Around our house we are getting ready for the weekend. We're going to be all scattered out. The kids are going to be with uncle Jared and aunt Stefani for a couple days. April and I are going to Cincinnati, then back here for Sunday. On Sunday some Oasis people will be gathered in Cincinnati for the CIY Believe Conference while others of us will be gathered at home. It's going to be a full weekend of worship, encouragement, and challenge in both places.
It has been so refreshing to see many new faces in our gatherings and home church meetings. One thing I am constantly reminded of is the fact that worship is, in and of itself, evangelism. The outward expression of worshiping Jesus will naturally draw people to Jesus. What I mean is this... one of the best ways for an unbeliever to become a believer is to see/experience other people worshiping Jesus. Often what happens is they look around and are blown away by what they see. There is nowhere in their life where they see anything like this... a group of people singing and praying, with all their heart, body, and soul. They look at their friends who invited them to come to the gathering. And they look at a community of people who shouldn’t be together, because they don’t look alike, they aren't all in the same economic bracket, they have different interests. And from all those different people they hear one voice being lifted up to God. The presence of the Holy Spirit is there, and I believe one thing that happens is they are faced with a crisis. Their minds are in a deep place (and they like it but they don't know why). They may be thinking, “I’m encountering God right now... and... what am I going to do about it?” In that moment God meets them face to face and calls for a response. Many of you reading this have experienced God like that.
In my "seeker sensitive" days, I used to think that we shouldn't create an environment where people would have to do things that would be "unusual" for them. I mean, where else do people sing together in public, other than at a baseball game, and only then it's to the tune of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"? But now, however, my feelings are much different... that’s exactly why we should sing, why we should pray for people, why we celebrate communion, why we should baptize people. Because of MEANING... the very thing people are looking for. Meaning. It all means something. The very “oddness” of what we do is important. Community has to have its markers. So, worship is one of the major marking points of our community. Yes, it's all about God, to God, and for God. But part of being about God has to do with identifying ourselves as the church.
Why am I writing these things to you? Because I believe people in our neighborhoods and cities are looking for more than a "feel good" experience or a one-time, get some answers and go, drive-thru church experience. If they come with you to a house church meeting, or to a worship gathering, or to a conversation over coffee at a local cafe... they are anticipating something meaningful, something sacred, something that will in some way connect them with the Almighty God of the Universe... whom they may or may not even believe exists as of yet.
And it's there they continue their journey with God (God had been seeking them for some time)... but begin it in a community of love and worship.
Can't wait to spend time with my brothers and sisters at CIY this weekend. I believe it is going to be an exciting weekend, full of Praise, Worship and renewal.
Posted by: Des | February 13, 2004 at 08:36 AM
Why do churches feel the need for this type of "fluff" in their own comfort zones? It's like we are the odd ones out. Maybe that's not a good way to put it..."Seeker Sensitive" irritates me. It's like putting half water and half apple juice in a cup. The full effect will never be tasted, but a bitter taste will be left in your mouth.
Posted by: Heather | February 13, 2004 at 11:05 AM
Praying for those of you traveling to CIY! I know you will all come home filled with the enthusiasm for the Lord after you attend His big Pep rally -- conferences always leave you on fire!!! Praying that the fire and the "high" from this conference stay with you.....as we dicussed in house church -- we NEVER have to come down from the high that we get from our Savior and Friend!!!! WOW!! Wish I were going too! Have fun!!! Be blessed!
Posted by: Lisa M | February 13, 2004 at 11:07 AM
Heather:
Chill....... I don't consider gathering with other brothers and sisters in Christ for a time of worship and praise to be "Fluff". We draw strength from being together, and worshiping God corporately. It's nice to take a couple of days from your normal routine, and just sit at Jesus' feet and "soak" in His goodness. This is not making us the odd person out, but giving us a break, so that we can BE the Church in the real world, and that is a Good thing....
Posted by: Des | February 13, 2004 at 02:56 PM
I may be wrong but I don't think Heather was saying that what you're doing this weekend is "fluff". I read it to mean the "seeker sensitive" thing that Chris talked about irritates her and she was calling IT fluff.
Just the way I read it.
Posted by: Steve | February 13, 2004 at 03:24 PM
I am 99% certain that what Heather was referring to was the "seeker sensitive" fluff... not the conferences, retreats, etc.
I think she was just bouncing off of my original post, and instead Des may have thought she was reacting to his comment.
Posted by: chris | February 13, 2004 at 03:30 PM
another note on "seeker sensitive"... I had a friend email me today and said he just had a conversation with a couple of worship pastors who led congregations that would be considered "seeker sensitive." When they asked him about Oasis and about how we do worship, they couldn't believe that we would spend so much time in such intense worship and seriousness every time we gathered. They said that unbelievers would feel lost,confused, etc. in that enviroment.
I'm okay to agree to disagree with that perspective. I think that is a low, shallow, insulting view of people who are not believers in Christ. My opinion is that the seeker sensitive movement has taken the power out of God's hands and said, "Here, we have a better way. Sometimes you can come on much too strong, God. We need to start people out easy in our culture."
I believe it's just the opposite.
"MEANING" the word of the week.
Posted by: chris | February 13, 2004 at 03:41 PM