Tag Archives: worship

Worshipping in Great Buildings

  By Andy | November 2, 2011 - 9:30 pm |
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I’m happy to worship pretty much anywhere: in halls, tents, front rooms, shopping malls… the location doesn’t tend to hinder my ability to worship.

That said, I’ve sometimes been in places where I’ve thought “Wow! This would make a great place to worship God.”

The last time I had the experience was when I went to a ‘private’ Robert Plant gig in Central London. We entered St Mark’s Church (One Mayfair) to experience an intimate gig celebrating Plant’s new “Band of Joy” album.

The music was good, but what struck me most was the awe-inspiring sound that echoed around that place. I’m not sure how much of it was down to the mix itself, and how much to the awesome history that building must have seen. How, before it was used by a veteran rock star, it saw praises rising to God.

As Robert sang “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” I realised that I’d adore to fill these kinds of buildings — originally built for and to the glory of God but so often sadly neglected or but a pale reflection of their former glory — with impassioned songs of worship once again.

I know many great churches and cathedrals still raise great streams of praise and worship. How amazing would it be for every such building to be used for its original purpose once again.

Worship Leading Is Not A Hobby

  By Andy | October 27, 2011 - 9:30 pm |
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Make no mistake. When you start leading worship you instantly make yourself a bigger target for the enemy.

If you agree to “just play a few songs on the guitar to help the church out” you could be letting yourself in for a mighty shock if you don’t take things seriously.

When you get involved in any form of leadership, however formal the arrangement is, you take on a new stature in the Kingdom of God.

What to you might seem like “playing a few songs” or “helping out because no-one else can do it” is in fact a battle cry.

I don’t write this to shock you out of using your musical gifts and talents, but to make you aware that any form of worship leading — whether it’s in front of ten people or ten thousand — is a serious business.

We are all called to worship God. Anyone who helps people come into God’s presence is both privileged and targeted.

If you are not prepared to examine your life and motives, to constantly lay yourself open before God, to worship Him exuberantly and consistently, and to ensure you are fully armoured, covered and protected by Him, then you should really lay down your instrument now and not put yourself at heightened risk.

I’m all for people serving where there is need, but you had better be sure of your calling to serve as a worship leader. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself under increased attack as you step out into worship ministry.

Lay down pride, ambition and a desire to be noticed. That’s not why you’re a worship leader. Your role is to point others to God, not to you or your band.

If you don’t take this awesome privilege and honour seriously, someone is going to get hurt. You’ll be taken out of action because you didn’t commit yourself to God. Or you’ll be a distraction and hindrance to other people as they seek to worship.

Be a worshipper first, and let your worship leading flow from that. Don’t try to do this in your own strength.

In case you’re feeling a little deflated after reading this, let me finish by saying that it’s OK to enjoy worship ministry. God loves His children to worship creatively and spontaneously. Always remember who you’re doing this for and you won’t go wrong.

Get Up Quickly!

  By Andy | October 26, 2011 - 9:30 pm |
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As we drive forward, aspiring that our lives be more Christlike, we are bound to face obstacles and give in to temptations.

The closer we come to God, the more obedient we are, the more we seek His presence and strive to do His will, the more we see our own inadequacies.

At times when we were far from God — or at least, we felt far from God — it seemed that only the ‘big’ sins caused us to repent. (I know that all sin is the same in God’s eyes, but as humans we do tend to grade it according to how bad we think it must look to God and to others.)

Yet as we draw closer to God, we become aware of how certain issues which once seemed OK are now under the microscope. As we think we have conquered the “big” sins (or at least, they’re mostly under control), along come a whole bunch of “little” sins to take their place.

The more we seek to please God and to live the way He intended, the more issues we see in our lives.

When that “big” sin was prevalent in our lives, the “little” sins continued but didn’t seem to be an issue.

Now, every harsh word or thought or deed comes to bite us. At least, we see how far short of God’s standard we fall.

The solution? Repent, worship, move on!

When (not if) we sin, don’t wallow in guilt. Come to God, say sorry, pray that you’ll be stronger the next time temptation comes along, and worship Him.

Immerse yourself in his presence.

Ephesians 4 is a great chapter to read if you want a snapshot of all the things you should and shouldn’t be doing. Yet it’s not a set of rules for their own sake, but rather the best way of living for God and in harmony with others.

As verse 27 says, it’s important that we “do not give the devil a foothold”. There is nothing the enemy would like more than to derail believers, particularly those who are on fire for the kingdom and in positions of leadership and influence.

We all sin and fall short of God’s glory. His desire is that we keep short accounts with Him and continue to dwell in His presence.

When you’re knocked down, get up quickly!

Alone With God

  By Andy | October 24, 2011 - 9:23 pm |
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“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 (NIV)

There’s something special about getting up early and spending time alone with God in a place where no-one else is.

I wish I could do it more often, because when I do I feel more able to engage with God, to worship, praise and pray.

I don’t think the morning is any more spiritual than any other time, but being up and in communion with our creator God before most of the surrounding world is awake and starting to bustle certainly has its advantages.

Let’s face it: if Jesus did it then it’s certainly something we should consider doing too.

I love being able to retreat from the noise and hubbub of humanity at least once a day, yet in our increasingly 24/7 existence that can be difficult to achieve.

Even if people aren’t making noise, their creations are — cars, trains and planes rumble; radios, TVs and web sites chatter away; electrical installations hum and burble.

Having the opportunity to escape somewhere where human noises decrease and nature’s sounds increase is a wonderful privilege, and one I never tire of.

Even in the deepest urban jungle, it’s possible (albeit with some sacrifice) to find a time and place where a portion of the natural world can break through.

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” expresses the wonders of God’s creation and how it inspires us to worship.

The stars, the mighty thunder, the woods and forest glades, the singing birds, the mountains, the brooks and the gentle breeze… all these natural wonders causes the believer’s soul to sing.

Having recently moved to Wales, I’m so fortunate that I can find a quiet place in the hills within ten minutes’ walk of my home.

Where can you go to engage with God without the distractions of everyday life?

You might be fortunate enough to have a place in your own home where you can retreat to and not be disturbed. Perhaps your garden is a sanctuary. How about a local park, the beach, a hill or a river?

While we can remain in relationship with God throughout the day, and communicate with Him in so many different ways and even amid busyness, there’s something precious about dedicating a portion of time to retreating from the world and being alone with God.