eyes.  Can the foundations that we pour now truly be built on and remain for 50 or 100 years or more?  Who knows?

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